Wilderness Survival 101

  • kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    October 5, 2011 at 6:54 pm #207162

    I’m looking for a good read(lots of pictures for my SD education) about surviving in the wilderness. What tools should a person always have? How to use them? What grows in the wild that a person could eat and survive on? First aid?

    I don’t have any wilderness hunts planned right now, but after spending some time in the north woods it got me to thinking. What would happen if I did have to spend a night or two in the woods. Would I be prepared?

    As I think about some future hunts out west in the mountains, I think it will be invaluable to have these skills honed prior to needing them. Where have you guys learned Survival 101??

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22538
    October 5, 2011 at 7:11 pm #111690

    Survivorman One time, I got stranded up north and had to stay at a Motel 6….

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18715
    October 5, 2011 at 7:17 pm #111691

    Getting lost in this state would likely only require shelter and warmth. This assuming you dont panic. Water would be nice but chances are you will be found within a few days max. Food not necessary. I’ve had this book for years called, “How to stay alive in the woods” by Bradford Angier. Good read on the subject.

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    October 5, 2011 at 7:18 pm #111692

    Smart man for looking into this. As part of several wilderness first responder training units out in Yellowstone, I can say you probably possess most of the skills and knowledge already! The basic food, water, shelter (warmth) are the biggies, but maybe more important than that is mindset. Food is tough, because it’s so localized. What’s edible in the mountains at 4k feet, is far different than what’s at 8k feet. Not to mention, species and ranges vary throughout the west. We were always told to worry about food last, as you can survive quite sometime without it, especially as being rescued is usually your best strategy.

    There’s a number of good survival guides out there, but so many are either specialized to specific areas, or they’re way over the top. Sorry I can’t be of more help, but stick to the basics in terms of both advice and tools when you’re reading up, and I think you’ll be covered.

    Joel

    mike_j
    Nashua Iowa
    Posts: 754
    October 5, 2011 at 7:39 pm #111695

    I have the same book called How to stay alive in the woods by Brad Angier. It does have good info But is dated. I think the copyright is 1956. I keep it in my hunting pack and read it on slow days in the tree stand.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18715
    October 5, 2011 at 7:57 pm #111699

    Quote:

    I have the same book called How to stay alive in the woods by Brad Angier. It does have good info But is dated. I think the copyright is 1956. I keep it in my hunting pack and read it on slow days in the tree stand.

    Rabbit starvation is real dammit!!!!

    eye-full
    Waterloo,Ia,USA
    Posts: 660
    October 6, 2011 at 1:43 am #111719

    Quote:

    Survivorman One time, I got stranded up north and had to stay at a Motel 6….


    You didn’t see Bear Grylls there did you?

    eye-full
    Waterloo,Ia,USA
    Posts: 660
    October 6, 2011 at 1:45 am #111720

    “The SAS Survival Handbook” by John Wiseman
    It has alot of pictures and covers alot of different areas.
    Also BushcraftUSA forum has some good stuff on it.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22538
    October 6, 2011 at 11:45 am #111751

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Survivorman One time, I got stranded up north and had to stay at a Motel 6….


    You didn’t see Bear Grylls there did you?

    Yep… he was all alone…..well, other than his film crew of 7 others…

    walleyebuster5
    Central MN
    Posts: 3916
    October 6, 2011 at 5:03 pm #111772

    I’m sure the list could be a mile long.. But I always have a lighter and matches with me whereever I go. Usually the weapon with me will work for the food part. BUT the rescue will be helped with the forest fire I build once I really start to panic!

    sam_schilling
    Byron, Mn
    Posts: 7
    October 6, 2011 at 6:38 pm #111779

    Hey Kooty,
    Come on back up and spend some time at the shack with me. Have tons of books and supplies.
    Bic lighter, ferrocerium rod and steel and always have enough beer!!

    eye-full
    Waterloo,Ia,USA
    Posts: 660
    October 7, 2011 at 3:02 pm #111808

    I carry a little kit I put together just in case. People say it can never happen to me but it’s better to be safe then sorry. I carry it with me when I go out, small eneough it’s not in the way. If it’s warmer I’ll just take the tin. If nothing else carry a Ferrocerium Rod and striker, some Vasline soaked cottoon balls (what’s in the tinfoil). They take a spark nice and burn when wet and burn long, plus the vasline can be used as an antiseptic.

    Also carry super glue to seal cuts and other things. The most important one is knowledge, practice useing these things before your life depends on it.



    eye-full
    Waterloo,Ia,USA
    Posts: 660
    October 7, 2011 at 3:07 pm #111809

    I also carry everyday with me a swiss army knife with a saw blade in it. Have some hemp rope lashed on there which can be used to take a spark from a Ferrocerium Rod which is also in the case with the knife. Ready to go fire kit.

    May never need it but good to have if you do. I also learned how to start fire with two sticks .

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