Trap and Tell - Raccoon

The raccoon is as intelligent and adaptable as it is nutritious. These things are the monkeys of north Georgia and get into enough shenanigans to prove it.

Sunchoke char for firestarting

Charcloth is made from cotton material and carried into the field to help produce embers for firestarting. A common criticism of this practice is that charcloth can not be reliably produced in the field without destroying clothing or gear. In this video, char is created from the pithy inner cores of  Jerusalem artichoke stems (a fairly common wild food source).

Cooking acorn patties

When the wife is away, it's time to cook weird stuff in the kitchen. I collect buckets full of acorns for my goats. Some I shell, grind into flour and soak overnight in the stream beside my house (to remove poisonous tannins) for human consumption. In this video, patties of ground acorn meat are fried for lunch. Not only are acorns a vital resource for wildlife, they are plentiful enough to feed a nation in times of crop shortages or collapse.

Homemade rat trap

You might not always have access to store bought traps, or you might prefer less lethal means of eradication. In any case, its good to know one or two ways to catch household varmints with stuff lying around the house.

Hand drill fire

It took about a week to get my hands conditioned for this and I have the healing blisters to prove it. So, anybody that saw me walking around spinning a stick between my hands - now you know. This is my new favorite firecraft method, since the prep is minimal and materials abundant.

Steel wool fire starter

The 9 volt/steel wool fire trick always seemed cheesy to me. What are the chances I'd have either out in the woods? With a little experimentation, though, it became obviouse this stuff would take a spark off anything. Turns out fine 0000 steel wool is an exceptional tinder alternative (but ditch the battery).

Bamboo fire saw

There is a lot of bamboo growing in my area. Utilizing a technique developed in the jungles of southeast asia, bamboo can be used to start a fire. It's always important to make due with what you have. 

Plant profile - Wood & Sheep Sorrel

Lots of "weeds" are edible and even good for you. Don't wait until the grocery stores sit empty before learning what's what.

Improve your chances, Tip # 4

Keep a lighter in your pocket or bag, even if you don't smoke. A bic will light over 3000 times. If you don't accidentally press the thumb bar down and let all the gas out, you might never use it up. Pretty good investment for $1.

Fire lens

I really struggled with this method. There are so many anecdotal accounts of kids burning down neighborhoods trying to fry ants... I thought it would be super simple. There is actually a finese to it -certain materials work best, the ember must be coaxed a particular way. This lady fire is a fickle hellcat.

Crawfish trap

Everybody loves a good mess of mudbugs! Are you with me? Here is a scaled up version of the funnel trap with a couple of innovations. You'll be filling a big pot with crawfish and Old Bay Seasoning before you know it.

Natural bug repellents

As buzzing pests tuck themselves in for winter, here are some landscaping suggestions for those who wish to cultivate allies in the fight against spring stings.

Plant profile - Comfrey

Comfrey is also called boneset or bone knit, and does just that. For centuries, folks in the know have used the leaves and root as a poultrice for sprains, breaks and inflamation. A substance in the plant has been proven (anecdotally and scientifically) to enhance cell regeneration. It might not make you Wolverine, but you will heal drastically quicker.

Make an antler and penny bearing block for your fire drill.

This is a way to reduce friction on the bearing block of your bow drill set. All of the heat creation needs to occur on the hearth board to make an ember more efficiently. It is also an attractive, permanent improvement to your fire kit.

Fire from a deer antler

I'm in a pyro phase. Here, I'm trying to push the envelope on ways to construct a bow drill kit. Using antler greatly extends the life of your fireboard (you may never need to replace it). It also improves functionality in wet environments.

Corn Husk Dolls

Thanks to my mother, this fall tradition will survive another couple of generations. She taught me when I was a child and I will show my son when he gathers a few more years. Making these for video, I remembered all the neat things we learned together. What a genius, my mother, and one of the best people I'll ever know.

Fire from a broken computer

When your high tech gadgets die in the unavoidable apocalyptic collapse, consider the possiblity of making more reliable primitive tools from their pieces parts.

Campfire ramble (and a ghost?)

Watch the fire early on as I am talking, then look over my head about midway through. Any ghost hunters out there?

