But if they keep cutting rainforest the dust will stay there and create desert like Sahara......??
World's most popular community & resource for hunting in Africa since 2007
Rough Camping & Survival Tips
When they were young boys, Bill Harley was tall and quiet, while Arthur Davidson was short and talkative.
Though different in personality, they shared a love for fishing.
They would ride their bicycles to a lake nearby for fishing outings, pedaling up the hills.
One day in 1895, they came across an inventor riding a motorcycle. Inspired by the machine and looking to make the commute of their fishing outings easier, the two would go on to start building motorized bikes.
Then they started a company.
They called it Harley-Davidson.
Though different in personality, they shared a love for fishing.
They would ride their bicycles to a lake nearby for fishing outings, pedaling up the hills.
One day in 1895, they came across an inventor riding a motorcycle. Inspired by the machine and looking to make the commute of their fishing outings easier, the two would go on to start building motorized bikes.
Then they started a company.
They called it Harley-Davidson.
The TV series 'Alone' Season 8 will start in June 2021.
Some interesting things can be observed out of the 10 selected items the 7 men and 3 women are allowed to took with them.
All 10 chose bows and arrows this time round [though previous participants were not very successful with it in the given harsh terrain.]
Then 8/10 took a Multitool pocket knife and only 2/10 a bigger hunting knife as the daily use knife of choice!
2/10 even choose not to take any fire making tool in the cold, wet and windy Alaska....
In the past the winners could stay for just under 3 months.
The psychological effect of being totally alone also played a big role in many tapping out.
A lot could be learned here about what basic items must be in your bag or vehicle in a survival crisis.
[Medical and firearms are not included here]
Here, on the other side of the world, where we have mostly hot and dry conditions , the 10 items on my basic survival list would look a bit different.
With our mostly dry and hard wood, I would probably swop the axe for a good panga/machete, and a big water bottle for the sleeping bag for a start....
What are your thoughts on this...?
Some interesting things can be observed out of the 10 selected items the 7 men and 3 women are allowed to took with them.
All 10 chose bows and arrows this time round [though previous participants were not very successful with it in the given harsh terrain.]
Then 8/10 took a Multitool pocket knife and only 2/10 a bigger hunting knife as the daily use knife of choice!
2/10 even choose not to take any fire making tool in the cold, wet and windy Alaska....
In the past the winners could stay for just under 3 months.
The psychological effect of being totally alone also played a big role in many tapping out.
A lot could be learned here about what basic items must be in your bag or vehicle in a survival crisis.
[Medical and firearms are not included here]
Here, on the other side of the world, where we have mostly hot and dry conditions , the 10 items on my basic survival list would look a bit different.
With our mostly dry and hard wood, I would probably swop the axe for a good panga/machete, and a big water bottle for the sleeping bag for a start....
What are your thoughts on this...?
Ike85123
AH fanatic
I would not take the bow+arrows,trapping wire,fishing line+hooks or the food ration.
The sleeping bag would be a comfort item, to keep my mind better adjusted. With the tools, I could make my own traps and dead falls. Tarp would be a water gatherer/temp shelter from cold or heat.
It would be a rough 3 months !
'Survival' fishing with a pocket knife and a 2 L Coke bottle...
Unless you (foolishly) go out into the African bush or desert on your own, you should never find yourself in a situation where you’re lost in the wilderness of Africa alone.
But, for those bizarre circumstances or highly adventurous individuals (who should be trained in survival skills), here are a few general tips for surviving in Africa’s wilderness on your own:
Find water: Without water, humans will die within two or three days. Therefore, it’s essential to look for water, but also to get to a water source in an efficient fashion.
From shivering to keep warm to walking and sitting in a hot sun to being at a high altitude, our bodies perspire quickly, making it essential for us to consume water frequently to replace the water we expel. So, when looking for a water source, conserve as much water as possible by traveling during the cooler parts of the day or night, and don’t eat salty foods / beverages or consumer alcohol (although I’m sure you’ll want to drown your worries in it).
Water in Africa’s wildernesses can often be contaminated with parasites and other microorganisms, so you must purify the water before drinking it. The easiest way to purify water is by boiling it for at least one minute in a pot. If you do not have any means for purifying the water, you have to make the decision to either survive at that moment and risk the potential for diseases later (which, for the most part, can be treated once you’re found), or, well, wait to get a water bottle that you know contains purified water!
