Survival and Bushcraft Books

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AmericanAsApple3.14

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I know many of you enjoy the outdoors and was looking for some recommendations on useful survival and bushcrafting books. I'm definitely a novice, and there are so many books out there... I'm not looking for something that's just fluff or just well written - I'm looking for actual tips, tricks, and procedures/illustrations on how to do things/survive in the outdoors. I know that while the two concepts may overlap in areas, they are different, so not necessarily looking for just one book. Thanks!
 
OP: May I suggest you look into Ron Hood's videos? It's the best teaching tool out there that I've found. I learned more on hypothermia in a 10 minute video of his then I did in a few days training with my SAR group. I was also able to carve a figure 4 on the first go because he walks you through it in a methodical way. You could also do searches in the wilderness sub-forum here. It's been a bit dead in there lately but a lot of good archived threads are worth reading. Don't discount youtube either. There's a lot of crap out there but if you get on a well respected channel some of the skills are pretty well shown. Just remember to try them before you rely on them. It's a random guy on youtube after all. ;)
 
Bushcraft by Kochanski.
98.6 degrees by Lundin.

it would be useful

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I second the Ron Hood video recommendation. Also Mors Kochanski. You might also want to check Outdoor Survival Skills by Larry Dean Olsen; Ultimate Guide to Wilderness Living by John & Geri McPherson; Bushcraft by Richard Graves (might be out of print now, but available as a free download, on line.) And, of course, there's always this. :D

Doc
 
I see this got moved to a more appropriate place - thank you. I'd looked on the main page and couldn't figure out where it should go.

Thanks to all for the information and recommendations. I'll definitely have to check out the Hood videos. I was wondering about the SAS book, having seen it come up in searches, but didn't know what all it contained since I haven't actually looked inside one.

I'd seen a popular book by Kochanski but some of the reviews said it was more geared toward heavily forested northern areas - is that the case? Is a lot of the information still relevant to most other situations? I'm in FL, and would maybe venture into northern GA or TN in the short term.
 
essentialsplus said:
I know many of you enjoy the outdoors and was looking for some recommendations on useful survival and bushcrafting books. I'm definitely a novice, and there are so many books out there... I'm not looking for something that's just fluff or just well written - I'm looking for actual tips, tricks, and procedures/illustrations on how to do things/survive in the outdoors. I know that while the two concepts may overlap in areas, they are different, so not necessarily looking for just one book. Thanks!
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thirded or 4th'd [?] on the Mors

http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222

and I also enjoyed this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440579776/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

Now Dave C is a "like 'em or hate 'em" kind of guy and I'll not debate that here but the book is well written and is also available on Kindle [if that's your thing]. I wish it had more illustrations than it does but the book itself is very useful and insightful. He's got a YT channel as well: [yes I know, you really can't take a pc into the wilderness LOL]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfa-XVztQrDlf-2v1UUdkwg

And of the Cody Lundin books, I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell..._sim_b_37?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SDQ4QQB130FSQV4NN6E

That one is more for Urban survival but an excellent read nonetheless.
 
no suggestions from me, but something I am interested in as well. looking forward to more suggestions and bookmarking to come back when I can.
 
essentialsplus said:
I see this got moved to a more appropriate place - thank you. I'd looked on the main page and couldn't figure out where it should go.

Thanks to all for the information and recommendations. I'll definitely have to check out the Hood videos. I was wondering about the SAS book, having seen it come up in searches, but didn't know what all it contained since I haven't actually looked inside one.

I'd seen a popular book by Kochanski but some of the reviews said it was more geared toward heavily forested northern areas - is that the case? Is a lot of the information still relevant to most other situations? I'm in FL, and would maybe venture into northern GA or TN in the short term.
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You caught an issue that is something to always watch for: is the expert advice geared to a particular area and climate? Mors' advice on knife use is transferable but he is not an obvious source for advice on desert survival. Cody, to name a desert survival guru, has had no reason to encounter the chigger in all its wonderfulness.

