Camping With A Bedroll & Haversack: # 3 Protein, Insects & Random Scoot

Welcome to the miniseries "Camping With Only A Bedroll and Haversack." Part 3 is titled: "Protein, Insects & Random Scoot." You will learn about 1) the advantages of a bedroll, 2) foraging for supper, 3) homemade bow saws, 4) how to make an insect bar for a tent or shelter, 5) how to cook woodlice, 6) dental hygiene / the toothache tree, and 7) taking a "random scoot" into the pathless forest.
This miniseries demonstrates hiking, camping and wilderness survival techniques used during the 1800s. Many of these techniques have been largely forgotten, but are as effective today as when they were first discovered. Although modern tools and technologies are used in the videos, I attempt to use older technologies and improvise solutions to survival problems in a way similar to what our ancestors did before the American West was "settled." The miniseries is based on historical accounts from American pioneers (www.pioneerhand...), Civil War Veterans (such as: John M. Gould, 1877, How To Camp Out, Advice From A Civil War Veteran) and naturalists, such as John Muir and Henry David Thoreau.
For additional information see:
Advantages of a bedroll:
Knapsack vs. Bedroll by Galen Wagner, yellowhammerrif... The Advantages Of A Camping Bed Roll by Andy Brock, ezinearticles.c... A Civil War Bed Roll: www.47thva.org/...
Tenting tonight / Past tents:
Past Tents, The Way We Camped by Susan Snyder, 2006
Tenting Tonight? The Confederate Infantryman in Camp on Campaign by K.C. MacDonald www.lazyjackmes...
Portable soup:
The Food Journal of Lewis & Clark, Recipes for an Expedition by Mary Gunderson, 2003
How To Make Portable Soup: nourishedkitche...
Cooking and eating woodlice (pill bugs):
Cooking and Eating Woodlice -- A Real Bushcreaft Experience by Angus: www.woodlands.c...
Eating Pillbugs www.eattheweeds...
Eating Insects For Survival: www.fieldandstr...
Dental hygiene and the toothache tree:
Chewing Sticks: www.afrostylema...
History of the toothbrush: www.dentistry.c...
Toothache Tree: www.foragingtex...
Random scoot into the pathless forest:
Random Scoot, Atlantic Monthly 1878, 41.645
Walking by Henry David Thoreau, 1851-1861 www.thoreau-onl...
Walden by Henry David Thoreau, 1854 thoreau.eserver...
There Is A Pleasure In The Pathless Woods by Lord Byron 1788-1824
John Muir:
A Thousand-Mile Walk To the Gulf by John Muir, 1916.
The Wilderness World of John Muir edited by Edwin Way Teale, 2001
DISCLAIMER: This video is only a summary. Seek additional information before eating anything with which you are not familiar. Do not eat wild plants unless you definitely know what they are and you know how you will react. Some edible wild plants have poisonous look-alikes. You may be allergic to some edible wild plants. If you are at all unsure, don't eat it. I assume no legal liability or responsibility for injuries resulting from use of information in this video.
Videography by Ken Kramm; filmed in east Texas, USA, March 2013, Canon Vixia HF G10, Final Cut Pro X. Music: Dan Heferan's Jig and Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here by the Heftone Banjo Orchestra, heftone.com/orc..., Creative Commons 1.0 license; Banjo Short by Jason Shaw,www.audionautix..., Creative Commons 3.0 license.

[@KennethKramm]

Thank you for describing the importance of camping away from water! Camping in the Everglades is certainly a place with plenty of mosquitoes and and plenty of water.

[@Schweigwest]

Went on a random scoot today and found a great sit spot. Thanks for the ideas and please keep the videos coming.

[@thunor100]

absobloominlutely magic. ken your stories are the highlight of my week.thanks for inviting me along.exploring texas was always my childhood dream and thanks to you now i am. thank you. best wishes,john.

