Ron Hoods video series

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Hey there all. A quick Hood question.

Have any of you seen all/most of the Hood videos? And if so how do you rate them in regards to good information VS. the many many books on the market?

Tax time is coming and although expensive they appear to be some of the highest caliber self reliance/ survival videos out there.

Thanks, J.
 
I own most of the woods master series, great info. IMO Ron knows his stuff and presents it well. I would suggest buying the survival basics videos, if you like the information and the way its presented, then buy the videos from the woods master series.
 
I got the survival basics DVD's for like $12 for my mom and she was really impressed with the amount of information they contained. She said Ron was a "character" and she really enjoyed them and is going to watch them again to pick up on things she missed the 1st time around. the basics are a sampling of the woodsmaster videos, so for a small drop in the bucket you can see if the whole series would be worth your while.
 
I like the videos better than books because you see the demonstration right there in front of you. I would watch something a few times, then go try and practice it. But books are always a nice reference to have in your pack out on the trail.
 
I have a few. I think they are good but not outstanding.

I don't consider them really expensive so for the price worth buying.:thumbup:
 
Nordic Viking said:
Amateurish (folksy?) presentation but very instructional.
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Agreed, one might even be a little embarassed if your wife was watching it with you. His ability to make beautiful things (not that they have to be to be functional) leaves a lot to be desired.
 
Ron has some of the best material out there, and you must consider some of the video's were shot quite a few years ago. There are tips and tricks that could straight up save yer hide in a survival situation in all the video's. You will notice lots of the stuff you see on the TV show nowadays on Rons vid's also.
 
If you are looking for survival instruction and guidance they dont come better than Ron.

Skam
 
Ron Hood has, by far and away, the best videos on the market. They give you what you need and no BS *cough, cough*Apache Grandfather **cough*

Now, Steven Spielberg he ain't, cuz he ain't the one behind the camera, that'd be his tough little flower Karen. He makes it plain, he makes it easy. If you got the money GET 'EM. Peer-ee-yode. He also mentions stuff that lots of people forget like the 5 heat loss mechanisms (5 bonus points to the first Hoodlum that names 'em), the rule of 3's (5 more for the first one that names them)...stuff you'll never hear Eddy Bear and Les talk about (not slighting either one, they have to do what the network says).

I agree start with shelters first, youtube is full of clips to give you a taste of what the videos are like. The Jungle Living DVD is awesome (Vietnam Crossbow, need I say more?!)

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with 'em.
 
Dinkum said:
Ray Mears?
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Ray Mears is pretty cool too, but I get distracted by that whole Robin Hood costume and other assorted weirdness. It's not as distracting as some instructors ("They can't see us. We're in the spirit world.") but....

I think Hood is more well-rounded. There is just more depth to all the videos. He sort plays the professor and attempts to explain some of the basic concepts on a basic scientific level also. I guess that attracts me.

Neither are cinematic giants. There is only so much you can do. Hoods videos are basically a community college course. You either get content (Hood, Mears, or to a much lesser extent Survivorman) without much drama or great drama and camera work with techniques that generally increase your chance of dying (Idiot vs. Wild).
 
These should keep you busy for a while!

GENERAL SURVIVAL
Survivorman Season One - Discovery Channel
Preparing To Survive - Peter Kummerfelt
Survival - Learn to Become a Survivor in the Wild!
Survival: Beyond the 10 Essentials - Gene Ward
Survival Basics 1 & 2 - Ron Hood (Compilation)
Prepared to Survive - Doug Ritter (sort of)
Desert Survival Skills
Tropical Seacoast - Survival Techniques
Marine Corps Survival School - Discovery Channel

GAME CARE
Quarter And De-Bone Big Game In The Field
Deer Processing 101
Wild Game Field Care & Cooking
Game Processing Basics
Field Dressing Big Game
Care and Processing of Venison
Advanced Sausage Processing - Vol 1
Caping & Field Dressing Big Game/Scoring Big Game
Big Game From Field to Freezer

TOM ELPEL
The Art of Nothing 1: Three Days at the River
The Art of Nothing 2: Mountain Meadows
The Art of Nothing 3: Mountain Lakes
The Art of Nothing 4: Canoe Camping

DICK PRONEKKE
Alone in the Wilderness - EXCELLENT! Partially disabled man in his 50's goes into the Alaskan bush, builds a cabin, and thrives there for thirty years! (I finally have been permitted to sell these!)
Alaska: Silence & Solitude

USEFUL OUTDOOR SKILLS
Campfire Magic
From Here to There: Canoe Basics
The Forgotten Skills
Hiking & Backpacking
Wilderness Trapping
Just Tie It
Advanced Knife Sharpening Techniques
Sawbuck Packing Made Easy
Living in Bear Country
Staying Safe in Bear Country
GPS & Land Navigation

