Wilderness Skills

The extreme cold temperatures of winter add a new element of challenge when things go wrong and you need to survive. If you are in an emergency situation in winter, either stranded in your house...

A rivet on a canoe is a bolt used to join two pieces of metal together. This is done by pushing the shank (or straight) part of the rivet through a hole in each piece of the metal, and then...

Building your own mountain bike trail is a very rewarding process. Not only will you enjoy the satisfaction of working with your hands, you will have created a quick getaway to pursue your true...

Seasoning firewood is another term for removing all moisture from the firewood. When moisture is removed from firewood, the heating efficiency of the wood increases. Also, seasoned firewood is not...

In its most basic form, orienteering is the art of reading a map and using a compass. Commonly, orienteering involves hiking over varying terrain to a predetermined destination without the aid of...

Although slightly less powerful than a traditional longbow, a flat bow is smaller and easier to build. The ease with which such a bow can be constructed, in addition to its smaller size, makes a...

Few items from medieval history have captured the public's imagination quite like the English longbow. From its pivotal role in the Battle of Crecy to its status as Robin Hood's weapon of choice,...

Military issue lensatic compasses continue to be an important part of a soldier's kit. The deep well dial design remains accurate in both hemispheres of the world. Designs have improved many times...

Whether it be walking, biking, driving or running, off roading in the wilderness can have a negative effect on the well-being of the wildlife. The negative effects can include killing animals,...

Nalgene bottles are odor free, durable and reusable water containers. These three features make them just as popular for home life as they are in the outdoors. Unfortunately, unless you own a...

This article will tell you how to keep dry when hiking on your next vacation outdoors.

When you are in the field you may frequently be working around water. While beautiful in its many forms (lakes, streams, ponds, waterfalls) and essential to life, water can be dangerous. Know...

Nearly one hundred people are killed each year from lightning strikes. So even though your odds of being struck by lighting are low, it doesn’t hurt to know a few simple tips to help you stay...

Body temperature is a measure of metabolism, the rate at which the body’s processes occur. Your normal internal body temperature is 98.6 degrees. If the core area surrounding the vital organs...

The plight of a family was recently highlighted when they were lost in the wilderness for three days after parking their car at the side of the road and walking into the woods to cut down a...

Your job may take you to some beautiful and remote areas in the great outdoors. Although this can be an enjoyable and invigorating way to earn a paycheck, it may also be dangerous. Nature is...

While those shiny silver survival blankets look like nothing more than huge sheets of aluminum foil, they are actually made of a metalized plastic film called Mylar. The material was originally...

The modern muzzleloader is the product of trial and error over the centuries. It resembles its forebears in loading and basic firing characteristics, but is very different from the first matchlock...

Pigeons are nuisances in suburban areas. If you find yourself with limited financial resources or are simply interested in being handy, you can create your own pigeon trap with some household...

An old adage " a dull knife is dangerous" can remedied a lot easier than you might think.

Want to get that jacket or pant ready for rain or snow? Here's how to use Nikwax to waterproof fabrics for outdoor activities.

Homesteading is attractive because it represents a self-sufficient, agrarian lifestyle. Many of us dream of a place in the country that is off the grid--and where we don't rely on the county to...

There are three basic techniques of tree climbing. There is free climbing, which involves climbing without any safety equipment or gear. Experts advise against this method. Then there are two...

This is a great way to recycle things you would other wise throw into the trash to create something useful and effective. These fire starters really work.

How to make a tuna can candle. This is as simple as it comes. you can make a dozen of them in one sitting. The way I do the wicks it to use card board. So simple.

How to make a Hand Drill Fire and Techniques. This article is on the techniques of the Hand Drill Fire.

This article is a how to on the materials of the hand drill. After you have read this article you should be able to select suitable hand drill materials and prepare them for use.

This survival guide will give you valuable tips to use when you have a car break down, get lost while hiking, have a power outage, are caught in a natural disaster, or even during times of civil...

Not only are ASP batons made to serve and protect law enforcement personnel, but they are also offered to protect you. According the Tactical Batons website, the ASP baton has been tested and...

How to Make Fatwood. Making fatwood is an easy yet long process. Some commercial producer will wait a decade or more to harvest the mood. Look for areas where old stumps of pine trees are and see...

The trick to survivalist planning is considering ahead of time how to sustain life on a day-to-day basis and in an emergency. Stockpiling plays a major part in being prepared for whatever...

Have you ever been lost in the woods or on a hike with only a compass and a map? Whether you answered yes or no to the above question—you will certainly agree it’s best to know how to use a...

Following the tracks left by animals can be an enjoyable pastime, especially if an individual becomes proficient at it. Being able to follow an animal's trail can allow a person to "see the world"...

There are many edible plants in the wild, but identifying them can be tricky. Research and identify non-toxic plants and berries found in the wild with life-saving tips from an experienced...

A survival kit should include essential items, such as a knife, matches or fire starters, a flashlight, a compass, a whistle, rain gear, high-protein food, water and means to sanitize water. Find...

Using a compass involves holding it as level as possible, finding the desired direction or bearing and using the magnetic north needle as reference. Use a compass to navigate through the...

Wilderness survival has as much to do with psychology as physical survival, so getting into the right mindset is the first step in planning a survival tactic. Learn a few acronyms to live by with...

Making a compass in the wild can be done using a sewing needle, a magnet and some stagnant water, or it can be done using the shadows of the sun to find east and west. Get your bearings in the...

Making a fire without matches is possible by using magnesium flint steel or by using friction to create an ember. Always have tinder ready to ignite with life-saving tips from an experienced...

In the wilderness, healthy people can survive without food for as long as eight weeks, assuming they have plenty of drinkable water at hand. Understand what the body goes through during starvation...

Techniques for surviving in the wilderness rely heavily on practice, preparation and common sense, as there are many useful items that can help boil water, prepare food or hold together a shelter....

Building a shelter in the wilderness is key to survival, especially in harsh conditions, so consider using rain gear, sticks and debris to create a lean-to or tent for protection. Create some...

Making a fire involves starting with the material that is easiest to ignite, such as dried bark strips, and building up to longer-lasting woods, such as maple or pine pieces. Find out how to build...

The parts of a compass include the degree measurements around the circumference of the circle, the magnetic north needle that always points north and any other attachments, such as a magnifying...

Knowing how to handle oneself in the outdoors when things go wrong should be the first responsibility of any camper or hiker. Though the outdoors are beautiful, they can also be your worst enemy....

Survival packs are designed to help people stay alive if they become trapped, injured or lost without a way to seek out assistance immediately. From being able to light a fire, to catching food to...

A large part of scouting is going on camping trips, and there are few things as pleasant during a camping trip as sitting by a fire, telling stories, roasting marshmallows, and enjoying the warmth...

Life threatening situations, and how to deal with them, is a skill set that most of us hope never to have to use. But as beautiful as the wilderness is, it can quickly become ugly. Knowing how to...

With the recent boom in ecotourism and adventure travel, many girls are finding themselves in closer contact with the wilderness than ever before. Even if you're not an outdoorsman, a shipwreck,...

Loading a black powder gun is more complex than simply inserting a round into a chamber or loading a clip, but it is not difficult to master. A black powder gun shoots the same as any other gun....