Your Ultimate Fall Bushcraft Guide

Bushcraft in the Pacific Northwest: Finding Dry Tinder Even in the Wet Season

For outdoor adventurers in the Pacific Northwest, moisture is a constant companion. With fall rains sweeping through the region, finding dry tinder can be a tricky task. Fortunately, Heather and Todd from PNW Bushcraft shared their expertise with a helpful post on how to locate and prepare dry tinder, even in the wettest environments.

Heather and Todd suggest, “In the lush, often damp forests of the region, look for dry twigs, birch bark, cedar shavings, and pine needles. These natural elements are abundant and highly effective for starting a fire. Often, the driest tinder can be found under trees where the canopy provides some protection from rain.”

Once you've collected your tinder, the next step is to keep it dry.

A great option is PNW Bushcraft's Waxed Canvas Foraging Bag, which ensures your tinder and other collected resources stay protected from the elements.

Pairing this with one of our versatile Feather series blades, like the Flicker Feather Survival EDC Chisel Blade or Scout Feather Adventure Survival EDC Drop Point Knife, makes for an unbeatable combo for any bushcrafter.

Beyond just gear, fall bushcrafting in this region is about being prepared for long periods outdoors in damp conditions. If you're setting up camp or taking a break, you'll need a dry place to sit.

PNW Bushcraft’s Waxed Canvas Tripod Seat is a reliable solution, and you can even take it a step further by crafting your own tripod legs—a fun project you can find in Craig Caudill’s "Traditional Bushcraft" book.

However, as you set up your shelter or prepare a fire, don't forget about ticks.

Yes, whether in the cool, rainy Pacific Northwest, the colder temps of the Northeast, or the slightly warmer fall in the South, ticks are a common concern across much of the lower 48. Craig Caudill’s extensive tick prevention guide will help you prepare for this often-overlooked hazard. 

And with ticks capable of surviving the first frost, you’ll want to stay vigilant throughout the season. Did you realize they're equipped with an enzyme that works as a natural anti-freeze in their blood? I know! Crazy, right! They're amazing little buggers.

For that reason we're so grateful for Craig Caudill's Ultimate Guide to Tick Prevention in which he interviews The Tick Terminator himself, Brian Anderson.

 

  

Craig and Brian discuss that as the weather cools and snow begins to fall, ticks take to living beneath the fallen leaves. Add some snow cover, and those ticks are comfy cozy in natural insulation. They are not as active in the colder weather, but they do not go fully dormant. Don't be disillusioned into thinking that ticks are no longer a threat.

Ticks are the ultimate creatures of opportunity and will work themselves up through the snow to attach to dogs or other animals walking about -- including you! The best defense is to not give them the opportunity to crawl onto you, but if you can't avoid it, here are some ways to repel them.

PERMETHRIN: Before setting foot in the outdoors, pre-treat your clothing (boots, socks, pants, shirts, jackets, etc), tent and other gear with permethrin - but do not put it on your skin! Spray clothes the day before, let it soak down into the fabric. 

Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels ticks. When a tick comes in contact with it, the tick's nervous system is disrupted, causing paralysis and ultimately death.

Permethrin was created in 1973 and is a synthetic form of pyrethrin, the naturally occurring pesticide found in some chrysanthemum flowers. It comes in four concentrations (Farm Grade, Pet Grade, etc.) but the one you want is the one for use by humans on clothing, gear and tents. It lasts about six weeks or up to six washings. Sawyer Brand is one that Craig uses on the regular and Brian Anderson sells a brand on his site www.TheTickTerminator.com. 

Generally, the thicker you spray it, the longer it'll last. It's bad news for cats, bees, and fish. But okay for dogs. Of course you'll want to read and follow all the directions on the product for best and safest results.

DEET is also helpful in repelling ticks. There's a wide range of percentages of DEET in sprays. We learn from Craig and Brian that the percentage only affects how long it will last on you -- not the concentration of DEET in the product. 

Testing shows that a 30% DEET spray lasts approximately 6-8 hours; 100% DEET lasts 8-10 hours, possibly 12 hours. For most folks getting outdoors, a 30% DEET spray is just what you need. Just reapply it as needed.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Ticks do not like the smell of citrus, citronella, or garlic. 

Some folks say they can eat enough garlic to repel ticks. (I'm guessing that if you eat enough garlic, you could repel most anything or anyone!) That all comes down to your body chemistry and may not work as effectively for some as others. 

IR3535: found in products like Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Benefits to IR3535 is that it feels like a lotion, is scent free, and has sunscreen. Bonus it doesn't have to be washed off when coming in from the outdoors.

What if that's not enough to keep from being bitten?

We love Craig's level-headed response to being bitten: Recognize that it is not a death sentence. The key is early detection and early treatment.

