One of the most worrisome dangers for somebody in an outdoor self-reliance situation is contracting a waterborne disease. Drinking enough water is, of course, a fundamental aspect of staying alive in the woods—and anywhere else—and much of your activities in a wilderness emergency will revolve around finding freshwater sources. Any gurgling...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on August 05, 2013
For those looking to hone their bushcraft, some familiarity with fatwood goes a long way. This material has a long history with humankind, and remains highly valuable to anyone roaming the backwoods. Fatwood most commonly refers to the resin-imbued heartwood of pine trees; in fact, it’s sometimes called “heart pine.” Heartwood...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on July 30, 2013
Eggs: they are compact, loaded with nutrients and versatile. Considering the value of egg nutrition, they are arguably the best survival food available. What’s more, if you’re concerned about sustainability (and who isn’t), the chicken egg offers a myriad of health benefits and nutritional value without harming the chicken. 9...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on July 23, 2013
Turkey hunting is a skill that’s both a challenge and a joy to master. While you may not want to pursue becoming a professional turkey hunter, you can certainly improve your chances of turkey hunting by observing some simple tips. 10 TURKEY HUNTING TIPS Adequate Camouflage – Turkeys are known for their superior...
What follows is a basic biographical sketch of the 19th-century American outdoorsman. George Washington Sears, widely known through his extensive popular writings as “Nessmuk.” An early and ardent conservationist and innovative backwoods rambler, Sears continues to exert an influence today on enthusiasts of lightweight bushcraft. EARLY YEARS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on July 02, 2013
Few ingredients have swung so widely in public favor as lard, the rendered fat of pigs. Long used in cooking, this multipurpose substance took a bad rap in the late 20th century as experts and pseudo-experts debated the merits of saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats, but has lately regained some...
Survivability vs sustainability; so what’s the difference? When you are making plans for survival situations, it is important to plan for both survivability and sustainability. While survivability and sustainability are closely related, they are distinct from one another, and understanding that distinction can help you better prepare for survival situations,; including what survival gear you...
Dave and Pathfinder Family, I have been educated in survival skills since my early youth. My Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader served as a U.S. Marine during Korea, and our Troop was run just like a small military unit. These skills were further honed during my military service in...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on June 03, 2013
In a survival situation, avoiding dehydration is of utmost importance. Hydration assists in keeping a keen mind and sharp mental focus and when in a survival situation – mental acuteness is key. When up against the elements, the ability to come out alive requires lightning quick reflexes, good planning and...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on May 28, 2013
Honey is mentioned in the Bible and found in ancient Indian, Greek, Egyptian and Arabic literature—honey is one of the oldest sweeteners on earth. It’s also one of the most complete foods you can find in the wild. The benefits of homey include natural energy and a host of other...
Posted by Self Reliance Outfitters on May 14, 2013
Anyone who spends time in the outdoors needs to know about tick bite prevention. Ticks are diminutive, parasitic arachnids broadly distributed around the world and most notable as transmitters of a variety of diseases. Across much of the U.S., anyone spending time outside should know the basics of tick safety: preventing...
Boot care is an important aspect of self-reliance. In survival situations, there is nothing more important than the survival gear you wear on your feet. Proper boot care can mean the difference between life and death – literally. Mobility over a variety of terrain and temperatures is an absolute must...
When I was asked to write an article on buiding a fire, I thought sure, but why? I mean, I have seen many articles on friction fires, and fires with flint and steel, so why do I need to tell people what to do when building a fire, along with how to...
Youth survival training is an incredible opportunity for young people to gain skills that will benefit them for years to come. There are few young people who would not think the idea of survival training is cool, and who would not jump at the chance to learn some cool survival skills....
When it comes to a quality survival knife, it’s hard to beat TOPS Knives. Made in the heart of the Rocky Mountain’s, TOPS Knives have been the choice of discerning operators, law enforcement and outdoor professionals for over a decade. At the Pathfinder School we chose TOPS Knives based upon our...