When you do find a freshwater source, fill up any container you might have with the water. If you do not have a container, it would be wise to stay where your water source is, drinking small amounts of water every hour. Keep your eyes out for predators that can be found in lakes and rivers, including hippos and crocodiles.
Fish also contain drinkable water, which can be found in their spinal columns. Water found in plant vines is drinkable, as well, and does not need to be purified. And, of course, rain is always a purified drinking option. But, if you find yourself in the African desert, this might be hard to come by.
Always avoid drinking saltwater, blood, and urine.
Nourish your body with food: The best things to eat when you’re stranded in the African bush are the items that contain carbohydrates, since this gives your body energy, as well as protein, which can be found in fish and animal meat. Fat is also essential for survival and is burned off over a longer period of time, providing your body with a larger energy source. Fats can be found in animal fat and eggs.
Depending on where you are in the African bush, there are a variety of animals that can be killed for their meat, but the easiest ones to obtain include bugs and fish (many African snakes are poisonous, therefore, do not attempt to capture a snake for consuming). Also, look for bird nests and consume the eggs found within them. The birds can also be eaten.
Stay clear of any unfamiliar plants and mushrooms.
But, for those bizarre circumstances or highly adventurous individuals (who should be trained in survival skills), here are a few general tips for surviving in Africa’s wilderness on your own:
Find water: Without water, humans will die within two or three days. Therefore, it’s essential to look for water, but also to get to a water source in an efficient fashion.
From shivering to keep warm to walking and sitting in a hot sun to being at a high altitude, our bodies perspire quickly, making it essential for us to consume water frequently to replace the water we expel. So, when looking for a water source, conserve as much water as possible by traveling during the cooler parts of the day or night, and don’t eat salty foods / beverages or consumer alcohol (although I’m sure you’ll want to drown your worries in it).
Water in Africa’s wildernesses can often be contaminated with parasites and other microorganisms, so you must purify the water before drinking it. The easiest way to purify water is by boiling it for at least one minute in a pot. If you do not have any means for purifying the water, you have to make the decision to either survive at that moment and risk the potential for diseases later (which, for the most part, can be treated once you’re found), or, well, wait to get a water bottle that you know contains purified water!
When you do find a freshwater source, fill up any container you might have with the water. If you do not have a container, it would be wise to stay where your water source is, drinking small amounts of water every hour. Keep your eyes out for predators that can be found in lakes and rivers, including hippos and crocodiles.
Fish also contain drinkable water, which can be found in their spinal columns. Water found in plant vines is drinkable, as well, and does not need to be purified. And, of course, rain is always a purified drinking option. But, if you find yourself in the African desert, this might be hard to come by.
Always avoid drinking saltwater, blood, and urine.
Nourish your body with food: The best things to eat when you’re stranded in the African bush are the items that contain carbohydrates, since this gives your body energy, as well as protein, which can be found in fish and animal meat. Fat is also essential for survival and is burned off over a longer period of time, providing your body with a larger energy source. Fats can be found in animal fat and eggs.
Depending on where you are in the African bush, there are a variety of animals that can be killed for their meat, but the easiest ones to obtain include bugs and fish (many African snakes are poisonous, therefore, do not attempt to capture a snake for consuming). Also, look for bird nests and consume the eggs found within them. The birds can also be eaten.
Stay clear of any unfamiliar plants and mushrooms.
Most of the time these survival situations catch you unawares – and you will have not had time to prepare a survival kit. But it’s a good practice to keep a kit in your 4×4 or rucksack at all times. It will weigh next to nothing and may just save your life one day. Some of the most important things to include would be:
- Knife (backup knife)
- Firesteel
- Matches (loose in a Ziploc bag)
- Cotton wool (great for tinder)
- Potassium permanganate (for firestarting and water purification)
- Small fishing kit (i.e. hook, line and float)
- Paracord (or tough rope for multitude of uses)
- Ziplocs
- Tin foil (folded can be used as a fishing lure, in food preparation and to reflect sun and signal for help)
- Water purification tablets
- Bags: transpiration (clear) and black bags
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- LED light
- Signal mirror (more powerful than tinfoil)
- Candle
- Wire (for snares)
- Plasters
- Safety pins (can also be fashioned into a fishing hook)
- Mini hacksaw
- Pencil and paper
- Waterproof container (small)
- Torch (headlamp)
- Charcloth (which is cotton that has been burnt in a paint tin so as to leave a black fabric which is highly flammable)
- Dixie (cooking container)
- Poncho
- 1st aid kit
Trekking through the African bush may seem like an exhilarating, once-in-a lifetime adventure for many people. While it is definitely that, being in the wild is certainly not your usual “walk in the park”. What this means is that it is highly important to arm yourself with the adequate knowledge and preparation to support you when undertaking such journey.
