Survival In The Forest

Can you find direction without GPS or even a compass? In this YouTube Short, I demonstrate one of the oldest and most reliable navigation techniques—the single shadow method. Using nothing more than the sun, a stick, and a little patience, you can establish an East-West line and orient yourself almost anywhere. This is a foundational

There’s nothing better than fresh catfish fillets and homemade hushpuppies cooked outdoors after a successful day on the water. In this Catch & Cook episode, I head to the lake, catch quality channel catfish, clean them, and prepare a traditional southern-style meal using simple ingredients and a classic camp stove. Whether you’re into bushcraft, camping,

Learning knots can be frustrating—unless you understand the transition between each step. In this instructional video, I teach 10 essential camp knots using the Transition Teaching Method, a proven way to simplify complex knot tying by focusing on how one movement naturally leads to the next. Instead of memorizing finished knots, you’ll understand why each

What is the best knife for bushcraft, camping, or survival? It’s one of the most common questions I get from new outdoorsmen, and the answer isn’t as simple as buying the most expensive knife on the market. In this video, I’ll explain the differences between fixed blade and folding knives, how blade length affects performance,

batoning wood with a knife a good idea? In this video I explain why, when, and how to baton wood safely and effectively, along with the situations where you should avoid it. As a survival instructor, I’ve seen countless misconceptions about knife batoning. We’ll discuss proper knife selection, choosing the right wood, understanding grain direction,

If you’re new to bushcraft, survival, or camping, you’ve probably wondered, “What gear do I really need?” In this video, I answer one of the most common questions I receive from beginners and explain the difference between wants, needs, and skills. We’ll discuss: * The essential gear every beginner should own * The difference between

Here’s a great Base Camp or Car Camping Hack most don’t know. The Sawyer mini will fit a standard Jerry Can for Gravity Filtration

Many people use the terms Bushcraft, Survival, and Camping interchangeably—but they’re not the same thing. In this video, I break down the real differences between these three outdoor disciplines and explain why they overlap. Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience outdoors, understanding the purpose and mindset behind each one will help

There are three things that never disappoint after a successful day on the water: Crappie, Cornbread, and Coffee. In this video I head out to catch fresh crappie, then cook up one of my favorite traditional camp meals. Fresh fried crappie, homemade cornbread baked in camp, and a hot cup of coffee—simple ingredients that have

Sometimes the old ways are still the best ways. In this video I head to the water with one of America’s most iconic fishing reels—the classic Zebco 202—to share practical panfishing tips that still work today. Whether you’re introducing your kids to fishing, reliving childhood memories, or simply enjoying a relaxing day on the water,

Can you make a bird’s nest from green wood? In this video I demonstrate practical techniques for creating effective tinder bundles, processing green materials, and producing reliable bow drill fires even when conditions aren’t ideal. We’ll cover the differences between dry and green materials, how to prepare a proper bird’s nest, common mistakes that prevent

Deeper Sonar Initial Review and Testing | First Look from a Canoe Can a small sonar really improve your fishing from a canoe? In this video, I take the Deeper Sonar out for its first real-world test from my canoe. We’ll cover setup, ease of use, smartphone connectivity, sonar returns, bottom contour, vegetation, water depth,

What if your bucksaw could do much more than cut wood? In this video I introduce the New Basic Bucksaw Kit, a lightweight DIY system that becomes one of the most useful bushcraft tools you can carry. Beyond being a rugged take-down bucksaw, the frame doubles as a collection of precision layout and navigation tools

Here is another quick and easy way to tension any bundle with a single loop of line

Selfrelianceoutfitters.com In this video I take a close look at our NEW M81 Oil Cloth products, proudly Made in the USA. We cover practical tarp configurations, cordage selection, shelter setup techniques, and field-tested bushcraft tips that improve comfort, durability, and efficiency in the woods. Oil cloth has a long history in camping and bushcraft, offering

In this Full Master Class, I break down everything you need to know about building the perfect bucksaw directly from materials found on the landscape. This isn’t just another saw-building video—we dive deep into the geometry of the frame, proper material selection, blade choice, tensioning systems, and the physics that make a bucksaw cut efficiently

Need a better way to process firewood around camp? In this video I show you how to build a fast and easy saw buck in about 5 minutes using materials found on-site. This simple bushcraft project makes cutting firewood safer, faster, and more efficient whether you’re camping, homesteading, hunting, or setting up a long-term bushcraft

There’s nothing better than spending Father’s Day on the water with family. 🎣 In this YouTube Short, we celebrate the simple things that matter most—time together, fishing, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s your son, grandson, daughter, or dad, these are the moments that make fishing special.