Mors L. Kochanski - Northern Bushcraft.pdf

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The greatest influence on my career as a student, instruc-
tor and writer about wilderness living skills and survival,
has been without question, Tom Roycraft of Hinton, whose
many years of experience and incisive insights have lent
considerable force to my bush knowledge.
Another important person is Don Bright of Edson, with
whom I published the W!derriess Arts and Recreation
magazine. The magazine motivated me to produce a work-
ing volume of written material that forms the basis for this
and future books.
I am grateful to the publisher Grant Kennedy, who pro-
vided the encouragement that resulted in this book becom-
ing available now rather than ten years from now.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
9
CHAPTER 1 FIRECRAFT
11
Fire-Lighting
12
Ignition
13
Establishment
28
Applications
38
Maintenance and Moderation
43
Choosing a Safe Fire Site
45
Methods of Suspending Pots
50
Outdoors Cooking
59
CHAPTER 2 AXECRAFT
71
The Bush Axe
71
Tree Felling
90
CHAPTER 3 KNIFECRAFT
109
The Bush Knife
109
CHAPTER 4 SAWCRAFT
135
The Saw and Axe
135
CHAPTER 5 BINDCRAFT
145
Cordage Techniques
145
CHAPTER 6 SHELTERCRAFT
157
Shelter Concepts
157
CHAPTER 7 THE DIRCHES
191
The Paper Birch
191
The Alders
211
CHAPTER 8 THE CONIFERS
213
White Spruce
213
Black Spruce
216
Tamarack
224
Jack and Lodgepole Pine
225
Balsam and Subalpine Fir
229
CHAPTER 9 THE WILLOWS
231
The Poplars
231
Quaking Aspen
232
Black Poplar
236
The Willows
239
CHAPTER 10 THE SHRUBS
243
Silver Willow
243
The Saskatoon
245
Red Osier Dogwood
245
The Ribbed Basket Forms
247
CHAPTER 11 THE MOOSE
251
The Majestic Beast
251
CHAPTER 12 THE VARYING HARE
269
The Key Provider
269
AUTHOR
282
INDEX
284
INTRODUCTION
There is no reason why a person cannot live comfortably
in the Northern Forests with a few simple, well-chosen
possessions such as a pot and an axe. It is also conceivable
that with the right knowledge you may live well enough
without a pot or axe. The reader may never have to do
without these two precious items, tan a moose hide, or build
a subterranean winter shelter, but intelligent advice derived
from a reliable source may furnish the knowledge that
allows you to do a passable job on the first attempt, should
the need arise.
Fire is the most useful and important skill in basic bush
living, particularly in the cold. It warms and dries, makes
water and food safe and transforms any place in the forest
into a home. Fire is a passable companion when you are
alone, is never boring to watch, and has held our fascina-
tion from time immemorial. Possessing the means and the
knowledge to light fire at any moment is a prerequisite for
living and surviving in the bush. If you are fire's master it
is the genie that does your bidding, but if a lack of knowledge
limits your ability to master it, fire will be a trying servant
that may jeopardize your safety.
A pot is an important possession for heating water, cook-
ing, melting snow, putting out campfircs, excavating earth
and for collecting berries and other edibles. Drinking ade-
quate amounts of safe water is necessary for maintaining
health and reducing fatigue. Giardiasis is apt to be found
in the remotest corners of the Northern Forests, a parasite
that is easily killed by boiling. Boiling is the most effective
and convenient method of cooking in the bush. You may get
by without a pot. but it will be sorely missed.
Of the tools useful in bush living, the axe is foremost
becausc of its versatility and durability in cutting firewood,
fashioning shelters and other articles useful in daily
existence. The knife is the smallest cut t ing tool that one may
carry; small, light and unobtrusive, it is readily available for
hundreds of tasks in bush living. Like fire, these tools are
a great asset if used safely and knowledgeably, but impose
penalties on the ignorant and careless. Using an axe to fall
a tree is one of the more hazardous wilderness activities. The
saw is the complementary opposite of the axe. It is safer,
faster and quieter for such applications as cutting firewood.
Cordage and binding holds most things together in basic
9

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