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Winter Bushcraft

September 14, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

A silent moment in a winter forest, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Cian Fagan).

Expecting the Unexpected

One of the great benefits of bushcraft is that you are surrounded by the drama of nature.

I remember a friend once describing a canoe journey he had taken with a small group of friends in Maine, USA.

As they were paddling along - something nearby caught their attention.

Just as they turned to look - a bald eagle boldly swept down, and right in front of them, grasped a fish clean from the river.

The whole group spontaneously hollered in surprise and joy. The perfect, wildlife moment.

Moments like those you cannot plan for.

And there are many great moments awaiting the adventurous soul that is not put off by winter.

Fire Skills: Natural Tinders

September 12, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

7 natural tinders collected in 15 minutes. Left to right: dead grass, dead clematis bark, dead bracken, dead blackberry stalks, dead horsetail stalks, dry horse dung, dead gorse (above), (Photo: Sean Fagan).

7 Natural Tinders collected in 15 Minutes...

An experimental mindset, patience and of course, having fun, are key facets in getting to know all the natural tinders in a given locality.

When it comes to tinders - many will ignite with a flame, some will ignite with a spark or smouldering ember, while a few tinders can even be ignited on damp, rainy days.

Additionally, many natural tinders require some form of processing to make them less coarse - and more fine (to improve their flammability).

This is all part of getting to know the rich lore associated with natural tinders…

And it’s a key part of becoming a competent, outdoors person that can get a fire going no matter what the weather.

In short, the more natural tinders an individual knows – the more fire-lighting options that are available.

Brief Homage to the Camp Fire

September 10, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

Enjoying a camp fire in the west of Ireland (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Fire holds a powerful fascination that resonates deeply within our species.

For myself, a camp fire is the quickest way I know of turning the woods into home.

And when I make my camp fire from gathered, natural materials – it’s all the sweeter.

Outdoor Awareness Skills

August 31, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan..

"Allow nature's peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees" John Muir (Photo: Sean Fagan).

.Seeking the Perfect Sit Spot

Discover how Sitting Still will Improve your Bushcraft

Often, among bushcraft enthusiasts, there is great emphasis on learning new skills.

Of course, technical mastery is important in bushcraft.

But what is rarely discussed is how to be when outdoors.

How to relax - and allow the drama of nature to unfold - is an important part of outdoor living.

A great way to achieve this end, is to find a quiet spot and sit still.

I've written a short, personal blog about the importance of sitting still...

...and how a sit-spot will improve your outdoor awareness skills.

I hope you enjoy it.

(Reading Time: 2-4mins)

Bushcraft Plants: Stinging Nettle

August 11, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

The coarsely-toothed leaf of stinging nettle (Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

Discover the Many Outdoor Virtues

of

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

.The stinging nettle is a fascinating plant.

It’s also an exceptional bushcraft plant.

Traditionally, nettle was used as a medicine, a source of nourishing food, a hair tonic and for making string and clothes - to name a few uses.

Discover how to eat nettle when outdoors, use nettle as a hair tonic, the wildlife associated with nettle, and much more.

How to Stay Cool in Hot Weather

July 11, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

Hot, sunny weather is to be enjoyed and respected. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Canada (Photo: Cian Fagan).

10 Ways to Keep Your Cool

When it's Hot and Sunny

Although most of us crave and enjoy hot, sunny weather the simple fact is such weather can cause complications.

When bushcrafting or doing other outdoor pursuits in wild, remote places - hot, sunny weather has to be respected.

Sunburn, hyperthermia, foggy thinking and dehydration are some of the outdoor challenges associated with high temperatures and sunny weather.

However, there is no need to suffer unnecessarily.

Learn 10 easy-to-apply tips to keep your cool no matter how hot & sunny the weather is.

Bill Mason, The Water Walker

June 25, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan
.

Baker Tents, Canoes, Bears, Ancient Cultures

&

Enjoying a Wilderness like an Artist...

Bill Mason, in his element (Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

Discover 4 Great Outdoor Tips from the great Bill Mason

The semi-autobiographical documentary, Waterwalker, made by Bill Mason, is set in the vast Canadian wilderness - and beautifully captures the raw beauty and majesty of the great Northern Woods.

There is much to learn about how to live in a wilderness from watching Bill's documentary.

To watch Bill's fantastic documentary and learn 4 valuable outdoor lessons from the great Bill Mason, click on link below.

3 Great Uses of Maps

May 27, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

Bronze Age circular engravings on rock (Photo: Sean Fagan - Southwest Ireland).

A map can reveal many secrets of a landscape that can be easily overlooked.

The rich tapestry of archaeology, folklore and place names interwoven throughout many landscapes adds a great richness to a place - and these can be found with maps.

Bushcraft and Art

May 22, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

.

DISCOVER 9 OUTDOOR ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES

Below is a 2 minute video of an aboriginal man playing a traditional, wooden musical instrument – the didgeridoo. The different sounds he makes with his didgeridoo is remarkable.

Since prehistoric times humans have painted, etched, composed music, sang and carved ornate wooded objects (to name a few artistic pastimes).

But what has all this got to do with the modern bushcraft practitioner or outdoor enthusiast?

To find out more...Read more

The Wild Pear Tree

May 17, 2015 / pioneerbushcraft@gmail.com

By Sean Fagan

The striking flowers of the pear tree (photo: Wikimedia Commons).

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The Peerless Wild Pear

The wild pear, Pyrus pyraster, is a non-native tree of Ireland and is believed to have originated from a cultivated variety of pear, the domestic pear, Pyrus communis, which was first grown in Ireland as a fruit crop about 400 years ago.

Learn more about the fascinating wild pear and discover 5 Bushcraft uses of the pear tree.