Blazing the Woodsmans Code

[@jmmcgeachy85]

This past weekend I was walking on a trail that was marked with true blaze marks, they were really old in the trees, i never would have know about them without this video. Thanks for all your informative videos.

[@The_Osprey]

I don't even think it's a disorder....just a different way of seeing the world. Many artistic/non-linear thinkers are left-handed and they've done a lot of good for humanity. I really appreciate you sharing the knowledge you've sought out. You are an excellent teacher.

[@TheGrayman1234]

We cut arrows into the tree instead of multiple blazes. > means turn right, etc. To get out of the woods, you simply went the oposite way of the arrows. I showed my son this several months ago. He navigated us back to the car himself. Just a different method. Love your vids Dave. Thank you for your efforts.

[@TexasScout]

Oh Lord, I can just see the "Green Meanies" screaming about this. YOU CUT A LIVE TREE! Heaven FORBID! This just flies in the face of "Leave No Trace" camping. It's so good to see someone keeping the old woodsman ways alive. Thanks for all you do. Tex

[@TIRESIDE]

Funny you posted this. I just got back from a hike where the trail got covered by snow so I had to guess where it was. I blazed trees with my knife and used them to get back to the trail when I was done hiking.

[@derrickquintal]

Thank you Mr. Canterbury for all the informative videos you make. I've learned a lot!

[@BruceNitroxpro]

I have a copy the 1948 edition of the Scout Field Book by James E. West and William Hillcourt in which they give on p. 97 Scout and Indian (sic) Trail Signs. These agree with your video. It also gives examples of the same signs using rocks and tall grass, bent and knotted to show the same thing. Bill Hillcourt was a personal friend of mine and my edition is a special book on my book shelf.

[@Roarmeister2]

Tilley Outback widebrim hat -- excellent choice, Dave. I've been a Tilley wearer for many years and use the T6 and LT3 styles, but I like the darker colour. It looks good on you.

[@futuresonex]

If you do that you're walking the same trail, but in different directions. The blazed tree than means 'turn left' when travelling in one direction means 'turn right' when travelling the other direction. That's why the directional blaze (say on the left or South) was put on that (left/South) side of the tree rather than just an arrow cut into the front of the tree, so that it could be seen from that direction (South) when walking the same route in reverse. That's how you find your way back home.

[@FacetsOfTruth]

I've used a method to find my way back out of hilly areas in the hills of Tenn (particularly on Clinch Mountain ranges). I'd remove bark from the opposite side of the tree so I could see them when trying to get back to where I started. Also, I would not use a chopping method (this can be heard by potential bad guys). I use a large knife instead, (kind of like you would use in a 'fleshing motion' and your skin was hanging on that tree you're trying to mark). It's silent, but still makes a mark.

[@joryd8262]

if you have that problem, the person blazing the trail is at error and not blazing well enough for you to distinguish. A slight wrong angle should not hinder the code, only a large angle would, and at that point you were lost.

[@bigvisk]

i recall reading that two blazes meant away from camp. i.e. 1 blaze towards camp and two blazes on same tree but opposite side would beam away from camp.

[@RealityStar9]

Im on family land most of the time these days so I needed to learn this to make my paths. I use orange flagging tape instead of my wetterlings but it accomplishes the same.

[@nickseay6534]

I didn't know that. That's cool! I use to do this backwards when I was a kid. I would scrape the bark off the back of the trees walking into the woods so I never got lost and could find my way back.

[@marcelloposcia4268]

Thanks from Italy Dave !

[@1775novten]

In the example he showed, he said this blaze would indicate that "you need to turn left right here". To me, meaning at the tree.

[@alaskankare]

I would think, they would use whatever was needed. if the trail appeared clear enough to follow, then you would place a mark when it became unclear. Just like the national trails today. They put a sign up marking direction when the trail becomes unclear as to which way to go.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

My Grandfather "Blazed" The Paths on his land. Wow. I never knew that until this video. I knew what they were and what they meant (as he taught us), but I didn't know this was done elsewhere. (smiling) Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@LarryGenePate]

Dave,,Saw you and Cody's stuff on Netflix,I must say my son & I are very impressed with you and Cody.What a great team,you do a great job on your vids here.Thanks for all I have learned from you,My best always!!Larry

[@stephensgate1]

Great question! I never even thought about that. I cant wait to hear Dave's answer to that.

