As you are probably aware, many people are quietly making plans to leave city life behind and return to a more simple way of life in the wilderness.
Others are doing all they can to prepare for the eventuality that something may go terribly wrong with modern society that will force us to return to the wilderness for reasons of personal safety.
Whatever the reasons are that have you packing up and leaving the comforts of home behind, there are several things you will need to know in order to survive and thrive out in the wild.
1. Have Appropriate Tools
Old standbys such as your cell phone, laptop and GPS are likely no longer going to be any help to you if you are living in the wild. Instead, carry a nice toolbox of items that include an axe or hatchet, pocket knife, compass, hammer and pliers.
2. Follow the Water
Whatever else happens, you must have a clean source of drinking water. Scope out a good spot before you need it. Watch the animals carefully. If an animal drinks from the water, then it is usually a sign it is also safe for you to drink from. You can use these water purification tips from this article, How To Purify Water – Survival Water Purification.
3. Smart Foraging
Keep a good manual on what mushrooms and other plants are safe to eat.
We recommend The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants. (You can click the book to get a copy)
4. Learn to Build
Have a few good tents and patches ready to go, but you should also learn how to build a shelter out of whatever is handy.
You can read this article for more info: How to Make a Shelter in the Woods
5. Hunting Skills
Don’t go into the woods and start shooting wildly. Hit the gun range and learn to shoot properly so you can catch your meal, kill it humanely and not waste your bullets.
6. Avoid Injuries
You need to be on your guard, and do your best to avoid being injured in any way. When there are no doctors nearby, you need to be able to fend for yourself. Be sure to pack a good first aid kit for everyone in your family, carry a first aid manual and learn as many home remedies as you can.
7. Don’t Panic
Sit down and make your plans before anything goes wrong. If you have a well thought out plan to follow in an emergency, then you are far less likely to panic and mess it all up.
8. Pack to Camp
Bring everything you may need for an extended camping trip. Include good sleeping bags, flashlights, matches, mess kit and extra clothing and shoes. You can learn more about what to include in the article What’s In a Bug Out Bag?
9. Fish for Dinner
Be ready to catch your dinner with fishing poles you bring or make. You can dig up worms or catch insects for bait.
Here’s an article on what to include in your fishing box: 10 Things Every Mans Fishing Tackle Box Needs
10. Make Fire
Your matches will eventually run out. Go online and learn to make fire the natural way using a flint and steel kit or even rubbing two sticks together. Read this article, 6 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches.
11. Learn to Process Meat
When you are depending on killing animals for food, it’s important you know how to properly butcher the animal to ensure maximum utilization.
12. Be Frugal
Always be aware of your food and water supply, and share it out sensibly to provide everyone with adequate nutrition for as long as possible.
13. Protection From Animals
You have just entered a world that belongs to wild animals. Keep your food protected and stored away from your camp, and do not eat in your sleeping bag. Food can attract wild animals and may result in a fatality.
14. Boy Scout Handbook and Field Book
These are full of advice that has been thoroughly tested by boy scouts for over 100 years. You can get the Boy Scout Handbook on Amazon by clicking here.
15. Bring Can Openers
Most people remember to stockpile canned goods, but often forget the can opener. Bring several in case one breaks. Here’s what you can do if you forgot your can opener. Three Ways to Open a Can Without a Can Opener
16. Keep Animals
Consider having a dog for hunting and companionship. Keep chickens for fresh eggs and food and perhaps a couple of goats for fresh milk.
17. Survivalist Class
Look online for one of these classes. It can go a long way towards teaching you the things you need to know to survive.
These tips should help you be able to survive if you find yourself out in the wild. It would be a very good idea to take some long camping trips in order to test out what you have learned and be assured you are ready to handle everything if the time comes when there is no longer a home in the city in which to return.
