4 Day 4 Night Primitive Survival Challenge. Debris Shelter. Raised Bed. Venison Jerky. Foraging.

In this video, I am in Wiltshire with Wilderness Survival Skills, taking part in the Hunter Gatherer Challenge, a four day, four night solo primitive survival challenge using very limited kit. Armed with just a belt knife, a folding saw, a billy can, 3 metres of paracord and a few essential emergency items, I head off into the forest to build a shelter and bed, make fire by friction, forage for food, make a primitive hunting bow (including a knapped flint arrow head) and live as comfortably as I can using the natural materials found around me.
This is part one of the challenge, covering the first two days. Part two will continue shortly.
The kit and clothing taken on the challenge will be covered in an upcoming video.
I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!
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Wilderness survival Skills (Joe O’Leary)
wilderness-survival.co.uk/home
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[@jamesfleming555]

Simon, thank for truthfully showing that starting fire with a bow drill takes time and effort! Too many others show a perfect 8-10 strokes of the bow and VOILA FIRE! BS. So I appreciate how you showed multiple attempts. And that your first lean-to was not perfect, just workable. Adding the various berries and herbs to the pot is also good. The liquid has most of the nutrients. Good vid, thanks.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Cheers James! Yeah, always a workout!! 😂

[@bryanpittman2545]

No if he had made a dry area where even his mess ups fell in dry(as dry as he could) wood. He would have done far better. You can watch literally 3 cuts of him bowing right in a patch of wet grass. The 2 more literally on top of a patch. It takes time and he did well, but definitely has improvement in developing a fire environment.

[@myvoiceyourstory9338]

The man’s exhausted and he still managed to get so many good shots ! That’s dedication

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Absolutely your best ever video. Thank you for an absolutely honest look at true bushcraft, warts and all. Better than anything I've seen on TV.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you Anthony!! 😁

[@blindhowlingdrunk]

Honestly these guys are absolute legends, they are single handedly creating really excellent and fascinating content. I literally can’t watch the crap that is served up on telly these days.

[@hippyswift]

Watching a bloke in the woods whilst camping in the woods 😎 great job Simon keep it up.

[@jorns6678]

I also like to take bushcraft video's with me to watch near the campfire :)

[@LeighRobinsonBushcraft]

The Bow Drill is a very different beast when you're tired, hungry and thirsty. Add the pressure of knowing that you absolutely must make fire and it can become a difficult challenge quickly. It only takes a couple of problems and you can feel your energy dwindling to nothing. Knowing that your chances are becoming smaller and smaller. Well done on getting it! Not many people are prepared to test their skills to this level. :) Great episode too!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you Leigh!! Your book helped hugely - getting an ember is hard enough, I was really worried about my tinder too - everything was so damp - all that effort can easily be wasted when a damp tinder bundle sucks the heat out of your ember. Phew!!!! 😁👍🔥

[@100jen100]

@@simonablokeinthewoods @ 14.50 above your head in the tree it looks like the spirit of a deer departing, slow the playback down and have a look :-) great vid

[@StewartJordan]

Actually applauded when you got the fire lit. Refreshing for someone to show how hard it can be, I hate the bowdrill, that's why I take multiple lighters and ferro rods whenever I can, but appreciate that it was part of your challenge. Well done.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Not my preferred method either - for the same reason!! 😂

[@Wanna.Wander]

Stewart Jordan I never leave “home sweet van” without a lighter... but that can fail as well, so I’m always prepared💜 happy trails

[@UrbanGrrl69]

I admire your courage Simon taking on this challenge. Excellent stuff getting the fire, shelter and jerky. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@miketaylor6700]

What a fantastic challenge! I’m going to see if there is anything around here (Virginia USA) like that! If not, perhaps I’ll get some friends together and just try it ourselves.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Simon . 🐺 Lopis Canis .

[@affalaffaa]

Note to self, if I ever try this. Wear a large tarp as a jacket and a sleeping bag as trousers. Haven't seen a decent bit of bushcraft in a while. I like this time of year, makes me want to get out around a fire again. Thanks for the upload.