Improve your chances, Tip # 3

The cane is one of those items that seems innocent. Despite controversy around concealed carry, no businesses or government building would deny use of a walking aid. I tested this theory at several establishments. Mind you, I did not pretend lameness. At Walmart, I threw the thing in my buggy. At the mall, I carried it in hand and walked briskly. At smaller businesses, I looped it over the shoulder and browsed. Not once was I confronted. Though I carried a solid piece of oak with enough reach to knock out legs, break wrists and crack heads, no one seemed to notice. Imagine my advantage in a confrontation. 

Plant profile - Luffa Gourd

The luffa is an interesting, multi-purpose vegetable. Though I am passionate about perennial agriculture, this annual vine is worth a spot in the garden.

Dakota hole

A cooking solution for ninjas and leave no trace campers - the dakota hole is stealthy and safer in windy and/or dry conditions.

Plant profile - Plantain

From Europe with love, plantain was cultivated as a food and medicinal crop oversees but has become a derided weed in every American lawn.

What's in the box? Final episode!

Hurricane Joaquin is finally wearing itself out and the rains are subsiding. Dare I hope this will be the last mystery box video? It would be ever so nice to frolic outdoors again without waving at Noah as he floats by. That guy never has room for hitchhikers.

2016 Winter Forecast

Looks like snow in north Georgia. For generations, people have used the persimmon seed to prognosticate winter weather. By splitting the seed, the white embryo is exposed. If shaped like a knife, expect heavy wind. A spoon indicates snow (think snow shovel). Forks mean kind weather all season. My theory is that year-long weather effects growth rate. If the fruit is relatively immature by fall, you get the knife, farther along, the spoon and most mature, the fork. As weather comes in cycles, this has proven a fair predictor of where we are on nature's seasonal timetable.

What's in the box? Episode 3

Thanks to Hurricane Joaquin, it is still raining in northeast Georgia. So let's see what else is in the box...

What's in the box? Episode 2

This is a continuation of the first "what's in the box" video, same idea with an international flair.

Improve your chances, tip # 2

Put a few plastic bottles of water in your freezer when it isn't completely full (leave about three inches empty at the top of each one). This gives several additional hours of food safety in a blackout. If you also put a baggy of ice cubes in there, you will know if the stored food might be dangerous when the freezer kicks back on (the cubes will have melted and refrozen into a shapeless mass).

What's in the box?

It's been raining so much is my area, I've decided to start an indoor series focusing on non-conventional uses of household items. I get bored a lot. Special thanks to S.B., R.B., C.B. and B.N. for helping me figure this one out.

Three stick deadfall trigger - balance is everything

These were poplar sticks I had squared with my table saw for another project. A lot of the most common triggers are reliable but require multiple notches. This simple example was probably an ancestor of the more complicated varieties.

Plant profile - Winter Hardy Kiwi

These are Russian cousins to the larger kiwifruit we are used to eating at restaurants and catered events. The taste is quite similar. Those bigger ones originated in southern China, were carried to New Zealand and are now grown commercially in California. You can grow your own winter hardy kiwis in north Georgia (zone 6) and further south.

Improve your chances, tip # 1

My maternal grandfather always carried a hanky. The accessory fell out of fashion in my parents' generation, but I tolerated teasing from kids in school to be like Papaw. Over the years, the standard piece of white linen in my pocket has evolved into bandanas running the color gamut. I don't leave home without one. The uses are myriad; hygiene, food processor (crushing, soaking, straining), water filter, first aid (tourniquet, bandage, sling), hat, sleep mask, storage (hobo bundle), germ/pollution protection, glove/wrist guard, sweat band, identity concealment, fire assist (char cloth, cotton fire roll), binding/cordage... why aren't you carrying one too?

Four block rocket stove

In the event of an extended power outage, it helps to have multiple means to cook meals and sanitize water. This is a cheap, easy stove that sets up in seconds.

Plant profile - Goji Berry

Goji is a Chinese native that enjoys popularity in American health food stores. It is often called Wolfberry in the states and is typically sold dried like raisins. Fresh berries and leaves have superior nutrition and higher antioxidant levels, so why not grow your own?

