4 day trip

[timmygowalkies]

Hi there,
I haven't been around for a few weeks due to a lot of walking etc. But I'm back.

In the summer holidays 2 friends and I are going away for about 4 days, and we are wanting to try some bush craft. We are all huge fans of Ray Mears and similar T.V programs (it is about the only thing I watch on television). This will be the first time any of us has tried this properly and we are all 14-15 years old.

Is there anywhere in the UK that we could go and camp (we are taking a tent) and light a fire etc. without breaking rules. Are there any campsites that allow open fires etc.? We are hoping to go to Derbnyshire but if there isn't a place we can go there then we will look elsewhere.

Also is there any tips you can give us on simple things to do with bushcraft we could try while there? Is there any special equipment we should take with us?

Thanks a lot
Tim

[David]

This will sound stupid if you allready do stuff like this often, but if not then it will be a good expirience; try gutting and cooking some fish (e.g. mackerel sic) or if you have done that before try whole pheasant, even a rabbit if you are feeling really bold. However well you do, there is almost allways some edible meat, and it allways tastes delicious - I know people I do this with always enjoy it (unless you happen to be vegetarian!). Sorry about derbishire campsites - you'll have to ask someone more expirienced about that i'm afraid.

[Digby]

Sounds like a great plan. If this is your first time out, I would strongly suggest that you take tents, stoves and sufficient food to at least keep you comfortable. Start by practising skills in a situation where you can afford to make mistakes. As the week goes on, you should be able to put aside the tents, stoves and pots and pans and become more self reliant. Don't beat yourself up if you learn a huge amount but don't end up using the skills for 'real' first time out. Even in this situation I have seen many bright young people put themselves into a state of abject misery for no reason at all!

As to locations, I think you will need to find a friendly landowner of private land. These days, even official scout campsites won't usually allow you to light open firs on the ground without permission and very close supervision. You will also need to make arrangements with your friendly landowner for sanitation.

Alternatively book yourself onto a commercial bushcraft course. Ray Mears and his chums run some excellent ones, including a 'Junior Bushcraft Fundementals'. Unfortunately, all his courses are fully booked up for the summer.

Good luck and be sure to tell us about your experiences afterwards!

[timmygowalkies]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your help. We are definately taking tents, stoves and food as otherwise parents wouldn't let us go!

What is the best way of getting in touch with private land owners?

It is our first time doing something like thisd on our own. We have done it before on scout camps but this should be totally different.

Cheers
Tim

[Keefy]

Hi Tim

When I was your age I used to go camping with mates anywhere we could get away with! I'm not suggesting that you do this, especially as you hear of people who get shot by farmers (by mistake) who are hunting or on a vermin cull!

I quite often go camping in winter, when there are few or no campsites open. What I do is find a farm, check there isn't a rabied dog in the yard (there usually is) and ask the farmer. The answer is usually a yes and I just hand them a tenner, they are more than pleased!

I would recommend doing this a week in advance so that you are prepared.

If you want to get really Ray Mearsey and snare your own rabbits the farmer will probably consent as it gets the vermin off their land (they have a legal obligation to cull pests).

One note on setting snares, CHECK THEM REGULARLY and kill the rabbits quickly (break neck)! It is quite a horrific experience killing such a soft thing for the first time!
Be warned rabbits are infested with fleas!
Read up on gutting and skinning them, also check liver for disease.
Gosh the list goes on.... Gutt them asap as they guts can poison the meat.
hehehee and if you split the stomach you will know about it!!

Put you off yet?

Good luck
Keefy

[Keefy]

Sorry for double posting but.......

Did you know that the only way you can tell the difference between a skinned rabbit and a skinned cat is where the liver is situated (and contents of stomach)?

[grummit]

hi tim you may find some good answer to your question about camp site's that alow fires over at bushcraftuk .com a good thing to try for a beginner to bushcraft would be feather sticks and different fire lays and just general carving teckneques to get used to knife control hope you have fun

[timmygowalkies]

Hey
Thanks a lot!
Keefy: I think you have actually put me off lol. I'll see how the other members of my group react and go from there. Thanks for the advice on farms and their rabid dogs!!

Grummit: I've already registered on the site and I will post a thread as soon as I get round to it. I have already feathered sticks and have made absolutely loads of fires on various scout survival camps and have taught younger scouts and members of the walking club about fires etc. Fire is the one thing I know a fair amount about lol!

Thanks again,
Tim

[Keefy]

Keefy: I think you have actually put me off lol. I'll see how the other members of my group react and go from there. Thanks for the advice on farms and their rabid dogs!!


It is well worth experiencing killing your own meat, just to make you realize how protected we are from reality. It gives you more respect for meat and animals, it may even turn you vegetarian! (not me though, I can't resist a bacon sarnie when camping)
I say, if you eat meat you should know what it takes to kill the animal. It is shocking I know but your morals and emotional maturity will develop very quickly once you have experienced it first hand!

It might be worth fishing first if you are worried, and I would certainly take someone with experience so that you minimise suffering (to the animal not you!)


Keith

[Billy]

hey

check out http://www.eweleaze.co.uk/ this is a great site that allows bushcraft and fires ^^

were there in August :)