Bushcraft Kits - Extreme Survival Gear

A Bushcraft kit contains tools for surviving off the land in very primitive surroundings and harsh conditions

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Think extreme survival gear and tools on a small enough scale that you can carry them in addition to a 72 hour kit.

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Morguefile.com

The basic 72 hour kit is great if you had to bug out to a shelter in your area. These shelters are not a place you would want to have weapons or gear such as an axe or firestarting materials. The smaller area you and your gear take up the more people can be housed in in the shelter. Emergency shelters are for situations such as a hurricane, tornado, or an earthquake taking your neighborhood off of the map.
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Sort out emergency gear into sets for mild or extreme emergencies.

We all know we should pack and have ready a 72 hour or bug out kit. These kits are designed and personalized to contain what we need to feed and clothe ourselves for approximately 3 days in the event of a disaster. Having food, water, first aid supplies, a bed roll, and a change of clothes is in the ideal bug out kit and are for general purposes. The basic necessities in these kits aren't something that need to take up a lot of space.

But what about the other gear you might want to consider?

Image: Morguefile.com

Video: How To Use An Axe For Bushcraft

In a Bushcraft kit we need to be ready to do some hunting, foraging, and fishing.
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Two items that come to mind are a buck (or bowie) knife and an axe (or hatchet). 

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These two tools are something that would not be allowed in a shelter but are necessities in roughing it and setting up camp in the great outdoors. 

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In addition to these tools also consider packing a standard mess kit like the ones the scouts use. It takes up very little space and packs neatly into itself.

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Don't forget a set of utensils!

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Bushcraft Kit Supplies:

Supplies such as a few yards of rope and twine can be invaluable for things like lashing together branches for a lean-to or tie down a tent in windy conditions. Twine can be handy for making a primitive bow or lashing sticks together. It can also be used for making animal traps. 

Suggested list for a basic Bushcraft kit:

Axe or Hatchet
Buck Knife
Fillet knife w/ knife sharpener
Magnesium Firestarter
Rope
Twine
A small fishing tackle box
Mess kit
Utensil Set
A small tent
Small shovel or trowel

Bushcraft tools and supplies in a portable kit can be an essential life saving set in the event of an extreme emergency OR maybe just an impromptu camping trip. Keep your skills fresh and tools handy!

There are other things I am sure I am leaving out but this list is basic enough to get you started. If you have any suggestions on what to put in a Bushcraft kit or would like to list the contents of your kit, feel free to post it!

Thanks for visiting! =)

What is Bushcraft?

Bushcraft is the skill set you would use in a survival situation either in wilderness or even in a shelter at home situation.

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Bushcraft skills include...

Firecraft - the ability to create and maintain a fire without matches

Tracking - knowing what signs to look for animals in the wild

Hunting - the knowledge of not only taking an animal for food but knowing how to dress and butcher the meat for consuming.

Fishing - an obvious skill and one of my favorites!

Other very helpful Bushcraft skills include:

• Shelter Building 
• Tools Use - knives and axes 
• Foraging
• Hand-carving wood
• Container Construction - using natural materials for baskets, storage, etc.
• Rope and Twine-making

(from: Wikipedia - see more...)

These are important skills essential to the maintenance of human life. Bushcraft skills are generally learned in Scouting Programs early and are a part of military survival training. Add these skills to your emergency preparedness planning list for the event you may have to use them!

   

Related sites: 

Bushcraft and Survival Skills

Preppers - Urban Legend OR Urban Myth?

Preparedness and emergency planning is what makes the difference in your being an urban myth or an urban legend. 

Let me site some experiences to help you relate to the difference.

Donner Party - Allposters ~ Affiliate Permissions
Donner Party ~ Image: Allposters

When the Donner Party headed across the plains they ignored strong advice to avoid the pass in the mountain now named for their fateful planning. In the cold of winter they found themselves trapped in crippling snow and ice facing a dreadful situation. In their lack of planning they resorted to cannibalism.

To me this lack of proper planning leaves them in my category of urban myth. 

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They did not survive well!

More on The Donner Party Here: http://raiboy.tripod.com/Donner/id14.html

And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

An Urban legend would be someone that has planned well and fortified themselves to withstand any crisis or disaster such as the scenes from this video:

Is this the category you fit into?

Who would qualify as an urban legend?

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Image Credit: MorgueFile

Modern preppers who have thought out their emergency list and the reasons and actions for planning are to me urban legends. These folks understand the ins and outs of preparedness and have placed their resources accordingly. They plan for sheltering in place for situations that would allow that and have put up a food storage and a supply of goods to carry them through these difficulties. They have also set aside equipment for supplying energy to their homes in the event the power grid goes down or some other calamity shuts off the electricity supply to their homes. They also have plans for defending their shelters. They garden, they stock and preserve foods and they go about their lives in regular routines but always on guard for trouble or additional ideas for emergency planning.

Image Credit: MorgueFiles

In the even of a disaster that would require an evacuation, these preppers have that planned out as well. They have set aside food, water, and supplies in 72 hour kits and have stock ready to go in their homes and their vehicles if needs be. Traveling on foot in a situation where they cannot use a vehicle is also on the list of emergency plans. Inside these kits are cooking gear, small tents or hammocks, first aid supplies and various tools and supply to aid in surviving in a wilderness setting. I can assure you most of them are trained to confront hazards that may be present on the road to safety.

Plan for emergencies today!

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Get your list, plans, and supplies together for preparedness and consider your family urban legends!