1.  Full body check ideally every 12 hours, minimum every 24 hours while outdoors. Ticks love moist, warm areas so be thorough!
2. Find a tick? Carefully grab at the very base with fine tip tweezers, and pull straight up. (DO NOT TWIST -- and as Brian Anderson says, "Do not tick the tick off!")
3. Save the tick - stick it to a piece of tape or on a BandAid for identification later if needed
4. Monitor the bite area for swelling, discoloration, bulls-eye rash. Watch for symptoms such as swelling or achy joints, brain fog, flu-like symptoms, blurry vision, etc. 
5. DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS, even mild symptoms. Seek medical treatment early. Antibiotics are most effective when administered early against diseases transmitted by ticks.
6. Wash bite with rubbing alcohol  

Warming Up at Base Camp 

Once you've collected your tinder, (and hopefully avoided pesky ticks along the way), you'll need a good way to spark fire no matter the weather. 

We've curated a few fire-starter-favorites in our Pyro’s Paradise Bundle, packed with everything you need for reliable fire-starting in any conditions.

 

 

Fuel your fall adventures with a warm fire! Our Pyro's Paradise Bundle includes the following to make fire-starting a cinch: 

• Firebiner: fire-starting carabiner & multi-tool, bottle opener, mini-utility blade, key hang-slots, & screw driver
• Fire Flute: ferro rod & striker, tinder holder & emergency whiste
• Tinder Tabs - wax coated cotton tabs that catch a spark & hold a flame
• Contour Feather Adventure & Survival Knife: mini bowie blade, 90° spine creates generous sparks on built in ferro rod on sheath, emergency whistle in handle
• Replacement ferro-rods

 

Bushcraft in the Northeast: Foraging Done Right

The Northeast is equally stunning in the fall, but its environment offers a different set of challenges and resources for bushcrafters.

Acorns, for instance, are abundant this time of year, covering the forest floor. But did you know they're edible? Foraging for acorns can be a rewarding experience and turning them into acorn flour is a valuable survival skill.

Tim from Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival has provided a comprehensive guide on foraging and processing acorns. In his four part series, we learn exactly how to safely find, clean, crack and process acorns to eat. 

Acorn Foraging & Processing Part 1: Gathering

Look for mature acorns, without the cap and without any holes. Little holes in the shell of the acorn are the exit for nasty little larva that have destroyed the acorn meat inside.

Acorn Foraging & Processing Part 2: Cleaning & Drying

Tim's practical approach to using tools you have on hand is refreshing. No need to go out and buy something. Make use of what you have. Chances are you have what you need or can adapt something to meet the need.

Acorn Foraging & Processing Part 3: Cracking & Grinding

According to Tim, the freshly ground acorns smell a bit like maple syrup. Sounds delicious! 

Acorn Foraging & Processing Part 4: Leaching

Leaching is necessary to remove the unpleasant tannins in the acorn meat. According to Decanter.com, "Tannins bind with other proteins, including those in human saliva, and create a characteristic astringent, mouth-coating sensation." Leaching the tannins from the flour is a long but worthwhile process to make the flour edible. 

Tim tells me that acorn flour has a texture similar to almond flour and cooks up quite nicely. 

So, once you've processed the acorns, why not cook up some Acorn Pancakes or an Acorn Apple Crisp around the campfire? (Check out Tim's tried and true acorn recipes here.)

Just be sure to bring along some maple syrup for those pancakes! 

Not to give an edge to one state over another but fall + acorns + maple syrup = Owl Eyes Bushcraft & Survival Campout this October in Vermont. one of Tim's best selling events, grab your ticket today!

In addition to foraging, fire-making is a crucial skill for any bushcrafter. Tim recommends recommends our Firebiner as part of the standard bushcraft kit, make sure you've got one or that your current one is in tip top shape with our maintenance kit. This versatile tool is perfect for both quick day trips and longer expeditions like Owl Eyes' popular Bushcraft & Survival Campout in Vermont.

If you're not up for a multi-night adventure, we suggest you check out Owl Eye's half day Wilderness Survival 1 Course. They offer one per month through December in Townsend, MA.

No matter where your adventures take you this fall, be ready with the basics such as knot tying 

Bushcrafting Anywhere: Top 5 Most Useful Knots You Need To Know

Craig Caudill of Nature Reliance School is based in Kentucky but the bushcraft and survival skills he teaches apply to anyone wanting to get outdoors.

Brush up on your knot tying skills with Top 5 Most Useful Knots. Bet you're familiar with some of them like two half hitches, fisherman's knot or trucker's hitch. But do you know the Prusik? It can sure come in handy when wanting to slide something along your line or keep it in place with tension. Nice! Craig also teaches how to master the clove hitch, making it extra secure.

While none are meant to be used for climbing, these knots are ones you'll want to know when you're out in the woods.

 

As you gear up for your fall bushcraft adventures, remember that each region brings its own unique set of challenges. Whether you’re dealing with moisture and finding dry tinder in the Pacific Northwest or foraging for acorns in the Northeast, the right skills, tools, and preparation will help you thrive no matter where you adventure. 

We hope you're geared up and ready to Explore with Confidence this fall!

See you on the trails!

Mike & the OE Team