[@clifficus]

That’s why they’re called ‘Widow makers’ 😃

[@schonbeardwildmark]

What an amazing challenge Simon! Tough four days and new wisdom. Reminds me of my military service with three days without food. What a mental test. Glad you made it and that the branch didn’t hit you mate. You capture the feeling, thanks 🙏🏻

[@jaywhite2759]

What a fantastic insight, I remember talking to Sam before he did this course a few years ago and then getting the lowdown after he had completed it. Really good to see you doing it and filming for our pleasure. Many thanks Jay

[@KentSurvival]

That was brilliant Simon, you did such a great job, not only on the challenge but the unseen challenge of filming it all whilst that busy! well done mate. Looking forward to the rest, I like processed acorns, great coffee, though I can never get enough tannin out to stop it making me fart haha

[@Draculhuhn]

Lols!!!! Andy....😂😂😂😂😂

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hahaha! It must be a diuretic too, because I was up four times in the night to pee after eating them! Thanks mate!!

[@rodbennettakakampzite5448]

What an adventure! Thank you so much for sharing. Looking forward to the next one. ATB

[@menkfranceart]

Inspirational. Contemplative. Thank you, Simon.

[@lalaalalala]

i keep coming back to this series. it’s so good. you should do more survival stuff!

[@lalaalalala]

or even just foraging stuff. love it

[@markcummings6856]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@carolenorton3104]

Hi Simon. I watch all your videos but this was one of your best, which I really enjoyed, thank you for filming the challenge.

[@benny_mc]

What an experience! Thanks for taking us with you! Looking forward to watching part 2.....now :-)

[@waltershumate5777]

Props to you for accepting Joe's sitjation as it is. Many times Survival means adaptation before preference!

[@countesscable]

Utterly riveting. Best thing I’ve watched.

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Great video thanks for sharing! 👍

[@lincspreparednessandoutdoo2648]

That was bloody brilliant, your tenacity paid off, bravo!!!

[@martynjones3053]

One word Simon: SUPERB !

[@WiltshireMan]

Very enjoyable video Simon. Thankyou.

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherSH]

Nothing like a good cuppa tea!

[@tanjaontour2932]

Great video! Unbelievable how hard life must have been for our ancestors. And for you...

[@efficaciousgentleman3148]

Love it! Thanks for sharing

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

A Real Shock to the system and quite a testing 4 days. What a challenge ! Excellent A Real Shock to the system. Great Report, Thank You.

[@greenfingers9471]

"collect rain water ?" great vid....

[@dazk6592]

Excellent video Simon. Thank you. 👍👍👍

[@fellmonkey]

Thankyou for sharing, look forward to part 2!

[@barrybeames5535]

Brilliant vid, great bloke,thanks

[@fredfishface]

Good job. You're on my team if the zombies take over.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hey Rolf, old buddy!! Zombie apocalypse vs. Team Blacks!! 😁

[@davidstorton910]

I thought the Zombies already had taken over

[@theskyisblue8979]

@@davidstorton910 We have...

[@Gordie79hamilton]

Fantastic! Can't wait for the next installment. 🤘

[@finnh-s8965]

Great vid thanks

[@JRPOutdoors]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Simon! Looking forward to part 2 👌🏼

[@knucker4931]

Excellent as always, showing it like it is. Here's to Pt2. Al

[@paul2466]

Excellent video and great job Simon, I believe the only person happier to see that ember emerge,than Simon, was I, thank you

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😅💨🔥👍

[@lukedrive2869]

Excellent!

[@robertlee8400]

By far one one my favorite bush crafters from across the pond . Stay safe Simon & lots of love from your cousins over in the United States 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Robert! 👍

[@martystacey4429]

You are quietly determined and suffering for us! Love it....

[@mariaotero5601]

Thank you kindly 😊!

[@nightwalker5278]

Amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this. ATB

[@neillairdofglencairn7216]

Proper wild camping..can't wait to see the rest of it.