[@alaskankare]

from what he was showing, it looked like the "turn" blaze was placed lower. DC, maybe you did have 2 blaze marks...when you marked the trail and then the direction on the side of the tree? So, I would think if the direction was lower than the main "trail" mark, then if you came to a mark and then there was another one higher, you would be looking at the "turn" blaze.

[@dahartman88]

Dave owns all those trees that are on his property and can do whatever he likes with them

[@1404sikk]

they use this system on the bruce trail in southwestern ontario except they paint them on the trees

[@MrElectricstorm]

This is really cool and I like it but I think some of the ppl I go camping with or do trails with would get mad if I axed up a tree rather than a orange or yellow plastic ribbon. But this is good to know. Also I would think their would be more info on different marks. Like a mark for water nearby or food source nearby.. Basic necessities and directions. Water could be horizontal below the directional blaze and a blaze to the left or right to indicate what direction the water is. I'll usually

[@eatmorenachos]

Dislexia can manifest itself in a number of ways. Some people see words backwards (sdrawkcab). For others the letters might be mixed up like scrabble pieces and harder to read.

[@mem7048]

Personally I have just used the single blaze mark, and then carve my initial over it. I leave one side of the initial longer to indicate line of travel, and blaze an ex if it is a dangerous area ahead.

[@socketman]

Quick question. Say you come up to a tree with two blazes. Depending on the angle of the tree, it could be a blaze on the front and a blaze on the right indicating a right turn, but if you hit the tree from a slightly different angle it could be a blaze on the front and a blaze on the left, indicating the opposite direction. How could they tell which blaze was the "front" blaze and which was the "side" blaze ? Maybe you mentioned it already and I missed it. Thanks for the video, good info

[@rogersimmons7987]

The Boy Scout Handbook goes into blazing in good detail incuding where there are no trees

[@circason1]

this is so awesome im looking forward to making my own set with hunting buddies thank you so much!

[@Kayakwinds]

Interesting video. A person might want to make up a special code for his own party. That would be easy to do, too. Also.......recall the hobo codes that used to be be employed by the "knights of the road!"

[@scottjones8100]

This was awesome; really fascinated me. Out of curiosity, would there be a blazing method and code for non-wooded areas? Say, a grassland, or a brushy area? Thanks!

[@shidoshirayne]

Dave, In a turn left/right situation, do they indicate turn before the tree, or after, as you can sometimes see the blazes from a fair distance? Also, how often would blazes be left? Once an hour? Every half hour? Every other tree, or did it vary from person to person, party to party, along with the density of vegetation and visibility?

[@CourageAndLuck]

This is pretty cool! Great info! Thanks Mr. Canterbury.

[@Tancrad]

love your endings.. no Dave, we appreciate you. i have learned tones from you.

[@vassal11]

DAVE, with just two blazes on the tree how did you know which was the "center " blaze and which the directional? Maybe thats why there is no "code" for two.

[@mysss29]

Very interesting. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I love these historical videos.

[@TheKodiak72]

If the blaze was to go left/right, how far past that tree do you turn ? Right at the tree? 10 yards away, 50, 100. I wonder if there were small blaze marks to indicate the distance past that tree to which you turned.

[@94madmike]

what if you approach the tree wrong and confuse the front blaze with a left or right? guess if you follow the previous blazes it'd have to work out....never know though!

[@lightthiscity11]

Dave, the beard is looking majestic.

[@Birchpointoutdoors]

hey dave have you read any of the Gary Paulsen books; hatchet, the river, brian's winter, and brian's return? i've really enjoyed them and it's a great series.

[@JonJon205]

That would be interesting to see those signs.

[@Ccarter17]

Great video thank you for the knowledge that you pass on

[@bsjett]

Quick questions about the "danger ahead" blaze. If the party is already at the danger, do they go back and mark the danger ahead? If they're not at the danger yet, how do they know to mark for danger? Does the pathfinder travel far ahead and back track, is the danger typically terrain based that can be scouted at a distance and deemed dangerous? Watched this an hour or so ago and was just thinking about it. Hope it's not a dumb question.

[@anre4499]

Good to know, Thanks Dave!

[@MrKnottin]

Just removing a little bark on a tree will not kill or harm it.Only if some one removes the bark all the way around the tree then it would kill it. Trail tape is trash in the woods brother.

