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If you could concisely define what bushcraft is all about to you in 50 words or less, what would you say?

It means different things to different people but this is me having a shot...

"Bushcraft is about the skills and knowledge that allow you to thrive in a raw natural environment. Time tested techniques, often passed down by aboriginal peoples, and simple yet robust tools that strive towards self-sufficiency. Bushcraft is about being resourceful and engaging in the natural world"

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Tim Smith from Jack Mountain Bushcraft says:

"There are several definitions of bushcraft floating around the web, none of which I agree with. The most common is the one used on the Wikipedia page that states that bushcraft is the long-term adaptation of survival skills. I disagree. Bushcraft goes way beyond survival skills.

Bushcraft is the active component of our interaction with nature. Both art and science, bushcraft is doing, making, crafting, traveling, building and living in the natural world using simple, low-tech tools. Static knowledge, such as how to care for tools, etc., is a small percentage of the discipline. The vast majority is active, dynamic and hands-on."
"The ability to make/craft tools and shelter, then use the tools to find and catch food and gather water.
All in such a way one could live in the wild after getting there in ones birtday suit."


There you go 38 words.

Hey, I'm new to this, so dont shoot me (with a crafted bow & arrow) if my definition is completly wrong :D
Haha nope you are safe! Sounds good to me
I will try in 2 different ways.

'adaptation, improvisation, preparation, realisation, co-habitation, naturalisation.'

only 6 words, wow.

or

Bushcraft is ' The art of living in comfort with what nature provides, through the use of minimum equipment and maximum knowledge '.
Very nice, reminds me of a quote from a Ray Mears episode where a lady from Samoa said how when you learn to use a fireplough you can carry fire "in your mind and in your muscles"
Bushcraft: Knowledge, skills and wisdom related to living successfully in natural surroundings.
By engaging in the act of bushcraft, we cast off the constraints that bind all of (hu)mankind, and accept concurrently the physical laws of nature and the psychological and physical attributes of the individual as the governing forces of oneself.

"Let us first be as simple and well as Nature ourselves" (Walden) - Thoreau.

Hi Ryan... 

Interesting discussion. My definition;

"The ability to enjoy the outdoors without the use or convenience of unmaintainable modern equipment or materials. The enjoyably part is important - all those little skills that make life enjoyable and pleasant make it easy to survive in comfort, Being one with the environment with minimal impact. And survival too!"

Wow 50 words...lol

Hard to describe but here goes in a basic philosophical way, no poet here,
To eat, breathe,maintain good health in a respectable manner towards the natural environment to gain a better understanding of one's place not only in the world but with raw rugged beautiful reality.

Might be a bit long.

Another that I have on my pendant that i take into the bush is " bushcraft is a journey of neverending discovery "

Food for thought but i thought i would add my pennies worth

First of all, a Happy New Year to all - North or South of the Equator !

I have been lucky enough to have spent this christmas in a holiday let cottage in Cornwall (UK) on the edge of the Bodigga Cliff, not a single sound of civilisation, just the wind and the waves on the shore some way below us, and true, total darkness (when the sky was clear - no moon) A wood burning fire was the real bonus.

In the (blissful) week I spent there with my good Lady, I was reminded of just how much "junk" I/we live surrounded by. We had shelter, a roof above our heads, somewhere comfortable to sleep, electricity, running water etc. There was no 'phone, nor internet - it was PEACE, I have not slept so soundly for a very long time, and it was a time for reflection of all the detritus we seem to accepted as a normal requirement for our lives.

When I awoke in the morning, my thoughts were "when should I light the fire, do I have enough wood (for the fire), when shall we eat, what shall we eat ?"

I didn't hunt food, I found a farmer nearby who sold wood and basic food, eggs and vegetables, so I spent the week preparing the wood for the fire, making feather sticks from logs, splitting tinder, not a single fire was started using paper, a pheasant provided dinner christmas day (plucked and prepared by me)

So, in summary, for me, it is about getting away from the junk of modern day living, about getting back in touch with what really matters - it refreshes the soul ;)

Sorry about my abrupt reply  , survival ,  but since i have spent a lot of years " out there doing it " I have learned that survival must be foremost in the minds of all those who  venture over a stream /river that could flood and leave you stranded on the wrong side for several days or get caught by a suden change in the weather  you must always have the three 2's in mind 2hours before hypothermia gets you 2 days without fluids 2 weeks before you starve so going bush without the skills to deal with all of these possibilities  leaves you to the dire reasults ... Having been on many search and rescue operations Ican testify to the fact that most of the experienced ? souls that were rescued were not really experienced but had just been lucky all those years previously spent in the bush learning some of the skills needed is laudable  but if you are going into the bush  in anarea that could see you stranded without proper clothes, shelter, food or the means of obtaining them be sure you can summon help  .. once again sorry for being a bit abrupt  ... Rob

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