[@WoodyAndy]

Great film Simon, can't wait for the next part. For me, this is the essence of bushcraft.

[@josephascroft4774]

Simon I love your positivity eg when you said it your shelter was leaking and your jerky was getting wet and your camera was getting wet, BUT! the venison was great and you’d had a good drink, and then that you slept reasonably well, it’s really positive and encouraging

[@BobbityBob19]

I like. Thank you.

[@jayinthesticks4652]

I still have not mastered friction fire. I should lay down the flint and steel and practice friction more. Getting rained on makes things tougher but you seemed up for the challenge! Good show!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Good to practice - you never know when you might need it!! (I’ll always chose my ferro rod though!! 😂)

[@richardhunt920]

Well dun . Thanks Love the vid.

[@jaybyrdsshenanigans]

Great video as always Simon thanks!!👍👍👍👍

[@mariaotero5601]

Wonderful blessing 🙏 and a great job done!

[@geographyinaction7814]

Great job on the fire Simon; bloody tough going, and obviously very, very satisfying.

[@kocyszemaitis2310]

this dude is great. he shows how tough it is,

[@biblebeliever4570]

Thank you so much Simon this was very cool. You're a survivalist no doubt. So this was what you were up to. I always look forward to a new video. Well done. Interesting fruit leather. Looks like part two is very interesting, and am anxious now ready to watch it.

[@joelydiabuhia]

Badass!

[@mikebazelbrush898]

Excellent

[@SarahTree]

Wow! What a doozie of a video! I am so hoping that you got something with that arrow. This kind of stuff is proof positive that we would not have survived as a species if we were vegetarians. Thank you so much for sharing this 😊

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I think you are right, without meat in our diet, we’d have starved during the winter months, when plant based food, nuts and berries were scarce. 👍🥩

[@nathanwestwick815]

Cracking stuff can’t wait for part two!

[@darkwoodsthriven7810]

Awesome job on the fire Mate ! That took integrity ... True Bushman style brother.

[@Forestowo]

Incredible. A great episode and certainly an even better experience for you!

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Looks like an awesome adventure

[@stevend9124]

Nice piece of back strap looks tasty

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

It was really good!! 😋

[@GAR85120514]

Well this is getting interesting. Nice.

[@annenewton5403]

I’m watching again, we love it.

[@unclepoutdoors2420]

Can't wait for part 2

[@bigfatpear]

what a bloody great video. food for thought.

[@steveb1972]

Glad you’re ok after that tree fall Simon! Heart calmed down I hope! You’re doing so well with the foraging - I hope Andy felt suitably guilty cooking and eating that camp pizza!

[@rodbennettakakampzite5448]

😂😂😂

[@steveb1972]

Rod Bennett 🤣

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Haha, I’d have done some serious damage to that pizza!! 😋

[@steveb1972]

Simon, a bloke in the woods 😂👍🏻

[@papajeff5486]

Tough test. You’re doing okay, better than most. The rain of the UK is much like the rain of East Tennessee. It makes shelter a challenge. The hazel is nice though. You were fortunate to get some venison. Too bad about the water. Nice to see you out again. Thanks for sharing and working hard to video. We all know the videography makes the test just a lot tougher. Interested in Part II. TEXAS

[@sosteve9113]

Great video,this is how you learn the most out of it. You can read as much you want,but the experience is more valuable Atb Steve

[@appalachianbushcraft6335]

Very well done sir. I’m impressed as I always seem to be with your tenacity and work ethic. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@anthonyrushton3495]

Great video look forward to the next

[@counterdebate]

Thanks for another great video Simon 😎

[@richfrid]

Excellent..........

[@ausoutback1162]

wow simon thankyou awesome love from aus

[@TOM_OUTDOORS]

Can't wait for part 2, this is awesome! Incredible stuff mate, I cheered when the fire lit! This video has got me through a very cold night in a tent on the Kent coastline lol I thought I had it rough and then this video put it in perspective! Lol. Cheers pal.