Even if you are taking the trip with experienced guides, knowing how to look after yourself will always come in handy and make your experience even more enjoyable. Having this information will also give you a better peace of mind and you can avoid panicking in unexpected situations.
Here are some of the things you may encounter while hiking the bush and the best way to address these situations.
How to avoid dehydration:
Make sure you drink a litre of water before starting your day, especially if you are hiking. Pack enough water with you and check whether there will be a water source along the way where you can refill. A stainless steel or aluminium bottle is a good idea for remote areas so you can boil and purify natural water.
Don’t make the mistake of miscalculating how much water you need to drink because there may not be a safe water source during your journey.
It is generally the case that people cause the problems in the first place, so listen to your guide who will explain the comfort-zones and pressure-zones of all the animals.
Lion – Never run or they might think you are prey. Instead, you can stand still until it goes away. If it still tries to charge you, your only chance is to put your hands above you to make you look bigger and make lots of noise to scare it away.
Elephant – If their ears are fanned out, that’s a sign the elephant is uncomfortable and it’s time for you to back off. This could also be a sign of a mock charge. If the ears held back when the elephant is stressed then this could mean they are going to charge for real. Do not run but stay close to guide and listen to him/her. Sometimes making yourself bigger and making loud noises can result in the animal moving away.
Leopard – Never approach a leopard especially with its cubs, and for that matter, never approach any animal, particularly if it has young. Don’t run because even if you’re a fast runner, you can never outrun a leopard. Making noise and making yourself bigger is also a potential way to ward it off. You can slowly back away while still facing it but stop if it takes a step towards you.
Buffalo– Can get very aggressive very quickly but your guide will avoid buffalo encounters when you are on foot, but watching them from a safe distance is an amazing experience. The only way to survive a buffalo attack is if you can climb a tree. It is best to avoid these unpredictable animals altogether when you are on foot.
Rhino– Only admire rhinos at a safe distance to avoid confrontation with them. In case you are confronted with a rhino charging, try to put as many obstacles between you and the animal as their eyesight is relatively poor. Black rhino are said to be much more aggressive than the White Rhino. This may be due to the fact that Black rhino are browsers and feed on leaves in the thicker bush. As a result, they are more likely to be startled than a White rhino which is a grazer and feeds on grass in the open. Both are incredible animals to observe, and you can do this relatively closely (50 meters or more) if you are with a guide, very quiet and very still.
Crocodiles – Be watchful of crocodiles especially if you are near a water source. Air bubbles in the water usually mean they are nearby. A safe distance from a Nile crocodile is 5 meters away and 2 meters higher than it!
Hippopotamus – The deadliest large land mammal in the world. Avoid going between a hippo and their water source and always observe from a distance with your guide. If charged by a hippo, don’t try to outrun it as they can run up to 30 km/hour, instead, find an obstacle where you can go for cover and hide. The best way is to avoid it altogether and retreat at first signs of any hippo around.
How to protect yourself:
If you encounter a bushfire, don’t think that you are at a safe distance already. You have to run away as fast as you can and put as much distance as possible between you and the fire. When flames engulf the landscape, wind can make the fire travel very fast.
Most well managed game reserves and rural area will create ‘fire breaks’ by deliberately lighting fires in certain locations. These burnt strips of land are excellent at preventing a bushfire spreading.
Sit tight:
If you sit tight is very likely that you will be found quickly by the rest of the group or a professional search party, so don’t panic, calm yourself down, check your water and listen for the search party calling you or using their whistle. If you have a whistle, blow three short bursts every minute. The search party will hear the sound of the whistle as they get closer to you.
