This is our 29th issue of Backwoods Survival Guide. We may be a little biased, but this might be our best issue yet. Here's a peek at what you'll find between the covers this time around. Well-known survival instructor Craig Caudill shows us how to build a workshop in the forest. He also has a great article on foraging for food provided by trees. Readers will learn how to make their own bow and arrows from Christopher Nyerges and building a garden in a small space will be made easier with tips from KH Koehler. We also have stories on DIY household cleansers, making bone broth from scratch, storing fuel safely, choosing the ideal homestead location, and so much more. No fluff, just practical, actionable information our readers can put to use.
Letter From the Editor
OUTDOORS • HEAD OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN EXPLORING ALL THAT MOTHER NATURE HAS TO OFFER.
FINDING YOUR WAY Let Mother Nature guide you • SURVIVAL GEAR IS AVAILABLE JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE THESE DAYS, APPLICABLE FOR NEARLY EVERY EMERGENCY OR CRISIS THAT MAY ERUPT AROUND YOU. HOWEVER, THINGS DON'T ALWAYS GO AS PLANNED. THIS CAN BE ESPECIALLY DETRIMENTAL IF YOU FIND YOURSELF LOST IN THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS OUTDOORS.
MAKING NOISE
FOOD FROM THE FOREST Finding sustenance wherever you go • OFTEN OVERLOOKED IN THE REALM OF FORAGING, TREES ARE VERITABLE TREASURE TROVES OF NUTRITION, FLAVOR AND MEDICINE. MOVING BEYOND THE FAMILIAR FRUITS OF APPLE AND CHERRY TREES, A SURPRISING VARIETY OF TREES OFFER EDIBLE PARTS. THE BUDS, BARK, NUTS, ROOTS AND LEAVES OF VARIOUS SPECIES CAN BE USED.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
VAMPIRES OF THE WILD Identify, remove and prevent these diminutive monsters • TICKS ARE MINUSCULE, EIGHT-LEGGED ARACHNIDS THAT ATTACH THEMSELVES TO THE SKIN OF HUMANS AND ANIMALS TO FEED ON THEIR BLOOD. THEY ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN GRASSY, WOODED AREAS AND FIELDS WHERE THEY CAN EASILY LATCH ON TO A PASSING HOST. TICKS ARE KNOWN TO TRANSMIT SEVERAL DISEASES, INCLUDING LYME DISEASE.
TICK KEY
MAKING THE CUT Processing firewood with your blade • ANYONE WHO SPENDS A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE FIELDS AND FORESTS SHOULD HAVE A BASIC LEVEL OF COMPETENCY IN A NUMBER OF SKILLS. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD AN EXPEDIENT SHELTER FROM NATURAL MATERIALS. THEY SHOULD KNOW HOW TO USE BASIC NAVIGATION TOOLS TO FIND THEIR WAY.
HOW OLD IS OLD ENOUGH?
HOMESTEADING • SELF-RELIANCE CAN BE A LOT OF WORK, BUT THE REWARDS MAKE IT WORTH ALL OF THE EFFORT.
TURN DREAMS INTO REALITY How to select the perfect location • FINDING YOUR HOMESTEAD CAN BE AN EXCITING YET DAUNTING PROCESS. YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO YOUR VISION OF OWNING A HOMESTEAD THAT YOU CAN PRACTICALLY TASTE THE VEGGIES YOU'LL BE GROWING. BUT SEVERAL CONSIDERATIONS GO INTO MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE.
CREATIVE BUDGET OPTIONS
FUEL STORAGE Best practices for protection and security • EVERY HOMESTEAD NEEDS A RELIABLE AND SUFFICIENT FUEL SUPPLY FOR POWERING ESSENTIAL DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT. FROM FACILITATING TRANSPORTATION TO ENABLING HEATING, COOLING, COOKING AND WATER PUMPING SYSTEMS, FUEL PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING A HOMESTEAD.
IN CASE OF SPILLS
GROWING IN SMALL SPACES Limited environments, big rewards • GARDENING HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR AMONG PEOPLE WITH LIMITED SPACE. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO GROW YOUR OWN PRODUCE AND CUT DOWN YOUR GROCERY BILLS, BUT YOU SHOULDN'T FEEL DETERRED IF YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT OR AN URBAN AREA AND HAVE LIMITED SPACE.
THE HARDY ZONE
LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE Preparing for the autumn harvest • FALL IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR THAT I CONCENTRATE ON FILLING MY FREEZER AND STOCKING MY SHELVES IN PREPARATION FOR THE LONG, COLD WINTER THAT IS SURE TO COME, AND I DO SO FROM ALL SOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ME.
FRUITS OF MY LABOR • Here is a great way to use all of those autumn apples. This recipe...
