Building a shelter in the woods can be as simple or complex as you want. Some of the things that you need to think about are whether or not you will be there for a while, if it is going to rain and what type of wildlife is nearby.

Some of the common knowledge that you will need is how to make homemade cordage and how to provide ventilation in various shelter types.

Making Cordage

While a BOB will have twine and some other utensils that can be used for a shelter, you really do not want to have to use that stuff unless it is absolutely necessary. Making your own cords to hold your shelter together is a pretty easy process, so you might want to practice this technique. One thing to remember is that the more materials you use, the thicker the twine will be.

Grass, vines and the inner bark of shrubs and willows make great cord materials. Take two pieces and spin them together until you see a noticeable kink. Pull each side, but be careful not to break the pieces. Take each side between your thumb and index finger and individually spin them clockwise.

Now, you need to wrap them around each other counter clockwise. The reason that the spin and wrap are in opposite directions is because the friction of them spinning “against the grain”, so to speak, will keep them from unraveling. Now, you need to tie a basic knot at each end, and viola, you have cordage!

How To Make Natural Cordage in Minutes

Making Shelter

Debris Shelter

If you are doing a simple wood debris shelter, you will not necessarily need cords. You can simply put something sturdy on the under-side, and then you can pack stuff like leaves and twigs on the top.

This shelter is not very good for rain, wind, hail, snow or any other harsher weather, but it works good in a pinch.

These basic debris shelters are a part of bushcraft you’ll want to master.

Advanced Shelters

A more advanced shelter will call for different size and strengths of branches and twigs, cord and some form of cover. These shelters take longer to build, but they are sturdier and will protect you against more elements.

First, you need to get stronger and bigger branches. These should be around the same size this way your shelter has a chance of standing for a longer period of time. Take the branches and create a basic outline of what you want.

For example, a tepee will need three poles leaning against each other while a hut will need a centered branch in the center and other various branches leaning against the center one from end to end. You will need your cord to tie and hold all of the branches together at each joining piece.

Next, you will need to add the smaller, less durable branches in between each of the bigger branches. This will provide strength and durability to your “establishment”.

For a tepee style shelter, you need to stand the smaller branches in the same direction as the original poles, and then you need to tie them in the same place. For a hut, or something similar, you should use the smaller branches as cross-beams. You will tie the cross-beams to the original side posts.

Last, you will need to find some cover for your shelter. Generally, leaves make great cover. For tepees, finding proper cover for insulation and weather protection will be more difficult, so make sure that you have plenty of branches beforehand.

For huts, you can use larger leaves or smaller leaves. For more protection, you should use cordage in layers with the leaves. This will ensure that the leaves do not go flying every time the wind blows.

Now, your homework is to go practice what you have learned. Simply reading something is not going to provide you with the tools you will need in a survival situation. Practice makes perfect, especially when your life is on the line.

You can start by practicing with random items around the house, but you will eventually want to go out and create one from the tools that will be available in a worst case scenario. By practicing, you will figure out what size you will need, the best and most efficient ways to hold your shelter together, and the types of cover, branches and twigs that will work best in your area.

Building A Primitive Bushcraft Shelter – Raised Bed Lean-to w/No Cordage