How to source food:
If you are not found, you are now in a survival situation and you will have to deal with how to source your food while trying to find your way back. If you’re lucky, you can eat fruits you encounter. A good tip is watch what monkeys are eating to know if they are poisonous or not. If the fruits are unfamiliar, better skip those as food sources as they may be poisonous. Eat ants, insects, worms, frogs and birds as a source of protein, if you can catch them!
How to source water:
Dry sandy river beds often still flow under the surface, so digging there is a very good idea. This does not use up huge amounts of energy and the sand is a very good filter too. You may need to dig down one, two or three feet to find water.
If you find a river or pool, best not to drink directly from it. Dig a small hole about 2 feet from the edge of the water source and let that hole fill. Again, the sand will filter a lot of the impurities.
If you have charcoal from your fire, keep it, as that is a very good way of filtering out impurities from the water. The more you filter, the cleaner the water.
How to survive the night and find shelter:
There is also the threat of having to survive extreme weather conditions especially if it rains heavily or the weather becomes too cold. Dressing in layers is a great idea so you can always remove layers of clothing or add layers clothing when needed.
The very best shelter is what nature gives us. As you are walking look for overhanging rocks, small caves or trees with large and thick canopies. These will keep the worst of the weather and wind off you and your trusty campfire.
If you can, surround your area with thorny branches by creating a fence-like structure. This thorny obstacle will deter predators. Don’t sleep near a water source as there may be crocodiles lurking especially at night.
If you are walking during the daytime, then rest in shade during the hottest part of the day.
Even if you are taking the trip with experienced guides, knowing how to look after yourself will always come in handy and make your experience even more enjoyable. Having this information will also give you a better peace of mind and you can avoid panicking in unexpected situations.
Here are some of the things you may encounter while hiking the bush and the best way to address these situations.
1. Dehydration
Travellers to Africa can often overlook the importance of drinking adequate amounts of fluids. The different climate in the region makes it much more necessary to ensure that you are hydrating and replacing the water your body is losing. While people can survive without food for a maximum of 3 weeks, you can only survive without water for 3 days.How to avoid dehydration:
Make sure you drink a litre of water before starting your day, especially if you are hiking. Pack enough water with you and check whether there will be a water source along the way where you can refill. A stainless steel or aluminium bottle is a good idea for remote areas so you can boil and purify natural water.
Don’t make the mistake of miscalculating how much water you need to drink because there may not be a safe water source during your journey.
2. Animals
Wild animals may seem cute or enchanting from afar but don’t make the mistake of trying to see them up close unless you have an experienced guide who tells you that moving closer is not going to be a problem. The animals you will encounter in the bush are so much different from those you see in the zoos, so be aware that you must protect yourself. Here are some animal examples and how to take care of yourself in case of an encounter.It is generally the case that people cause the problems in the first place, so listen to your guide who will explain the comfort-zones and pressure-zones of all the animals.
Lion – Never run or they might think you are prey. Instead, you can stand still until it goes away. If it still tries to charge you, your only chance is to put your hands above you to make you look bigger and make lots of noise to scare it away.
Elephant – If their ears are fanned out, that’s a sign the elephant is uncomfortable and it’s time for you to back off. This could also be a sign of a mock charge. If the ears held back when the elephant is stressed then this could mean they are going to charge for real. Do not run but stay close to guide and listen to him/her. Sometimes making yourself bigger and making loud noises can result in the animal moving away.
Leopard – Never approach a leopard especially with its cubs, and for that matter, never approach any animal, particularly if it has young. Don’t run because even if you’re a fast runner, you can never outrun a leopard. Making noise and making yourself bigger is also a potential way to ward it off. You can slowly back away while still facing it but stop if it takes a step towards you.
Buffalo– Can get very aggressive very quickly but your guide will avoid buffalo encounters when you are on foot, but watching them from a safe distance is an amazing experience. The only way to survive a buffalo attack is if you can climb a tree. It is best to avoid these unpredictable animals altogether when you are on foot.
Rhino– Only admire rhinos at a safe distance to avoid confrontation with them. In case you are confronted with a rhino charging, try to put as many obstacles between you and the animal as their eyesight is relatively poor. Black rhino are said to be much more aggressive than the White Rhino. This may be due to the fact that Black rhino are browsers and feed on leaves in the thicker bush. As a result, they are more likely to be startled than a White rhino which is a grazer and feeds on grass in the open. Both are incredible animals to observe, and you can do this relatively closely (50 meters or more) if you are with a guide, very quiet and very still.
