does Bushcraft mean hacking away and stripping away green vegetation?

beef said:
Caves make much better shelters than lean-tos!


This will sound self righteous, but people hacking away just for the sake of it isn't bushcraft. Generally, destructive and unskilled go hand in hand.
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That's if there is a cave to be found....

Also, I would like you to find a post on here of someone needlessly hacking away at a live tree...


And there are items that are made in bushcraft and survival that do require green wood...
 
Hi Tony,
I can only speak regarding my location, where caves are abundant. They were less so when I practiced bushcraft in Canada.

I wasn't attacking this forum for chopping live wood needlessly. I was answering the OP. If he sees people hacking away for no reason, he's not witnessing bushcraft, something else entirely.

I'm aware that there are projects requiring green wood. I've used green wood for withys, but I chose not to do so regularly, as it's much easier to use bought items. The knowledge is there however.
 
Around here the mountain juniper (most folks around here call it cedar) is taking over. The state has even started a 'cedar' eradication program. If I use green wood it's 'cedar' or willow and cottonwood from the river bank. I've found places where the willow is literally 'thick as hair on a dog' for miles. I mean finger-sized stuff, thick to to point that you can't walk through it. I have no problems using a few for 'practice'. I feel truly blessed to live here and I don't abuse the privilege.
 
G'day UKknifer

ukknifer said:
... However, I see allot of vids on youtube and pictures on survival forums where people hack away green trees and vegetation in the name of bushcraft and survival.
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Without providing links to the youtube vidoes that you are referring to, I can't comment specifically on what you have seen.

However I will make a comment on what I have seen on youtube.

There are lots of videos that try to show how well a "favoured" knife will perform at bushcraft.

IMO, the easiest way to make the knife look good is to slice or chop green wood (because it will perform better with green wood that it will with the same wood that is seasoned :D )

My question is, are you confusing someone who is trying to make the performance of their preferred manufactures knife look good, with people who genuinely practice Bushcraft (and the respect & preservation of the natural environment that IMO comes with the genuine use of the "Bushcraft label") ?



Kind regards
Mick
 
This is one reason I try to buy undeveloped land.

I can hack and slash all I want, grow the kinds of trees to replace the ones I drop with the trees I want, cut trails, and leave the rest wild, etc. More importantly, i can keep others OUT.

Now, I not a greenie-weenie, but I have to concur with seeing a lot of stupidity, especially on the 'Tube.

Thing is, there's no ONE answer.

Some of us live in places where things grow like crazy, whether or not you want them to. Others live in places where it's a real challenge to grow anything.

I really NEED to cut and burn a lot to keep the fire hazard down. Others think it's an atrocity, because things are sparse where they live.

Best idea is to learn YOUR local ecology and work within it.

One thing I've found to be common enough to stereotype is the greenie-weenies tend to not know squat about the environment, often pushing for policies that are contradictory to the health of the local ecosystem, whereas people who are in those wild areas a lot -- hunters, campers, backpackers, etc and pay attention will have a very different outlook on what is best. So study your local area, so that you're one of the knowledgeable ones.
 
When I'm cutting stuff down it's typically dead scrub pines and spruce that are clogging the woods in an area. It's fun for me and encourages healthy forest growth. In my area I have no shortage of appropriate and morally just targets. :D
 
ukknifer said:
Hi All

I apologise in advance if my post sounds preachy or moralistic. I don't mean to lecture.

However, I see allot of vids on youtube and pictures on survival forums where people hack away green trees and vegetation in the name of bushcraft and survival.

This would be fine in a real survival situation or in a training learning situation but (In my opinion) its not if its a hobby you do every week. I also don't think it should be accepted in the forums and encouraged.

I don't need to build a shelter (of green) every week I go out in the woods. If we all do that, there will be no more bush to bushcraft in.

Hope this doe not upset anyone.
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Around here we have to pay people to hack down vegetation. If someone wanted to do it for free...it would be fine by me.
 
I cut whatever I need to whether it's green or dead.
Except poison ivy. It gets my undivided respect.:D
Iz
 
Cpl Punishment said:
This is one reason I try to buy undeveloped land.

I can hack and slash all I want, grow the kinds of trees to replace the ones I drop with the trees I want, cut trails, and leave the rest wild, etc. More importantly, i can keep others OUT.

Now, I not a greenie-weenie, but I have to concur with seeing a lot of stupidity, especially on the 'Tube.

Thing is, there's no ONE answer.

Some of us live in places where things grow like crazy, whether or not you want them to. Others live in places where it's a real challenge to grow anything.

I really NEED to cut and burn a lot to keep the fire hazard down. Others think it's an atrocity, because things are sparse where they live.

Best idea is to learn YOUR local ecology and work within it.

One thing I've found to be common enough to stereotype is the greenie-weenies tend to not know squat about the environment, often pushing for policies that are contradictory to the health of the local ecosystem, whereas people who are in those wild areas a lot -- hunters, campers, backpackers, etc and pay attention will have a very different outlook on what is best. So study your local area, so that you're one of the knowledgeable ones.
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Well said, I must agree with this point of view.


And living in the PNW we have plenty of over-growth that can and will choke out the forest.
 
I was on a walk on a local trail and saw the shocking aftermath of hacking away at green vegetation:eek:.
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All of these trees were within 25 yards of each other. Someone needs to stop the beaver from practicing their bushcrafting skills:D.
 
I was on a camping trip with my Dad years ago in a provincial park. There was only one other site taken up with about 6-7 people there. I recognized the college symbol on the van and went to talk to the oldest person there, asumuing they where in charge. I was right; She was a teacher and they where on a nature retreat/ survey. When they left a couple of days later, I checked out their campsite. Three or so very mature oaks ( 16"-24" Diam.) where butchered up with what seemed like a dull axe. They where cut about 1/3rd through and given up on. First and foremost, this is illegal for one thing , and in my eyes , un-needed and just the wrong thing to do. When I got back to the city , I phoned that school and asked if any field trips had occured at the park I was at. They said " Yes there was. Our forestry students where there for a field trip and to study nature." I mentioned that I saw their abuse , and let them know that it upset me and that something should be mentioned to the dept.head. The biggest blame I put on their supervisor. One of the stupidest things I've seen from people who should obviously know better.
 
CoyotePhysics said:
I was on a walk on a local trail and saw the shocking aftermath of hacking away at green vegetation:eek:.

All of these trees were within 25 yards of each other. Someone needs to stop the beaver from practicing their bushcrafting skills:D.
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Lol, great post, man!
Iz
 
CoyotePhysics said:
I was on a walk on a local trail and saw the shocking aftermath of hacking away at green vegetation:eek:.
B2.jpg

All of these trees were within 25 yards of each other. Someone needs to stop the beaver from practicing their bushcrafting skills:D.
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Okay, what f'n bast#rd gave that beaver a buck saw???? Fess up now!!!
 
Just leave the trees alone. I find enough dead ones on the ground to leave me hours of chopping enjoyment during the week. BWM is a great knife for chopping and slicing.
 
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