Living in the bush can simplify down to four priorities. To survive, you’ll need to know about constructing a shelter, building a fire, finding food and water, and defense against any possible threats.
That’s where Bushcraft comes in. This skill is a great way to expand your view of your surroundings and learn how to construct whatever you need from whatever nature has to offer.
What Is The Difference Between Bushcraft and Survival?
Unlike survival skills, bushcraft is all about learning how to live in the wilderness comfortably. With Survival, it’s all about getting back to civilization as quickly and as safely as possible. The skills from both do overlap in some areas in terms of their technical requirements, but when it comes to the reason for applying those skills, they tend to show their differences.
Survival often teaches you to work with whatever you can find if you were to be caught in a natural disaster of some kind such as a plane crash or boat wreck. Bushcraft teaches you ways in which you can use man-made tools to replicate items you may need to survive using natural resources.
In summary, Bushcraft is generally about enjoying living remotely in nature and lacks the impending doom that Survival often revolves around. The first thing you will learn is that it is best to appreciate nature when seeking a life outdoors and leave little to no trace of your activities.
Why Should You Learn Bushcraft?
If you are interested in learning survival techniques, expanding your knowledge by looking into bushcraft will do no harm.
In this day and age, we tend to disconnect from nature and become consumed by modern technology and urban life in the cities. Bushcraft is all about the exploration and appreciation of the natural world. For our ancestors, the forest was their supermarket, DIY shop, and chemist all wrapped into one. It was all about knowing what to look for, where to get it, and when.
By learning about the various trees, plants, and animals that we share this planet with, you’ll start to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for some of the fantastic treasure mother nature has provided us with.
How Do You Practice Bushcraft Skills?
When living in the modern world, it can be challenging to balance the responsibilities you have regarding work and family with your passion for things such as bushcraft and survival. Most of us work jobs with long hours that don’t leave much time for hobbies.
You can’t always trek to your nearest woodlands or forest and practice your bushcraft skills when you have a hectic schedule or demanding friends and family. Luckily for you, bushcraft requires as little as a small patch of grass in your backyard. You can learn how to make your fire pit, get a fire going and sharpen your knives all from the comfort of your own backyard.
Please take a look at some of my resources to learn more about some of the best bushcraft gear including the best bushcraft knife to purchase, as well as the perfect bushcraft backpack for all of your adventures.
What Is The Difference Between Camping and Bushcraft?
For the older generations, there may be very few differences between how camping used to be and the art of bushcraft. Old-time camping used tents made from tightly woven cotton required you to fashion useful gadgets with your ax and prepare food over a campfire.
In a way, bushcraft is quite similar to the traditional camping ways but still has a bigger emphasis on using nature to your advantage while leaving minimal trace of any activities behind. Bushcraft aims to mimic survival situations rather than a lovely family holiday in nature.
Unlike the traditional style of camping, bushcraft doesn’t rely on food running out or resources becoming depleted. With this form of camping, you can stay in the wild for as long as you feel without needing to return to civilization to stock up on things. You’ll learn how to create everything from scratch using various pieces of bushcraft gear and natural materials.
What Is Bushcraft Camping?
Bushcraft revolves heavily around learning to appreciate and adapt to nature. Those taking part in this activity will be exposed to nature in a very different way to someone who goes camping with the whole family and a trailer full of resources.
With bushcraft camping, you will learn how to survive and work in harmony with nature’s beautiful presence. When you decide to return to civilization, you will leave feeling more appreciative of the wild and the outdoor world. This form of camping provides the perfect balance between enjoying the outdoors and modern-day living and enables even the busiest of business people some time with nature.
How Do I Start Bushcraft?
If bushcraft sounds like something you’d be interested in learning about, there are many ways in which you can introduce yourself to the craft. Start by going on a camping trip. Teach yourself how to start a fire without a lighter or any matches and make a shelter using nothing but the resources around you. Brush up on your knowledge of basic wild food next time you have a lunch break or go for a hike at the weekend.
There are so many ways to get better acquainted with nature, and Bushcraft will show you the best ways to appreciate, adapt and make use of all that mother nature has provided. Spend some time in your backyard with the family and try out a few Bushcraft projects. Once you feel that you have a better understanding of the craft, you can arrange outings to the local forest for some informative family fun in nature.