[@markedeloy]

Never had any idea what blazing a trail meant. Great video

[@maximus78028]

Wow Dave look like a wild man in this video. Like he living off the land or something in a shed in the middle of no where.

[@Brakermaker21]

If your blaze is too big, can it hurt the tree?

[@Prepper7]

Thanks, I had never even heard of that book, and now it's on the way to my house.

[@FaceForwardd]

Dave as always, thanks for the tips

[@lingtjien]

a question: If you approach a blazed tree that says proceed forward but to the left, but you approach the same three from the left you would see proceed forward but to the right. So how you know which blaze is the "original one" that says proceed forward.

[@sticknstonesbrkbones]

Question. If you come upon a blazed tree that has two marks side by side, how do you know which one is telling you the direction to go? I mean, if the marks are at the same height and side by side how do you know that you didn't approach it from the wrong angle (lets say that the trail is unclear, not well used)? Lets say the number 8 is a blaze in this comment. If I write 88, which way am I telling you to go? Know what I mean. Should one blaze be placed higher than the other?

[@350ezrider]

As always great video brother,btw are you doing anymore waters edge vids or budget bushcraft

[@Lennart369777]

the top blaze indicates forward direction, thats how you know

[@ItsCyclo]

Another great Pathfinder vid!

[@DanglinDanger91]

There's nothing random here, it's old time woodland knowledge

[@PeaceMaker188]

Another good way for short term blazing is to brake a branch but not break it off.

[@killop141]

What if there's danger the 3blaze to the left or right but you have to turn left or right in to the danger zone?

[@quentinrox2663]

Good info Dave.

[@hebrews412alan]

How long does a blaze look fresh on a tree?

[@mtslyh]

Very cool video. Very informational as always.

[@Vx777infonet]

I heard the tree say ouch!

[@purebredirish]

Where did you get your hat Dave?

[@LifeinTwinFalls]

Thanks Dave, that's something I haven't seen yet. Been watching you for couple of years now. I think it's time you graduated to a microphone on your shirt. I don't hear very well and when you turn away from the camera, I can't understand you. No big, I turn up the volume, get closer and rewind. It's just a suggestion. Thanks again brother.

[@alaskankare]

how do you designate direction with tape?

[@BUCKrub91]

its weird how "blazing" means something totally different today.. haha cool video dave quite informative

[@neuroleptika]

it´s ok, the tree might die but then it becomes an important home to birds and surtain insects that need dead trees to survive.

[@halfazzhomesteader]

Dave how many paces would be between blazes?

[@UKfamilyprepper]

Hey Dave do you think, they didn't use 2 blazes, so it couldn't be accidentally confused with 1 blaze and a turn to the left / right ?

[@HansenSWE]

A freshwater-blaze would be very logical to me.

[@crypter27]

What did the native americans use to mark their territory?

[@weetoddtv]

this is not related but, Do you have a natural way to repel ticks?

[@Napalmstrikery]

Great video

[@tjenn71]

tree huggers are having a fit

[@stealthysteve1]

will that not harm the tree

[@Krakology]

9 tree huggers cried so far

[@1koolhick]

Very good video,thank you.

[@rhettburk4864]

Can you give me an ex. Of danger? I don't understand how they knew danger was ahead. Thank you for the info

[@TheGamingGeek2001]

Dude, this is totally random, but your beard is fucking awesome

[@PeaceMaker188]

I would have two blazes be water

[@apprenticekev894]

He meant one on top of the other.

[@cheesejanitor]

You should shoot a vid about cairns too! ;)

[@bushblade]

Interesting stuff, though I'm not sure I would advocate the damage to the trees these days.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

thanks for code sharing great vid as always

[@redrocco44]

My question also!!

[@TheNksoccer]

you killed the tree! lol its fine

[@EatCarbs]

Interesting video Dave Thanks I hope you didn't upset to many tree huggers >_o

[@MountainMistWanderer]

Oh great. Now there will be a bunch if wannabes out in the woods hacking up trees.

[@MidwestPrepper]

this comment was hilarious

[@MrElectricstorm]

I just wrote a whole thing on this topic an it didn't post :( grrrr. Well good vid but ppl use trail tape now a days And write important info on the flag to tell ppl info about the trail..

[@pablosquini]

nice bideo