Crocodiles – Be watchful of crocodiles especially if you are near a water source. Air bubbles in the water usually mean they are nearby. A safe distance from a Nile crocodile is 5 meters away and 2 meters higher than it!
Hippopotamus – The deadliest large land mammal in the world. Avoid going between a hippo and their water source and always observe from a distance with your guide. If charged by a hippo, don’t try to outrun it as they can run up to 30 km/hour, instead, find an obstacle where you can go for cover and hide. The best way is to avoid it altogether and retreat at first signs of any hippo around.
3. Bushfires
Bushfires can be ignited when the weather is very hot and/or the land is very dry. It can also be caused by human activity.How to protect yourself:
If you encounter a bushfire, don’t think that you are at a safe distance already. You have to run away as fast as you can and put as much distance as possible between you and the fire. When flames engulf the landscape, wind can make the fire travel very fast.
Most well managed game reserves and rural area will create ‘fire breaks’ by deliberately lighting fires in certain locations. These burnt strips of land are excellent at preventing a bushfire spreading.
4. Lost & Stranded
If you find yourself away from your group and you are lost in the bush, a lot of things can pose as threats including the threats outlined above: dehydration, animal threats and fires.Sit tight:
If you sit tight is very likely that you will be found quickly by the rest of the group or a professional search party, so don’t panic, calm yourself down, check your water and listen for the search party calling you or using their whistle. If you have a whistle, blow three short bursts every minute. The search party will hear the sound of the whistle as they get closer to you.
How to source food:
If you are not found, you are now in a survival situation and you will have to deal with how to source your food while trying to find your way back. If you’re lucky, you can eat fruits you encounter. A good tip is watch what monkeys are eating to know if they are poisonous or not. If the fruits are unfamiliar, better skip those as food sources as they may be poisonous. Eat ants, insects, worms, frogs and birds as a source of protein, if you can catch them!
How to source water:
Dry sandy river beds often still flow under the surface, so digging there is a very good idea. This does not use up huge amounts of energy and the sand is a very good filter too. You may need to dig down one, two or three feet to find water.
If you find a river or pool, best not to drink directly from it. Dig a small hole about 2 feet from the edge of the water source and let that hole fill. Again, the sand will filter a lot of the impurities.
If you have charcoal from your fire, keep it, as that is a very good way of filtering out impurities from the water. The more you filter, the cleaner the water.
How to survive the night and find shelter:
There is also the threat of having to survive extreme weather conditions especially if it rains heavily or the weather becomes too cold. Dressing in layers is a great idea so you can always remove layers of clothing or add layers clothing when needed.
The very best shelter is what nature gives us. As you are walking look for overhanging rocks, small caves or trees with large and thick canopies. These will keep the worst of the weather and wind off you and your trusty campfire.
If you can, surround your area with thorny branches by creating a fence-like structure. This thorny obstacle will deter predators. Don’t sleep near a water source as there may be crocodiles lurking especially at night.
If you are walking during the daytime, then rest in shade during the hottest part of the day.
Additional Tips
It is completely possible to have a safe and worry-free trip to Africa. Don’t be dismayed by these things because as long as you prep well, you’ll definitely have nothing to worry about!- Don’t forget to pack your personal first aid kit. You don’t need to bring an entire hospital with you. Just bringing a small bag with plasters, gauze, antiseptic wipes, and insect repellent/cream can help a lot.
- Another helpful tip is having a multi-tools device. AWT recommends the Leatherman multi-tool which is a heavy-duty device you can use to open cans, slice fruits, cut string, remove thorns etc.
Last edited:
BigJohnx13
AH veteran
Duct tape = The sky is the limit
Boot legging/puttees catches ticks
Boot legging/puttees catches ticks
Updated SAS Survival book pdf
More than 750 pages!
More than 750 pages!
jeanes
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 545
- Reaction score
- 1,386
- Location
- Texas
- Member of
- TSRA Life Member, NRA
- Hunted
- Texas, Colorado, South Dakota
I recently saw a movie called "Safari" about a game viewing drive gone very wrong. Those folks could have used a lot of this information. Thank you for posting these.
