Hoods Woods Videos?

XMP

XMP

Joined
Feb 9, 2007
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I just recently became aware of Ron Hoods' videos. Simple question: which ones are best? Where should I start, if I want to pick up one or two?
 
I just recently bought the entire series, but haven't had the chance to watch them or scan them into our rental inventory. I'll let you know what I think after I've seen them.

-- FLIX
 
I've seen about eight of them and all were great. In fact it just makes me want to buy them all. You won't be dissapointed in any of them.
 
Buy Woodsmaster 1-5 and then any others as the topics appeal to you. I have most of them and they're all good.
 
Great stuff. I have several in the series and have watched them several times each. Tons of great info is packed in there.
 
Here is a question for you guys that have watched them.

If you have also watched any of the Ray Mears video's is the information between the two repetitive or does the Hoods videos give it a fresh perspective?

It sounds like it would be a fresh perspective on bushcraft and/or survival, but I'm unsure if I want to spend the money.

Edit: I have seen alot of Ray Mears videos which is why I posed the question. Meant to explain that to begin with. :)
 
I only have a couple of Hoods and have seen some of Ray Mears.

I'd say Ray Mears are more general and Hoods more specific, at least the ones I have seen. Hoods seemed to have a bit more focus on stuff you bring with you.

I viewed Survival Camping and didn't think much of it.

I thought the Survival Basics 1 and 2 was better. It's like 12 bucks worth viewing at that price even if it only had a few tips.
 
I've watched quite-a-few mears shows, their good and bring a more "open" look to survival. Some things like, setting up a small camp with a tarp, though he did do a few specialized shows. One of course was the birch bark canoo, which was a great one, mears is also, I think at least a little bit more into culture, as in travels a bit more. Shows things like tribs working in their "old ways", also did some on poaching, and the troops who protect africas top five, in parks and reserves.
 
XMP said:
I just recently became aware of Ron Hoods' videos. Simple question: which ones are best? Where should I start, if I want to pick up one or two?
Click to expand...

To answer this, you have to tell us your priorities - maybe you're interested in trapping but not in fire making, for example. But, if it's general wilderness survival you're interested in, go with ras' suggestion - get 1-5 and then pick through what you like after that.

Some of the later ones are less information dense, such as the aforementioned Survival Camping, but I enjoy all the ones I have and one of these days will pick up some more.

Doc
 
General wilderness survival is probably the priority, but I'm game to learn anything that will enhance my hiking/camping/backpacking experiences.
 
Just a heads up - I have scanned the first 7 volumes of the Woodsmaster and entered them into our rental library. I have watched 1, 2, 3, and 5 so far.

Volume 1 - Spark Based Fire Starting - Mini Review - Ron does a good job showing the firebow, flint and steel, metal match and a few other ways of starting fire in the wild. It sure helps to see it done!
Volume 2 - Survival Shelter and Priorities - Mini Review - Ron explains what is most important in selecting or constructing a shelter in a survival situation. He discusses heat loss mechanisms, and how to protect against them. He demonstrates several shelter styles, but oddly enough, does not create either a lean-to or a debris hut. (Maybe he'll show those in a later volume.)
Volume 3 - Survival Kits - Mini Review -Ron shows selection and use of items for both a Mini and Maxi-kit. He warns against the siren song of the hollow handled knife, and extolls the many uses of plastic garbage bags and parachute cord. He emphasizes improvisation.
Volume 4 - Navigation & Travel
Volume 5 - Traps and Trapping - Mini Review - I really enjoyed this when I watched it last night. I am a really visual learner and it helped a lot to see Ron craft the various traps and snares, set them, and explain the ideas behind them. No matter how many books I read on traps and snares, or how good their illustrations are, nothing beats seeing this material on video! (Of course, being a confirmed, armchair survival geek, there were things I would have done differently! ;) )
Volume 6 - Primitive Weapons
Volume 7 - Jungle Living Skills
Volume 8 - Tracking
Volume 9 - Primitive Knifemaking
Volume 10 - Survival Camping
Volume 11 - Solo Survival
Volume 12 - Vehicle Survival
Volume 13 - Desert Survival
Volume 14 - Crafts for the Field
Volume 15 - Sticks, Stoves and Stitches
Volume 16 - Buffalo Butchers: Meat and Material from Large Game

The rest of the series should be entered in in the next few days.

-- FLIX
 
Flix, thanks for the reviews. I especially interested to hear your take on #10 & #11.
 
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