Do you practice bushcraft techniques?

**marthinus** · 07-11-2010, 10:50

Do anyone else practice bushcraft techniques such as:

1. Bow Drill fire
2. Spoon Carving
3. Making traps?

Just wondering who else is interested in these type of things

. I am. I make a lot of fuzz sticks that I light using a fire steel. I try and learn what local trees can be used for and what insects are edible.

**FrankH** · 07-11-2010, 11:02

I interested with what is relevant here, maybe you could do a couple of posts of what you've learned.

**THOMAST** · 07-11-2010, 13:47

Regarding edible invertebrates:
John Sharp once offered me some dried wors (droë wors). On closer inspection the "wors" had lots of tiny legs. Turned out to be roasted Mopani worms.
I took his word for it that it tasted delicious

I suppose if I was hungry enough..

**marthinus** · 07-11-2010, 15:32

Originally Posted by FrankH

I interested with what is relevant here, maybe you could do a couple of posts of what you've learned.

Okidoki

Here are some things I have done:

Using Zam Buck and cotton pad, light with fire steel can give a nice flame.

Making Fuzz sticks. One can use the Fuzzies to create tinder for lighting fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjoMkRoDL5M&feature=player_embedded

Lighting fire with rubber, grass was wet so it was a bit difficult.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PctLYp3oPTE&feature=player_embedded

Got it going

For me Bushcraft is the knowledge of the bush. These days I guess its more labeled as survival skills?

Here are a few links and resources for further reading:
http://www.azbushcraft.com/
http://africa-bushcraft.co.za/html/a..._survival.html
http://www.jungletraining.com/resources.htm
http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Courses/Family/

Summed up it could be categorised as

Knowledge of the contents of a survival pack and the uses of
Making fire
Finding water
Building shelters
Making of traps and snares
Navigation, Map and Compass
Behaviour of dangerous animals
Finding food in the bush (resource: http://africa-bushcraft.co.za/html/a..._survival.html)

I have been watching reruns of Ray Mears during night shift and it got me thinking how much do we still emphasise these skills in South Africa? I think it has started to fade in a world of urbanisation and wanted to know if anyone else, like me, still tries and practice these things?

**FrankH** · 07-11-2010, 15:56

Interesting, didn't know that about Zambuk.

Did you first light the rubber ,wasn't very clear. Use zambuk there as well?

**marthinus** · 08-11-2010, 00:17

Originally Posted by FrankH

Interesting, didn't know that about Zambuk.

Did you first light the rubber ,wasn't very clear. Use zambuk there as well?

I used a small amount of magnesium from a magnesium fire steel. Same type used in the zambuk video except this time I made some shavings

Took some time on those shavings and they burn hot, but very fast. So the wet grass did not take, then I decided to use the rubber of inner tube and it got the fire started, but the video camera's batteries died.

The magnesium fire steel works good but the striker is a bit flimsy IMO. A Light my fire fire steel is a better option combined with the magnesium. I just carry both on the key ring. Here is the light my fire fire steel with a cotton pad and zambuk. You would be surprised how many lotions contain alcohol and other oily substance that could get you you a fire going.

Then plenty of small sticks that I made fuzzies of...

and the results

**Bushboy** · 08-11-2010, 11:13

I certainly have practiced some of these skills, although never used zambuk. Just to see how hard or easy it is, I have made fire by using a hand drill method (got blisters) and wood saw method (got fire). I have used water finding techniques for real that I had learned from my dad and from my tracker when I was caught short, 3 times in my life. I drank from a crevice in a rock on one occassion, another we had to dig in a dry stream bed for water, we also resorted to sansveria roots as well to keep us going. To me water finding is the most important skill. Food from the veld is plentifull depending on what you are prepared to do/consume. I once ate a scorpion (roasted it first) but will reserve re-living that experience for when ive eaten everything else including ghwarri fruit (nasty). Shelter can range from being not really that critical to being a priority depending on where you are. I do like your methods of using whatever you have at hand, like the zambuk and cotton pads. If you are going to have to self rescue, then navigation skills can be critical. I firmly believe that a sound knowledge of you environment coupled with a bit of a winners mindset will make survival a sure thing rather than if but maybe....

**THOMAST** · 08-11-2010, 12:06

There is a book written by a man (I think his surname is Le Riche- at one stage he was in charge if the then Kalahari Gemsbok Park).
He describes all the flora of the area, what it can be used for and all sorts of medical applications too.
Anybody know the book title & author? I would really like to get my hands on a copy.

Last time I was camping in the dunes betwwen Noenieput and Askam area I got my wife to make fire using just a fire steel, some bark shavings, dried grass & some tinder. She was pretty pleased with her effort.
Anybody eat "Nabba"(sp) - apparently related to truffles. Tastes like a cross between potato & mushroom

---------- Post added at 12:06 ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 ----------

Did some searching. The book is called "The Kalahari and its plants" authored by Pieter van der Walt and Elias Le Riche. Available in both English & Afrikaans (Die Kalahari en sy plante) 9780620234160

**Bushboy** · 08-11-2010, 12:38

Ther are several very good books. "Food from the Veld" is one by Fox IIR, another although quite old, still has loads of great info is "Dont die in the bundu" . As for making traps, just spend a little time with a master poacher turned game keeper and you'll find a million clever ways of trapping game.

**marthinus** · 08-11-2010, 12:53

THOMAST

THANK YOU for that info on the book! It is deffinatly something I place on my Christmas list! Askam is a beautiful place, I will never forget when we were there waiting for the Engen to open at 8 and realised that the BP is the only 24 hour station....great place!

I am not sure about the spelling but Nabba is tasty (for me at least) it was much sweeter then I anticipated!

Bushboy

You have experienced far more then me and a very interesting and informative post!

We have read the same material.