Plant profile - Black Walnut Tree

Learn to identify this important tree. The nuts are delicious and can be pressed for a healthful cooking oil. Iodine in the hulls is medicinal, a curative for fungal skin infections and an antiseptic. Watch for brief discussions of the tree's value during atomic emergencies and its place in appalachian folklore.

Plant profile - Yucca

In Georgia, these used to be called "meat hangers" because the long, sharp leaves were threaded through slabs of meat and tied to sticks for the smokehouse. The plant was used extensively by our ancestors for food, cordage and fire making.

Fresnel lens - Experiment # 2

First there was burning, now we melt something. Stay tuned for water purification and cooking.

Fresnel lens fire

My friend Jimbo asked me to haul his broken television to the dump. I took it apart to remove the fresnel lens (a large sheet of thick plastic covered with concentric circles). The circles are designed to focus light, making it a huge magnifying glass capable of fiery carnage. I'm the only person in my neighborhood that has one. Mwwwhahaha!

Fire roll - ember from a depleted hand warmer

These chemical hand warmers are very common among outdoorsmen. They basically expose iron to air and moisture to create an exothermic reaction (heat). After all warming stops, they're meant to be disposable. In a bad situation, you can spread some of the pack's contents on a wad of cotton or natural fiber (yucca, hemp, jute...) roll into a "cigar" and, with speed and pressure, create an ember to set your camp fire.

Plant profile - Hickory nuts

If you can get past my comment about nutmeat being so wonderful, there is an interesting point made about the relative value of hunting versus gathering.

Plant profile - Persimmon Tree

Another tree to feed you. The fruit are an appalachian tradition. Yum!

Plant Profiles - Echinacea and Jewel Weed

Medicine is everywhere in nature. We've been taught that all cures come in bottles, but the earth provides healing. Most of what pharmacies sell is based on chemical properties of plants. Skip the middle man when you can (it's better for the environment and better for you).

Plant profile - Passion Flower

The maypops are beginning to ripen. When their skins are shriveled, it will be time to enjoy this excellent fall fruit. The flower that precedes it is exotically beautiful, as is its aroma. Tea from the leaves is medicinal as a muscle relaxant, sleep aid and treatment for anxiety.

Passion flower fruit

My son checking the ripeness of this year's maypop crop. Not ready yet. Most people are familiar with the beautiful flowers and perfume of the Passion Flower, but fewer know about the edible fruit the vines produce. It reminds me of a pomegranate.

One stick deadfall trigger

This is the simplest trap trigger I have worked with. It can be improvised to set almost any type of deadfall.

Snapping Turtle

Turtles were everywhere this summer. This guy wasn't huge (compare to my toe on the right), but he wasn't hard to catch either. I'm a sucker for turtles, so he survived the encounter. My grandfather raised four children on this, squirrels, fish and a well kept vegetable garden. You could too!

Muscadines!

Found these on a walkabout. Always carry a plastic bag in your pocket - you never know what nature may have on special.

River Cooter (I don't name things, blame science)

Another random turtle picture (we didn't eat this one either). It's amazing how much protein a person can find wandering around the lawn or along the road. Oftentimes, keen observation of your immediate area is better than a trap or tromping through the woods with weapons.

Big fish

                                                   I once caught a fish this big!

Edible landscaping - Rose of Sharon & Hosta

Ohmmmmm!

My impersonation of one of those statues you see in cool people's yards. Beautiful surroundings inspire enlightenment. The picture is meant as humor, but this spot delivers on the pose. We are small in the world, but vital for our ability to experience it. Eden is everywhere for open eyes.

Fresnel lens

Baby primitive

My 19 month old son learning the basics of the bow drill fire making method.

Jerusalem Artichokes

The Jerusalem Artichokes (a.k.a. Sunchokes) reach skyward. Related to sunflowers, mine get about ten feet tall. The underground tubers are edible year round, but sweetest in the cold months. The leaves are high protein forage for our goats.

Plant profile - Jerusalem artichoke

I grow over forty different edible perennial plants in my yard. This is an introduction to one - the Jerusalem artichoke.

Char cloth

Extra protein

                                                            Eating wood grubs

Fire starter

                                 Easiest friction fire technique - the Rudiger Roll.