During the Mau Mau Uprising in British Kenya in the 1950s, settler-hunter Ken Duffield is a hired guide for a lion hunting party but he also hopes to find the Mau Mau rebel who killed his family.
BigJohnx13
AH veteran
Safari 1956 Classic movie
Safari The modern movie about survival. Not much going on here
Safari The modern movie about survival. Not much going on here
Some 'SURVIVAL' fallacies!
Hygiene Is Not Important to Survival
Not true. A lack of hygiene makes you more prone to illness. If you cannot bathe in the conventional sense, then strip down and take a smoke bath. The smoke from your fire will kill most of the bacteria.
I Can Survive in the Wilderness With Just a Knife!
Yes, it can be done. However, it takes a very experienced survivalist to pull this off. More importantly, why would you try it if you have the option of bringing other supplies? Your goal is to make survival as easy as possible.
I Have a Cut, but if I Stop the Bleeding Then I Should Be Fine
More people in the wilderness die from infections than from bleeding out. You have to clean the wound and apply fresh bandages regularly to keep it from getting infected.
I have a Shelter and will save time by just sleeping on the Ground
Do not do it. The ground draws heat out of your body at an alarming rate. Either build a bed, hang a hammock, or pile debris up to keep you at least four inches off the ground.
Snakes, Gators, and Wild Hogs Are a Good Food Source
I know there are plenty of people that think it is pretty impressive when someone kills and eats a gator on TV. It is just not smart. Your general rule should be not to hunt things that can hunt you.
When Cooking a Fish, It Is Best to Filet It
There are tons of nutrients and oils in the scraps that most people throw in the trash. Always boil the fish and then drink the broth. You can also save the head for the following day to make fish head soup for breakfast. You can make three or four meals out of one big fish if you do it right.
If You Are Fishing, use a makeshift fishing rod, that is the Best Option
In most cases the benefit of fishing is that you can set it up and forget it. You can build a trot-line and bait several hooks on the same line, set up a gill net, or build a primitive fish trap. In all cases you can check it once a day and collect your meal.
If I Set Up a Few Snares or Traps, I Will Get a Meal
Uh, no. Statistically, 5% of primitive traps set are successful. That means that you need to set 20 traps to get one animal. If you are good at what you do, you can improve those odds.
Hunting Is the Best Way to Get Food
A lot of movies and television shows make it look like any real survivalist will go hunting and kill an animal on their first day. It does not work that way in the real world.
Collecting wild edibles is by far the most efficient way to get calories. That would then be followed by fishing, trapping, and then hunting as a last resort. You have to weigh your odds of success with the calories you will burn.
Talking of wild edibles, Mushrooms Are a Good Food Source
Not for me. It is so difficult to properly identify mushrooms that I typically steer clear. The exception would be morels. If you are wrong, it could kill you.
Any Dry Wood Will Work for a Friction Fire
Sadly, no. It takes lots of practice to figure out which woods work best for friction fires. I suggest you use this method as often as possible if you plan to use it in survival situations. It can be very challenging.
If It Is Raining, You Cannot Find Dry Wood
Well you have to get a little creative, but it is out there. Look for dead branches that are up off the ground. Pull little dry twigs from the base of evergreen trees. Split logs and use material from the inside. Strip the bark off of sticks as it absorbs most of the moisture. You can also use a manual pencil sharpener to get at the interior wood of sticks.
All Tinder is Created Equal
Nope. While it all has to be fine and fluffy, some works better than others. Birch bark and pine resin have chemicals that are waterproof and flammable. They can save you if it is raining. You can also bring tinder with you to make life a little easier.
Hmm, that water looks clean or it’s running, I can I drink it?
This is absolutely not true. Many of the contaminants in water are not visible to the naked eye. There are dozens of bacteria and microorganisms that do not change the color of water. If you have a choice between murky, stagnant water and clear running water, I would pick the latter… but it still needs to be purified. But if you have the time and energy, do find better water sources out in the wild.
I’m Fine! I Am Not Dehydrated Because I’m Not Thirsty!
It has been shown that most people are chronically dehydrated. Part of the reason why is that we wait until we are thirsty before we hydrate. In a survival situation, you need to drink water as often as possible.
