Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival (Bushcraft Survival Skills Series)

Great book. Covers the important details of skills and wildlife knowledge. Can even take it with you while outdoors. Researched well, takes from the knowledge brought forth by early age woodsmen, in addition to modern practices. An essential book for my library.

Most books about survival and outdoor skills don’t become “bestsellers”. But somehow Bushcraft 101 made it onto the 2014 New York Times list of Best Selling Sports Books. Why was that? In our opinion this book was popular because it’s a good, basic beginner bushcraft/wilderness survival book that can also be enjoyed by an experienced outdoors person because of the author’s credentials, writing style and content.Written by Dave Canterbury, known to many people as one of the original two survivalists on the TV show “Dual Survival,” where he was teamed with Cody Lundin (Dave was the one that wore shoes), the book focuses on Dave’s view of bushcraft; a view that means taking advantage of what nature makes available to you and using a minimum of gear to survive and thrive in the natural world, carrying “the knowledge and skills needed to create items straight from the landscape”.The main way that Dave’s book differs from the first two books on our favorites list is due to his focus on the skills necessary to thrive in the woods – not just the skills essential to surviving in the wild in an emergency. Because of this much of the book is based on Canterbury’s “Five Cs of Survivability” – items chosen since they are extremely hard to make in the wild and directly impact controlling your body’s core temperature. Dave’s Five Cs are:1) Cutting Tools – to manufacture needed items and process food2) Covering Elements – to create a microclimate of protection from the elements3) Combustion Devices – for creating the fires needed not only to preserve and cook food, but also to make medicines and provide needed warmth4) Containers – to carry water over distances or to protect collected food sources5) Cordages – for bindings and lashingsThe book also shows how Dave has a “systems” mindset (e.g. never carry anything unless it can perform multiple functions).The book has sections on:Gearing UpYour PackToolsRope, Cordage, Webbings, and KnotsContainers and Cooking ToolsCoverageCombustionIn The BushSetting Up CampNavigating TerrainTrees: the Four-Season ResourceTrapping and Processing GameAppendicesConserving and Utilizing resourcesWild Edibles and Medicinal PlantsBush RecipesGlossaryDave’s detailed section on Tools is especially helpful for people new to camping. We also like Dave’s “Four Ws” relating to setting up a camp – Wood, Water, Wind and Widowmakers. Having 256 pages, measuring 5½ x ¾ x 8½ inches and weighing ~10 ounces this is probably a book that you learn from but do not take on the trail with you. Although shorter than all of our other recommended books, Bushcraft 101 is not intended to be all encompassing – since it is only intended to cover the “20 percent of bushcraft that is of the most value”.

I'm about halfway through it, and so far here are my observations.1. Anyone who knows bushcraft/woodcraft isn't really going to learn much from the book. It is basics.2. It could use more illustrations, for sure. I understand what Dave is trying to say with various things, but someone who is a beginner is going to be like "what?" Some techniques just need to be illustrated rather than tried to explain in words alone. Probably these are some of the pictures the editor cut out.3. The book is remarkably well laid out and organized. I mean really well. It is systematic. Hard to explain, but this is a great book for a sort of Boy Scout field guide, or that type of thing.4. The book, in the gear section, has a gear list which is not only huge and heavy, but names brands like Wetterling and GB, which in my view is not something you should do for a "101" book ostensibly for beginners. I could see someone looking up a GB as a beginner and getting shell shocked by the price. On the flip side, he does explain the qualities you want in the tools such as your knives and axes, and backpacks very well, so if you are a beginner and can't afford a GB (who can? Not me), you still have guidelines on the length and properties of what you want in your tools.Better would have been to take a more "ideally, you want a GB, but you can get good tools with these properties, and here are some manufacturers that make quality tools at affordable prices".Overall, I think it is a very quality and handy book. I think it is more orderly, and therefore a better "textbook for learning", than some other classic books of bushcraft and survival. I think this book is a GREAT teaching tool, the sort of thing a dad and son can bring into the field, and dad use the book to teach his son. I would call it a 10/10 in this category.As a book to become an expert woodsman, or for a total greenhorn to read and learn, not so much. Maybe a 7/10 for a greenhorn....due to lack of illustrations to show some basic woodsman techniques. On this point, I don't think that was in Dave's control, as he lamented all the illustrations the editor cut out.

I have been involved in Scouting for a few years, and purchased this book to learn more outdoors skills to teach to my boy scouts. I learned some new skills, and some of the skills I already knew. If you are looking for a good resource to increase your outdoor survival knowledge, this is a great place to start. I will be keeping this and using it as a resource in the future. I purchased his Advance Bushcraft book, and will be starting that book soon. My only suggestion would be to have more pictures and diagrams, as some of the skills are explained in written form. Having more diagrams would be more beneficial to the novice outdoorsman. Look for a supplement book that has more pictures and diagrams, and that will help even more. Great resource!!

👍🏽

This book is packed with a lot of information. Easy to read and understand. I recommend for any pepper or hiker to keep this book in the pack at all times.

I absolutely love Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival!This book is fantastic for anyone wanting to learn about surviving in the wild. It covers all the basics in a clear, easy-to-understand way, making it perfect for beginners. It teaches essential skills like making shelter, finding water, and building fires.It's a really practical and inspiring guide. If you're new to bushcraft or just want to learn core wilderness skills, this book is a must-have. Highly recommend!

Great start for anyone!