"Bushcraft... is the art of maintaining oneself and making one's way in sparsely settled, scrub covered or forested areas. This is done by using knowledge and various skills gained through study and experience with a minimum of tools or equipment. It teaches one to face nature on her own terms. it sharpens the senses and aids you to adapt, improvise and overcome difficulties. it builds and maintains your pride, confidence and self-determination and gives you the ability to lead, endure and succeed." - Dr R W Oelslager

Bushcraft skills include: firecraft, tracking, hunting, shelter building, the use of tools such as knives and axes, foraging, hand-carving wood, container construction from natural materials, rope and twine-making, and many others.

   

Bushcraft is complimented by woodlore. "Woodlore is having knowledge of the woods. It is knowing the names of the trees and flowers, the identification of wild edible plants, the building of shelters and the methods of making proper fires. It is learning and teaching the practices of anything relating to the woods including the building and construction of bridges, towers, rafts and camp gadgets. It is knowing about ropes and what to do with them." - Dr R W Oelslager

 Further Reading :

Bushcraft, Scouting & Woodlore by Dr R W Oelslager.
This nearly 300 page notebook is full of bushcraft skills, from the nuances of knives, axes and saws, to knots and lashings, maps and compasses and the art of making fire.

Primitive Wilderness Living & Survival Skills by John & Geri McPherson
John & Geri McPherson are true pioneers in rediscovering ancient skills. They do not settle for anything less than the truly primitive. They start with their bare hands and work their way up from there. In fact, they coined the term "primitive, primitive" to stand for primitive tools made with primitive tools.

Practicing Primitive: A Handbook of Aboriginal Skills by Steven Watts
Steven Watts makes the case that the learning and practice of aboriginal skills helps us connect with our remote past, encourages us to participate in the shared inheritance of primitive ('first') skills.

Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills & Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski
With clear instructions, extensive use of diagrams and a color photo supplement, this comprehensive reference includes all the practical skills and knowledge essential to survive and enjoy the wilderness.

98.6 Degrees : The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin
Cody teaches you core knowledge and skills, the science and psychology of survival. 98.6 Degrees focuses on adaptation, preparedness, regulating body temerature and simply what you need to do to survive.

Epic Survival: Extreme Adventure, Stone Age Wisdom, and Lessons in Living From a Modern Hunter-Gatherer by Matt Graham
Early on in his life, Matt craved a return to nature. When he became an adult, he set aside his comfortable urban life and lived entirely off the land to learn from the smallest and grandest of all things. In this riveting narrative that brings together epic adventure and spiritual quest, he shows us what extraordinary things the human body is capable of when pushed to its limits.

 Bushcraft / Primitive Skills Links :

Cody Lundin: Outdoor Survival, Primitive Living Skills
Aboriginal Living Skills School
Pathfinder - Dave Canterbury
Bushcraft Northwest: Wilderness Survival Training and Gear
Ravenlore Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills
Wildwood Survival - Wilderness Survival, Tracking, Nature, Wilderness Mind
NaturalBushcraft.co.uk - The true spirit of Bushcraft
JonsBushcraft.com - Articles and Tutorials
Woodsmoke - Bushcraft & Wilderness Survival
Bushcraft Living - Bushcraft and outdoor skills
Bill Qualls' Wilderness Survival Page
DevonTreeBushcraft.co.uk - Bushcraft
Living Primitively
Stone Age Skills
Handmade of Wood
Ragnar's Swedish Knife Catalog
Swenson Knives
BushcraftUK: Community Forum
Bushcraft USA Portal
A Bushcraft Book Collection