“Although it sounds like an alt-metalcore band name (at least to me), purple dead nettle is another common “lawn weed” that you’ve probably walked by every day without knowing what it was. Closely related to Henbit (which we’ll feature in a few weeks) purple dead nettle has a great range of edible and medicinal uses.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/16 - The 9-Volt Fire
“While you can certainly carry a 9-volt battery and steel wool into the woods (there are a few pieces of gear left that still take 9-volts), I consider this to be more of a MacGyver skill.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 4/10 - Common Vetch
“Vetch has fed humans for thousands of years. It’s been a forgotten companion to us that helped us leave the nomadic lifestyle of the stone age, settle down, and build civilizations. Although it’s rarely eaten in the modern era, you owe it to your ancient ancestors to give it a shot and eat it at least a time or two.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/9 - The Possum's Dump Pouch
“But you only have so many pockets, and your pack is usually full of stuff already. So like any good marsupial, you need a pouch. The solution to this is to carry a military mag dump pouch (or a carpenter's nail pouch) with you so you can easily collect resources as you go.”
Read moreStudent Spotlight April 2019 - Bill Reese, Instinct Survivalist
“Our belief is that there are no masters in this field, only students. And the greatest experts are the ones who realize this, are the most committed to their own growth and development. Such is the case with our brother Bill Reese.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 4/3 - Common Blue Violet
“The violet had great significance to the ancient Athenians, who wove necklaces and garlands out of European sweet violet blossoms for revelers to wear at their wild, wine-fueled spring equinox festivals. They believed violet moderated anger, strengthened the heart, and helped prevent “wine fumes” and next-day hangover headaches. “
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 4/2 - Water from a Vine
“Need water but can't locate a good source? In certain areas (rarely in GA, but it happens) you might be a good ways away from a creek or stream, or it might be a time of drought and sources may be dried up. If that's your situation, consider the grapevine.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 3/27 - Eastern Redbud
“Redbud seems to have taken root in the culture of whatever area it grows in. For most native tribes, the charcoal from redbud wood was the color of choice for their black war paint, which symbolized power and aggression.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 3/26 - Calculating Magnetic Declination
“When we’re kids, we know that down is south and up is north. Where a compass points is where Santa lives, and it’s at the top of the map. Life is simple. But when we become men (and women), start doing land nav, and put away childish things, it gets a little more complicated.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 3/20 - Chickweed
“Chickweed is one of the hardiest and most common plants on earth. Native to northern Europe, it has naturalized on every continent – even Antarctica.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip: 6 Reasons Not to Trust Your GPS
“Those who are new to the woods and believe that wilderness skills can be hacked like everything else are especially susceptible to this fallacy. But some things can't be shortcut. Some things, the old-fashioned, difficult, inefficient and time-consuming way is still the way to do it. Land nav is one of those things.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 3/13 - Forsythia
“As an edible, forsythia is a Godsend during this time of year. If you do much foraging, you know that late January through the end of March is an extremely lean time.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 3/12 - Counting Your Pace
“There is no ‘hack’ to getting your pace count right. There are best practices, followed by lots of practicing. Go out and find a place to lay out a 100-meter course, and get to it. What if you’re not military or SAR? Is this relevant to you? Absolutely.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 3/6 - River Cane
“Where river cane really shines is in bushcrafting. The uses of river cane for projects big and small is limited only by your imagination.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 3/5 - Conditioning an Axe Handle
“When you upgrade to an heirloom-quality axe, you’ll soon learn that there’s a maintenance schedule that comes with it. It’s not like the old Home Depot fiberglass-handle clunker that you could just throw in the toolshed and take a file to every now and then.”
Read moreStudent Spotlight March 2019 - Chris Hardy
“At SARCRAFT, we believe in staying the course and prevailing against all odds. We believe in living in victory, and thriving instead of merely surviving. And we believe that challenges and hardships, no matter how difficult, are blessings. Because they show us just what we’re made of, and give us the opportunity to become that much stronger.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 2/27 - Yucca
“While Yucca isn’t the most widespread plant in the Eastern Woodlands, it’s still a valuable asset to bushcraft and wilderness survival, and is well worth knowing.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 2/26 - Keep Your Tinder Dry
“Rain is a natural and unavoidable part of living in nature, and can be tolerated pretty well with proper planning and gear. But one thing is for sure – it certainly amps up the difficulty of firecraft.”
Read moreWild Edible Wednesday 2/20 - Creeping Cedar
“Creeping Cedar looks like something out of the age of the dinosaurs, because it is. Before that, actually. Remains of this exact plant are being burned as coal this very day.”
Read moreInstructor Corps Pro Tip 2/19 - It's All in Your Hands
“…If you’re carving out a comfortable living in the howling wilderness with only your knowledge and a few tools, that’s damn tough enough. I’ve got nothing to prove, so I’m wearing gloves. Here’s why.”
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