[@hobb4454]

Wowee now this is real survival

[@bamaman39]

Well done Simon never give up never give in awesome! 👏🏾💪🏾👍🏾🤘🏾

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Brian! 👍

[@tyrion3575]

great vid simon.. cheers.

[@finnbriody5387]

Fantastic stuff Simon and thanks for showing us as well, can't wait for p2 Hope you got the tea bags Many thanks Patrick

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hi Patrick! Thanks mate. Yes, they arrived all safe and sound - haven’t opened the crisps yet, but the tea is spot on!! Thanks you!!

[@darthchua]

Fantastic job, Simon! That tree was a close shave...

[@mariaotero5601]

Outstanding servival challenge kudo's!

[@ezracarson5427]

Thank you for showing us that it is ok to struggle with the bow drill and the reward of perseverance.

[@jellybean3731]

Classic. The bestest bush craft/survival video I've seen by far. Many thanks Simon for taking us along with you... can't wait for part two.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you!! 😁👍

[@jamesellsworth9673]

Once again, you disproved the old adage: "where there's smoke, there's fire!" I cannot see Andy taking on this type of challenge; the food is substandard. It takes an unbelievable amount of energy and determination to forage and process just a bit of food. 'Aspiring Caveman' on KZbin gave me an interesting idea in his video about building a long-term shelter: his chimney would have made a tube shelter very quickly in a hazel copse. He made a rake that easily produced a lot of duff for roofing and insulating. Much of the FUN in watching how Blokes like You meet these challenges in thinking about what we have found and how OUR conjectures might apply. At the end of this challenge, YOUR insights about the process would be fascinating.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks James, I’ll have to check out ‘Aspiring Caveman’. It was all a lot of effort, but hugely rewarding. 👍

[@tjdillon9827]

Good to see ya sir

[@rodinsthinker6822]

Grettings form Sydney Australia ....... best 'outdoor' video I have seen on Utube ....... thank you for your authenticity !!!!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! 👍

[@SwampValley]

A wise bowdrill master once told me to cut a channel under your half board to allow air in, makes a big difference... For next time 👍

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Great tip mate, makes huge sense - I’ll try that next time! 👍👍👍🔥

[@kccox3446]

👋👋👋Simon wow !!! can't wait for part two

[@keirfrei1504]

Love it Mate, Cheers for showing the firelighting process in full, it's good to see that we are all still learning!

[@onanysundrymule3144]

Wow, this is hardcore. Tremendous stuff Sir. Kind regards.

[@pbrb123]

Thanks for the complete bow drill sequence - showing how hard it can be is the real deal and honest to boot! I can't say how many times I've failed to make a friction fire.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

It’s not my favourite method that’s for sure!! 😂 good to practice it now and again though.......,I suppose! 🔥

[@jonfox1919]

Always great content, looking forward to part two.

[@carolinesmyth127]

Proper reality show. Great vid! Got part 2 lined up 👍

[@vann8414]

You did a real fine job of protecting you kit at the first shelter.

[@philipwallis5587]

Wow..great insight into true survival techniques with minimal kit available and against time and the elements ,having to start a fire with the bow drill.!! The pressure..😬 leaky lean too..and foraging for berries and roots...you were awesome !!! Well done Simon.. can't wait for the 2nd part 👍👍😀

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Phil! It was tough, but hugely rewarding. 👍😁💦🔥

[@rinzler1392]

I bet that was squeaky bum time when that branch fell down

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

You’re not wrong there!!! 😂

[@NorthwalesBushcrafters]

Well done Simon great use of resources within the time you had I’m sure the longer you would of spent there slowly the more comfortable you would of become, great vid matey 👍👍🙏

[@johnc6738]

Very nice. Finally someone shows the hard work to find enough food in the bush to survive. Not being careful or knowing what your doing will have you using much more than you take in. You actually showed the big part of the day is spent foraging. Didn't see it but putting you pot out in the rain to catch water? Great video.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks John! It was non-stop work to keep fed and comfortable! I did collect rainwater, I dug a shallow pit and collected water in that. 👍💦