Woods Lore.

Woods lore.

• Never step over a log or fallen tree if you can’t see what is on the other side!


• Always check above for widow makers and dead branches before setting up camp.


• Set up your shelter first before collecting fire wood and making fire.


• Stack your fire wood close to the shelter so you do not have to leave the shelter to stoke the fire.


• Always store dry kindling in back of your shelter in case the fire should go out in the night.


• Always carry spare tinder in your pack.


• Take your powder horn off and place it in the back of your shelter or under your blanket before making fire!


• Always try and set up camp in daylight, and check the camp site for ant and spider nests.


• Layer your clothing on a trek so you can remove or add to suit the temperature. Don’t push too hard and perspire, if your clothes do get wet in winter, take them off in front of the fire and dry them out before bedding down, or you will get cold in the night.


• Always carry a little dry kindling and a candle in your fireworks bag.


• When your gunpowder wallet is empty, it is a good place to store spare tinder.


• When looking for dry kindling in wet weather, look under rocks and fallen trees, look in hollow trees, cut wood from dead trees; under the surface it will be dry.


• Prepare several sizes of kindling before making fire.


• Make your bed up off the ground winter and summer.


• To keep a straight line in the woods, always line up several trees in the direction you are travelling. When you get to the last but one, put your back against the tree and line up several more trees.


• Always carry a canvas or oil cloth on a trek.


• Always carry a tomahawk/hatchet and a knife.


• Trees will usually fall down hill, but not always!


• The bark will come off a living tree easier in the summer than in the winter.


• Any large animal is dangerous if wounded.


• Snakes are slow to move in spring, take care where you tread.


• If you have to cross a creek or river, always check the depth with a stick before stepping into the water; and check in front of you as you go.


• When drying your moccasins in front of the fire, do it slowly! Do not overheat the leather.


• Three shots in succession and repeated are a distress signal.


• Always plug the vent hole before making fire with the lock of your gun.


• Always make sure your gun can’t fall when not in your hands!


• If you should lose the trail when tracking wounded game, mark the last sign with your handkerchief or neckerchief or patch cloth and move in ever increasing circles around your marker until you pick up the sign again. Always take care the game is not waiting in ambush!


• Be sure to clearly sight your game before you shoot.


• Be sure of the area beyond your target.


• A ball or bullet can ricochet off water.


• Always keep your blades sharp, a blunt blade is dangerous.


• When using an axe or hatchet/tomahawk, make sure you are clear should the tool glance off the wood.


• Always carry a bandage for injury or snake bite.


• Some people have survived 3 weeks without food, but depending on exertion and weather conditions you will need water within 3 days. Always carry water with you.


• On long treks, carry a ball mould and a lead ladle. You can remould the spent lead you retrieve from game.


• Do not use dried grass or bark as wadding if there is a danger of starting a fire!


• Use rocks or green wood at the back of your fire to reflect heat into your shelter during winter, but NEVER use river rock or rocks from a creek or stream for in or around your fire. They hold water and can explode with the heat.


• Char your tinder in the fire and extinguish it by placing it in your tinderbox and closing the lid.


• Keep some uncharred tinder in your tinderbox.


• Carry your fireworks in a greased leather fire bag to keep them dry.


• Always wrap the head of your hatchet or use a sheath when carrying.


• A button closure on the flap of your shot pouch will keep all inside safe if you should take a fall.


• Wear your powder horn toward your back when hunting.


• Use a hammer cap on your flintlock for added safety.

• Seal inside your lock mortise and barrel channel with beeswax.

• A smokeless fire is made with small dry kindling.

. Carry more than one knife.