A gallon a day for mild conditions and two gallons a day for extreme hot or cold weather is a good rule to follow. On my last survival challenge I drank three gallons per day while hiking 10 miles a day and was still dehydrated.
If I Have a Lighter With Me, making a Fire is Easy
Not true. If your firewood is wet, having a lighter will not help much. You also have to gather the right kind of firewood. If it is too thick, you will never get it started. Lighters break and run out of fluid, wind can blow out your flame, and they can become waterlogged. Always have a backup plan that is waterproof, windproof, and does not require fuel.
Hygiene Is Not Important to Survival
Not true. A lack of hygiene makes you more prone to illness. If you cannot bathe in the conventional sense, then strip down and take a smoke bath. The smoke from your fire will kill most of the bacteria.
I Can Survive in the Wilderness With Just a Knife!
Yes, it can be done. However, it takes a very experienced survivalist to pull this off. More importantly, why would you try it if you have the option of bringing other supplies? Your goal is to make survival as easy as possible.
I Have a Cut, but if I Stop the Bleeding Then I Should Be Fine
More people in the wilderness die from infections than from bleeding out. You have to clean the wound and apply fresh bandages regularly to keep it from getting infected.
I have a Shelter and will save time by just sleeping on the Ground
Do not do it. The ground draws heat out of your body at an alarming rate. Either build a bed, hang a hammock, or pile debris up to keep you at least four inches off the ground.
Snakes, Gators, and Wild Hogs Are a Good Food Source
I know there are plenty of people that think it is pretty impressive when someone kills and eats a gator on TV. It is just not smart. Your general rule should be not to hunt things that can hunt you.
When Cooking a Fish, It Is Best to Filet It
There are tons of nutrients and oils in the scraps that most people throw in the trash. Always boil the fish and then drink the broth. You can also save the head for the following day to make fish head soup for breakfast. You can make three or four meals out of one big fish if you do it right.
If You Are Fishing, use a makeshift fishing rod, that is the Best Option
In most cases the benefit of fishing is that you can set it up and forget it. You can build a trot-line and bait several hooks on the same line, set up a gill net, or build a primitive fish trap. In all cases you can check it once a day and collect your meal.
If I Set Up a Few Snares or Traps, I Will Get a Meal
Uh, no. Statistically, 5% of primitive traps set are successful. That means that you need to set 20 traps to get one animal. If you are good at what you do, you can improve those odds.
Hunting Is the Best Way to Get Food
A lot of movies and television shows make it look like any real survivalist will go hunting and kill an animal on their first day. It does not work that way in the real world.
Collecting wild edibles is by far the most efficient way to get calories. That would then be followed by fishing, trapping, and then hunting as a last resort. You have to weigh your odds of success with the calories you will burn.
Talking of wild edibles, Mushrooms Are a Good Food Source
Not for me. It is so difficult to properly identify mushrooms that I typically steer clear. The exception would be morels. If you are wrong, it could kill you.
Any Dry Wood Will Work for a Friction Fire
Sadly, no. It takes lots of practice to figure out which woods work best for friction fires. I suggest you use this method as often as possible if you plan to use it in survival situations. It can be very challenging.
If It Is Raining, You Cannot Find Dry Wood
Well you have to get a little creative, but it is out there. Look for dead branches that are up off the ground. Pull little dry twigs from the base of evergreen trees. Split logs and use material from the inside. Strip the bark off of sticks as it absorbs most of the moisture. You can also use a manual pencil sharpener to get at the interior wood of sticks.
All Tinder is Created Equal
Nope. While it all has to be fine and fluffy, some works better than others. Birch bark and pine resin have chemicals that are waterproof and flammable. They can save you if it is raining. You can also bring tinder with you to make life a little easier.
Hmm, that water looks clean or it’s running, I can I drink it?
This is absolutely not true. Many of the contaminants in water are not visible to the naked eye. There are dozens of bacteria and microorganisms that do not change the color of water. If you have a choice between murky, stagnant water and clear running water, I would pick the latter… but it still needs to be purified. But if you have the time and energy, do find better water sources out in the wild.
I’m Fine! I Am Not Dehydrated Because I’m Not Thirsty!
It has been shown that most people are chronically dehydrated. Part of the reason why is that we wait until we are thirsty before we hydrate. In a survival situation, you need to drink water as often as possible.