All the experts have their strengths and weaknesses. Les Stroud is serious about survival but lights open fires in expedient brush shelters - and goes to sleep. He has burned himself out of his shelter more than once. Don't leave your logic at the door when you enter the world of a given expert. It has killed a couple of students at BOSS.
 
essentialsplus said:
I'd seen a popular book by Kochanski but some of the reviews said it was more geared toward heavily forested northern areas - is that the case? Is a lot of the information still relevant to most other situations? I'm in FL, and would maybe venture into northern GA or TN in the short term.
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Yes, I couldn't finish the book. It was too dry and too detailed for his particular area. There's some things that are transferrable but it wouldn't be a good "how to" for survival in florida.
 
J. Wayne Fears has an excellent book out that covers all the broad and finer points of short and long term survival.
 
Staying alive is not that difficult. You keep your body hydrated, fueled, and at a stable temperature. You also need to make sure you can treat any immediate medical conditions.

There are many ways to approach the problem.

On one end of the spectrum you have the bushcraft stuff. All fine and good as long as you recognize that it's less about staying alive and more about practicing primitive techniques and using primitive tools. It works but it's slow and not 100% reliable. You improvise pretty much everything and are at natures mercy if you mess up.

On the other end of the spectrum you have the Winnebago camper who brings in everything he could possibly need and a few things he'll never need.

Somewhere there is a happy middle ground. Modern gear makes life easier. Being able to build a brush shelter or make a fire is certainly handy but if it comes to that you have made some serious mistakes in your trip planning. A shelter system and pack stove is much easier.

I've read a lot of bushcraft stuff, a lot of first aid stuff, and a lot about the local flora and fauna. But that is not where I would start. I'd start with a middle ground backpacking manual. Here is a good one.
8419915570_d52060403a_b.jpg


With your gear squared away you can then take the time to practice the primitive stuff if you like... Or not, as you choose.
 
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98.6 I think is the best survival book. That is different then "primitive living" where you learn how to snare rabbits etc. which you would not do in a survival situation.
 
Curveman said:
98.6 I think is the best survival book. That is different then "primitive living" where you learn how to snare rabbits etc. which you would not do in a survival situation.
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That depends on where you are lost, does it not? Survival in reality is to stay put. Be visible. Set up camp at last known position. Multiple lines in the water, so to speak, is a handy way to pass the time and eat.
To the op, I would start with a call or a web search of the area you intend on going. Maps, pics of dangerous\deadly species. Edible plants wildlife. Stay very specific to the area you are going. First aid, map reading will serve you well.
 
JasonECornu said:
J. Wayne Fears has an excellent book out that covers all the broad and finer points of short and long term survival.
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You know he has 'arrived" because there is a Wayne Fears line of knives - over-touted but not for space aliens.

That depends on where you are lost, does it not? Survival in reality is to stay put. Be visible. Set up camp at last known position. Multiple lines in the water, so to speak, is a handy way to pass the time and eat.
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Survival is doing what you need to do to survive. Maybe you stay put and maybe not. That depends on what the situation dictates. No one can tell you in advance with any certainty.

You may not be lost at all, just stranded or seriously impeded for some reason OR suddenly at risk due to some situation such as a storm, fire, or heart attack.

After being stranded for six days with no food, limited water and a right leg that was shattered in three places, hiker Gregg Hein will have to do a few months of rehabilitation before he’s back on the hiking trails again. Hein was hiking by himself down the 13,600-foot Mount Goddard, part of California’s Sierra Nevadas, when he accidentally dislodged a boulder. The boulder broke Hein’s right leg in two places and pushed the bone through his skin, leaving him stranded.
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Survival is doing what you need to survive. Jesus Christ. That....I ..... Wow. You...... Did you....... Internet cred. Print yours today.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Survival is doing what you need to do to survive. Maybe you stay put and maybe not. That depends on what the situation dictates. No one can tell you in advance with any certainty.

You may not be lost at all, just stranded or seriously impeded for some reason OR suddenly at risk due to some situation such as a storm, fire, or heart attack.
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Well said, great example bringing up Hein's story. A consideration generally glazed over in these discussions.
 
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