stm1957
NotMy1stRodeo
What is today referred to as "bushcraft" is similar to what we here in the U.S. have referred to as "woodcraft" or in some places "woodscraft" for many years.
Bushcraft is a British term that has commonly been used for many years in Africa and Australia . It refers to the very broad skill set used to somewhat comfortably sustain oneself in the "Outback" of Australia, or the "bush" of Africa. This can sometimes entail a very significant re-engineering of the local environment such as a semi-permanent Safari campsite or a "work camp" in the Outback. It typically can include fireplaces, non-portable shelters, tent platforms, and enclosed latrines, and it is the craft of constructing these things from the materials at hand. It also entails hunting, tracking, and the butchering and preparation of game meat, potable water procurement, personal and group hygiene, and even livestock management. All and all, not the most environmentally friendly mindset, but very much inline with 19th century England's concept of world colonization.
The American idea of Woodcraft (and Scoutcraft) is a bit more environmentally friendly and focuses less on construction, but more on: orienteering, the use of tents for camping, fire making, camp cooking, edible plant and wildlife identification, knots and lashing techniques, wilderness first aid, and emergency survival skills.
Wood / woodscraft has more recently taken on the connotation "bushcraft" perhaps because the term "woodcraft" started becoming a popular catch phrase with hobbyist woodworkers referring to their collective skill set... And also possibly because many of the more media savvy contemporary "outdoor authorities" are of British or Australian nationality or heritage.
I suspect very few of us in this country refer to the areas in which we camp as the "bush"... More likely we camp in the "woods".
Interestingly enough the American concept of "woodcraft" has evolved very much in the last 30 years and is much more inline with the Leave No Trace Principles developed by The National Forest Service in conjunction with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Modern woodcraft is more about minimizing your impact on the natural environment, rather than restructuring it to suit your particular whims.
I for one will continue to practice the modern concept of "woodcraft" and leave the "bushcraft" to the Brits and Aussies.... After all... Does a bear poop in the bush?
I think not!
Bushcraft is a British term that has commonly been used for many years in Africa and Australia . It refers to the very broad skill set used to somewhat comfortably sustain oneself in the "Outback" of Australia, or the "bush" of Africa. This can sometimes entail a very significant re-engineering of the local environment such as a semi-permanent Safari campsite or a "work camp" in the Outback. It typically can include fireplaces, non-portable shelters, tent platforms, and enclosed latrines, and it is the craft of constructing these things from the materials at hand. It also entails hunting, tracking, and the butchering and preparation of game meat, potable water procurement, personal and group hygiene, and even livestock management. All and all, not the most environmentally friendly mindset, but very much inline with 19th century England's concept of world colonization.
The American idea of Woodcraft (and Scoutcraft) is a bit more environmentally friendly and focuses less on construction, but more on: orienteering, the use of tents for camping, fire making, camp cooking, edible plant and wildlife identification, knots and lashing techniques, wilderness first aid, and emergency survival skills.
Wood / woodscraft has more recently taken on the connotation "bushcraft" perhaps because the term "woodcraft" started becoming a popular catch phrase with hobbyist woodworkers referring to their collective skill set... And also possibly because many of the more media savvy contemporary "outdoor authorities" are of British or Australian nationality or heritage.
I suspect very few of us in this country refer to the areas in which we camp as the "bush"... More likely we camp in the "woods".
Interestingly enough the American concept of "woodcraft" has evolved very much in the last 30 years and is much more inline with the Leave No Trace Principles developed by The National Forest Service in conjunction with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Modern woodcraft is more about minimizing your impact on the natural environment, rather than restructuring it to suit your particular whims.
I for one will continue to practice the modern concept of "woodcraft" and leave the "bushcraft" to the Brits and Aussies.... After all... Does a bear poop in the bush?
I think not!
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