Become a Feral Woodsman Chapter 1 of 18

I am intrigued by the cultures that are still living a hunter gatherer life, granted there are few left, but a quick search shows more than we would think.

I believe, by some study, we as modern man can gain a lot of knowledge from these stone age living ancestors. By following those foot steps and gaining the intimacy, read knowledge, with the earth and the secrets it holds we can become real feral woodsmen. All we have to do is learn to think like them. Learn about the plants and their uses. Have an in depth awareness of the animals, tracks, dens, mating seasons, and the right time of year to make a move. Be aware of what different weather means to plants and animal alike. Develop a patience we do not own, because we don’t want to take the time to really learn. We all seem, at times, to forget what we are doing here in the first place.

The amazing skill it takes to be a feral man of the woods, desert , and swamps is a worthy goal, and we can achieve that goal by study and practice in the field by emulating the stone age hunter gatherer as best we can. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to be naked in the wilderness, although that might be an end result, but is not necessary. Clothing that is simple and protects us is all we need. Natural clothing can be had by harvesting a deer, a goat or whatever critters meet the criteria.

Learning to move through your environment, not disturbing the ground or the plants around you, is a skill that is learned through infinite patience. Practice a little at a time, through a chosen area. If you normally can go through that same terrain in 10 minutes, you might now take an hour or more… like a feral woodsman. The pay off comes slowly. No one would ever know you were there and you have learned to move in this place as quite as fog. Again, the skill of patience comes into play, but you will see things that you have never seen before, an edible plant, a track, a critter. Sounds become connected to a bird or other animals all because you are learning to move and see in a manner as never before. Sure this will take a lot of time but as you learn you will soon move as a natural man, a feral woodsman. Take it easy, slow your life down to a dull roar. Enjoy being in the wildwood and its beauty. Discipline  is a must and goes hand in hand with patience. I have hiked with folks who want to get from point A to point B as fast as they can. I think they are missing the very essence of being outdoors in the wild earth. Look at the view, the rocks, what moved the rock. What is that track? Take a picture of it, then later on compare it to the tracking books you should have.

Where ever you live research the history of the first peoples in that area. What plants did they depend on, how they use the plants and what were the seasons those plants could be harvested. Learn to ID those plants and the best way to prepare them. In the book “Tending the Wild”, by M. Kat Anderson, we find that the wild was not so wild after all. This is backed up by many studies… I’m not going to list all of them here. The first peoples planted and cultivated many plants, from tubers to willow and berry bushes. They used the practice of coppicing, as well. Broken off willow will grow just by sticking them in the earth. Willow that has been pruned regrows at a better rate. My friend, Christopher Nyerges, has been a witness to this over many years. Berry bushes are broken by the browsing bears and where they have been broken, new and stronger growth appears. The Indians did the same, perhaps through observation. They also did controlled burns to create an atmosphere for new growth. Across the U.S, the Indians were doing a more natural cultivation leaving it wild looking and to the European eye it was all wild, with no helping hand from man… turns out that is not the case.

You can do a method known as stealth planting yourself, helping to ensure the future of these plants. With little effort you can help the wild to keep growing and serve your needs as well. Never harvest all of one patch. Leave at the least 1/4th of the patch, or more. Collect some of the seeds and bring them back for replanting at another time. It is not hard and it is a start on the path to being a feral woodsman.

You may not want to hunt, but it is okay if you have no feel for it.

With all the new found skills you have practiced you now have the option of using primitive weapons, like a bow and arrow, atlatl, bolos, even a spear. A feral woodsman also knows how to trap using snares, dead falls, pits and so on. The information on traps of all kinds are found in many books and DVDs and classes are available as well.

Becoming a feral woodsman is a super survival skill and could keep you alive and thriving, not just surviving. An excellent read is the book by, Miles Olsen ” Unlearn,  Rewild”. Many parts of the book are not my personal cup of tea,, but The sections on survival are original and eye opening. His rewild philosophy hits many of the right buttons.

be a feral woodsman and enhance your life.

See ya in the woods, but I might see you first. If that happens, you failed and have more work to do as feral woodsman.

By Dude McLean

Please feel free to post comments on my articles, I enjoy hearing from and responding to my readers. When you're finished posting your comment please click PUBLISH to share your comment with me and my readers.