A gallon a day for mild conditions and two gallons a day for extreme hot or cold weather is a good rule to follow. On my last survival challenge I drank three gallons per day while hiking 10 miles a day and was still dehydrated.
If I Have a Lighter With Me, making a Fire is Easy
Not true. If your firewood is wet, having a lighter will not help much. You also have to gather the right kind of firewood. If it is too thick, you will never get it started. Lighters break and run out of fluid, wind can blow out your flame, and they can become waterlogged. Always have a backup plan that is waterproof, windproof, and does not require fuel.
The 10 x Alone Season 8 participants--Bear Mountain.
Interesting 10 survival item choices of each!
Some NO ferro rod in an ice cold and wet environment...??
A Water Bottle..??
Interesting 10 survival item choices of each!
Some NO ferro rod in an ice cold and wet environment...??
A Water Bottle..??
A pit survival long term shelter on Alone....
[Just an example shown here]
The first of its kind in 8 seasons!
Dug out by a lady--Theresa!
It will be interesting to see how it worked out for her!
[Just an example shown here]
The first of its kind in 8 seasons!
Dug out by a lady--Theresa!
It will be interesting to see how it worked out for her!
Members online
- 318AE
- MontanaGrant
- Jon Glajchen
- wysongdog
- autofire
- wesheltonj
- Slickshooter
- LimbNoMo
- Hunter-Habib
- CM McKenzie
- rhoward252
- Boyd Brooks
- JRWcows
- Tundra Tiger
- DERIAN KOEKEMOER SAFARIS
- Woody
- NJS416
- TucsonFX4
- sureshot375
- Doug Hamilton
- Hannay
- Bailey Vinac
- Esoteric Junkie
- RobBrown505
- WAB
- capra-capra
- analog_peninsula
- Bivy
- Boela
- A382DWDZQ
- chevy_dog
- Colt Henderson
- Rusty Iron
- Trogon
- Rickmt
- revturbo9967
- Aussie_Hunter
- Alistair
- Beaufort
- Scanos
- NTO
- Kynadog
- 686
- Happy Myles
- JimmyJack54
- cls
- CZDiesel
- 264
- Mark Biggerstaff
- Goat416
Forum statistics
Latest profile posts
Grz63 wrote on roklok's profile.
Hi Roklok
I read your post on Caprivi. Congratulations.
I plan to hunt there for buff in 2026 oct.
How was the land, very dry ? But à lot of buffs ?
Thank you / merci
Philippe
I read your post on Caprivi. Congratulations.
I plan to hunt there for buff in 2026 oct.
How was the land, very dry ? But à lot of buffs ?
Thank you / merci
Philippe
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
Chopped up the whole thing as I kept hitting the 240 character limit...
Found out the trigger word in the end... It was muzzle or velocity. dropped them and it posted.
Found out the trigger word in the end... It was muzzle or velocity. dropped them and it posted.
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
2,822fps, ES 8.2
This compares favorably to 7 Rem Mag. with less powder & recoil.
This compares favorably to 7 Rem Mag. with less powder & recoil.
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR MY RIFLE, ALWAYS APPROACH A NEW LOAD CAUTIOUSLY!!*
Rifle is a Pierce long action, 32" 1:8.5 twist Swan{Au} barrel
{You will want a 1:8.5 to run the heavies but can get away with a 1:9}
Peterson .280AI brass, CCI 200 primers, 56.5gr of 4831SC, 184gr Berger Hybrid.
Rifle is a Pierce long action, 32" 1:8.5 twist Swan{Au} barrel
{You will want a 1:8.5 to run the heavies but can get away with a 1:9}
Peterson .280AI brass, CCI 200 primers, 56.5gr of 4831SC, 184gr Berger Hybrid.
Fire Dog wrote on AfricaHunting.com's profile.
I know that this thread is more than a year old but as a new member I thought I would pass along my .280AI loading.
I am shooting F Open long range rather than hunting but here is what is working for me and I have managed a 198.14 at 800 meters.
That is for 20 shots. The 14 are X's which is a 5" circle.
I am shooting F Open long range rather than hunting but here is what is working for me and I have managed a 198.14 at 800 meters.
That is for 20 shots. The 14 are X's which is a 5" circle.