What is Bushcraft? (History, Benefits, Tools & Skills Required in 2023)

There are many reasons why people choose to practice Bushcraft. Some do it for the thrill of adventure, while others do it for the sense of community that comes with living in nature. What is Bushcraft? What’s its history? What benefits does practicing Bushcraft provide? What skills should you learn if you want to go out and explore the wild?

Keep reading this article to find out!

? History Of Bushcraft

Bushcraft is a term used to describe the skills and techniques used for survival and self-reliance in the wilderness. The history of bushcraft can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of North America, Africa, and Australia, who have been using these skills for thousands of years.

European settlers also developed their own forms of bushcraft, based on the skills they brought with them and those they learned from the indigenous peoples they encountered.

During the 20th century, bushcraft became popularized by various writers and experts such as Richard K. Nelson, Mors Kochanski, and Ray Mears. They wrote books and produced television shows that taught people how to survive and thrive in the wilderness using traditional techniques.

In recent years, bushcraft has become increasingly popular as a hobby, with many people learning and practicing these skills for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

It has also been increasingly used as an educational tool for teaching survival skills and personal development.

? What Is Bushcraft?

Bushcraft is the art of wilderness survival. If you need to know about learning how to survive in nature, practicing Bushcraft will teach you.

It will give you knowledge of the land and the tools in order to survive while out in nature. Moreover, what plant life grows where, and what animals are native to that area?

This information can be used in a variety of ways:

• Imagine being lost or stranded and knowing which plants to eat or drink for nourishment;
• Or finding shelter with ease because you know how different trees grow compared to others.

Bushcraft can do for you is make sure that you are prepared no matter what happens, and it’s the perfect way to get outside.

Also Read: Bushcraft vs Camping – Difference to learn

? What Benefits Does Practicing Bushcraft Provide?

There are many benefits of practicing Bushcraft. The first benefit is having a deeper connection with nature and knowing how much we rely on natural resources every day. Bushcrafting will provide you with a new appreciation for the land.

The second benefit is being able to learn how to survive in nature. It means that if you are ever stranded or lost, having Bushcrafting skills will help you stay alive longer.

You’ll have more options like which plant type or animals to eat and drink. These skills will give you a better chance of survival.

Must Read: Where to practice bushcraft?

? What Skills Should You Learn If You Want To Go Out And Explore The Wild?

The first benefit is being able to learn about nature! This means that you’ll have more appreciation for what’s around you once you start learning the Bushcraft skills. There are many skills to learn if you want to go out and explore the wild.

These include carving, trapping, shelter building, hunting, cooking, and navigation. If you have learned these skills, the wilderness adventure will be much easier for you.

Carving

Carving is one of the essential Bushcrafting skills where the artistry is involved with whittling or sculpting pieces from wood.

This means that if you need to start a fire in order to keep warm, having carving skills is a great way to go about it. In order to get benefit from this skill, you’ll need your carving knife and some wood.

Trapping

It’s another important bushcraft skill where you have the ability to capture animals in order to cook them or keep them around for sustenance.

If you’re in a bush environment with no food source for miles, then trapping can be your only way of catching food. There are many different types of traps such as the deadfall trap and snare.

Shelter building 

Shelter building is another important skill as it provides proper protection against rain, snow, wind, and other weather elements that could be dangerous to your health.

If you’re out bushcrafting and get lost, then building a shelter for yourself will be the only thing keeping you alive!

There are many different types of shelters depending on what environment you’re in (trees vs no trees) but regardless bushcrafters should know how to make a bush shelter.

What you’ll need for this skill is cordage or wire, any natural material like leaves and branches, a tarp, and your bushcraft knife. Also, check our guide to learn the art of making a shelter with natural materials.

Hunting

Hunting is an important bushcraft skill that gives you the ability to catch animals with ease so that they are an easy source of meat when out in the wild.

Related: Best Bushcraft Knife under $100

You can set up traps or snares, but sometimes nothing will get caught! That’s why knowing how to hunt with bushcraft gear like spears and knives is also an essential bushcraft skill.

Cooking 

If you’re out bushcrafting and got lost, then having something to eat will be the only thing keeping you alive!

There are many different types of cooking skills (fire pit vs open fire) but regardless bushcrafters should know how to cook food in a bush environment.

Must Check: Best Survival Knives under $50

Navigation 

Navigation skills give you the ability to go out into nature without losing track of where you are. It means that if you ever get lost in the woods because of a storm, having this skill will help you find your way back to civilization.

What you’ll need for this skill is to know how to use a map and compass or GPS unit.

? What tools are required for bushcraft? 

The tools that you’ll need for bushcrafting depend on the Bushcraft skills you want to learn. Usually, it includes a knife, wire or cordage, traps/snares, tarp, or plastic sheeting for waterproofing.

Also Check: What are the best clothes to wear for bushcraft?

Additionally, natural materials like leaves and branches, a map and compass, or a GPS unit are also really helpful. Check out our detailed guide on the essential tools for bushcraft.

? Conclusion

There are so many benefits of bushcrafting and many different skills that anyone can learn. This article has covered the details of bushcraft, its history, and some of the benefits that can be gained from learning it, but this should only serve as a base for you to explore more!

If there is one thing I would recommend doing it would probably be getting your hands dirty. Learning new things is always good. I hope you have found this article to be helpful.