JOHN & GERI McPHERSON
Primitive Wilderness Skills, Applied
Asiatic Composite Bow
Naked Into The Wilderness #1 - Brain Tan Buckskin
Naked Into The Wilderness #2 - Fire & Cordage
Naked Into The Wilderness #3 - Primitive Bow & Arrow
Naked Into The Wilderness #6 - Deer From Field to Freezer
Naked Into The Wilderness #9a - Breakin' Rock 1
Naked Into The Wilderness #9b - Breakin' Rock 2
Naked Into The Wilderness #10 - Shelters

RON & KAREN HOOD
Woodsmaster 1 - Spark Based Fire Starting
Woodsmaster 2 - Survival Shelter and Priorities
Woodsmaster 3 - Survival Kits
Woodsmaster 4 - Navigation & Travel
Woodsmaster 5 - Traps and Trapping
Woodsmaster 6 - Primative Weapons
Woodsmaster 7 - Jungle Living Skills
Woodsmaster 8 - Tracking
Woodsmaster 9 - Primitive Knifemaking
Woodsmaster 10 - Survival Camping
Woodsmaster 11 - Solo Survival
Woodsmaster 12 - Vehicle Survival
Woodsmaster 13 - Desert Survival
Woodsmaster 14 - Crafts for the Field
Woodsmaster 15 - Sticks, Stoves and Stitches
Woodsmaster 16 - Buffalo Butchers
Cave Cooking 1 - In the Woods
Cave Cooking 2 - Going Dutch
Cave Cooking 3 - Frocks, Fat and Food
Cave Cooking 4 - Messin' With Meat

MORS KOCHANSKI
Mors Kochanski - Sticks as Tools and Implements
Mors Kochanski - Blades: Sharpening & Safe Use
Mors Kochanski - Bush Knots
Morse Kochanski - Clothing & Sleeping Bags
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - The Master Tape
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 1
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 2
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 3
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 4
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 5
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 6
A Plant Walk with Mors Kochanski - Vol. 7

-- FLIX
 
I own the whole series (minus Urban Master 2 which came out after I bought the series). IMO, the first five and cave cooking 1 are the best. After that they seemed like he was just making stuff up. Also, you get the feeling he makes a lot of stories up so you get the feeling your being lied to and don't know what to believe. one example is when he tells the story of being stalked by a badger. He said he shot it 5 times with his .45 but when he is tanning it there are no bullet holes in the hide.
I agree Ray Mears is much better but his shows are not designed to be teaching shows even though he gives a lot of good tips.
Survival basics 1 and 2 some up the best info of the first 5 and CC1 at a fraction of the cost.
WM 1 -Really good info. especially on the firebow
WM 2 -Firebed is the best part but dont expect to see shelters being built
WM 3 -Most the info can easily be learned from a survival manual.
WM 4 -Not bad but primitive nav did not really appeal to me. The pitch stick and arrowhead were cool.
WM 5-He overkills how to make the fig 4 and his twitch up snares I found to be more difficult and not practical. I prefer simple triggers like the plug/pencil/toggle.
WM 6-Vietcom crossbow is the best part
WM 7-more of a documentary than a survival video
WM 8-Good info but boring and hard to watch
WM 9-Did not interest me
WM 10/11- waste of tape
WM 12-Did not interest me
WM 13-Rattlesnake part and resperation bag were neat
WM 14-Not a bad video
WM 15-Did not care for this one and it is not really taught by Ron
WM 16-Waste of a tape
WM 17-The hide tanning was interesting but can be learned just as easy from reading on the internet
CC 1- Excellent video, My favorite
CC 2- Biscuit donoughts are cool
CC 3- Had some beautiful scenery in it
CC 4- Another one thats a gimmick
CC 5- Did not care for this one either

UM 1- Did not really care for it.
 
I have a bunch of Ron`s videos. They`re not always exactly what you were expecting but I`ve learned a lot of useful information from every one. They`re always entertaining too. I read a lot and both formats have their points but I find I pick up techniques quicker/easier via video. The only downside is that once your friends know you have them they`ll always be bugging you to borrow them. ;) Marcus
 
I have The Woodsmaster Volumes One through Five and Urbanmaster One and Two. What some may find stupid or hokey I take as a really wry sense of humor and I enjoy that.

I don't really disagree with anything he has to say but I think the video on Shelter is a bit limited geographically as he was in the Sierra Nevadas and I think for A LOT of people, even though it might kill a tree or two during filming...A LOT of people need to know how to make a Lean-To. Just my opinion.

However, don't let that scare you away from that video as there are other things in there that still apply, they are 100% valid and it is presented in a clear, concise manner which I also appreciate. My Son loves them as well.

Some may not like Urbanmaster One and Two, I will tell you true, those two DVDs could save a lot of lives one day but the audience that is being exposed is rather limited. Valuable information that a lot of us might know...most people DON'T know...

I want to get a couple/few more in the Woodsmaster Series, a few of the Cave-Cooking and I am waiting for what he has planned with the Urbanmaster Series in the future...
 
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