[@MyBackyardBirding]

Another well done and entertaining treat - better that what's on TV!

[@bigdigs2233]

Hey Kenneth. I just wanted to say that I love this miniseries. This is about the third time I've rewatched the whole thing. Great information. Keep up the amazing work.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Nicholas. Much appreciated. I'm thinking about doing another episode later this year on a topic that was suggested by one of my subscribers. Bushcraft soft skills (people skills) in comparison to the hard skills (such as fire-starting, shelter-building). I am beginning to research the topic .... little was written, but what is written is extremely important. Pioneers depended on each other for survival and they had distinct rules for how each other should be treated.... For example, the Golden Rule was followed, especially on the frontier. Help a stranger in need, and he/she will help you in need, was the mind set. By the way, even today, the Golden Rule is more often following in rural areas of the USA than in the cities (much has been written on this topic). Diaries from the American Civil War stated the importance of wearing a hat when eating (so your hair doesn't get into other's food). There are many of these, little known, softer skills that go along with 1800s / Bedroll & Haversack camping. Anyway, I'm researching the topic. and when I have enough interesting information, it will be put into a video. The Random Scoot, demonstrated in this video, is an example of a "soft skill." Take care, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Thomas. I wanted to try eating pill bugs for a last several years (after learning they were edible), but I didn't have the "courage" to try it, until making this video. Have a wonderful weekend my friend, Ken

[@count_of1310]

Simplify, simplify, simplify. -Henry David Thoreau. The best advice I've ever encountered. Thank you for showing how to do it.

[@bvroadking]

Kenneth you're like the Mr. Rogers of primitive skills... love your videos.. keep em coming..

[@PrimalOutdoors]

Another thumbs up for this video. Jason

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Jason.

[@bowdrillaz]

Fantastic video! Very inspiring. Gonna subscribe.

[@KennethKramm]

Bowdrillaz Bushcrafter Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Andrew! The woodlice were actually tasty, but it did take me a couple of years to "work up the courage" to eat them. Have a great weekend my friend. Ken

[@chantananda]

Thanks for your videos and sharing your knowledge. Keep them coming. This is a thank you tip. I've found that camping at least 200 yards from the nearest water cuts the numbers of squitoes down significantly! Camping in the Everglades here.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks my friend! ... and stay tuned for future episodes. Have a relaxing weekend, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Much appreciated Tito. The weather is fantastically beautiful here, so tomorrow morning I go camping again for 3 nights (alone ) in the "Big Thicket" of east Texas. I've never been to this area... AND it is the only part of Texas that still has bears. Enjoy the weekend too, my friend. Greetings, Ken

[@pinocchiocozad1222]

wish I had stumbled upon your youtube work sooner. Excellent information with a nice good-natured style. I never knew roly-polies were edible AND tasty. I am still trying out gear a piece at a time -- I pick an item I am sure I NEED (I am often wrong) and if I leave it at home deliberately and never need it the whole trip, I don't pack it again, but you have the old skills down far better than my goofy trial and error method. Thanks for being here to teach us tyros out here.

[@01ProFfs]

You are truly great and a great outdoorsman Ken. Love from Sweden.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Foggy. Thanks for watching. It was fun to pretend to be living in past times .... when live was simpler (or was it?) Take care, my friend. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching all three. I've been interested in the subject for several years, but only recently have had the time to research how people hiked and camped post civial war. Stay tuned for more adventures. I recently discovered another "primitive viliage" with about 15 buildings and additional historical information. So cool. I've also learn a receipt that was used by some confederates to turn wood into bread. There were terrible food shortages near the end of the war. Take care,, K

[@AdventureAwaits83]

Great video Ken! Always so informative and adventurous.. The morning sunrise was beautiful.. The Toothache Tree was something! Thanks for taking us along on your interesting journey.

[@KennethKramm]

Much appreciated, Dave. Have a great weekend. Take care, Ken

[@alzathoth]

i really enjoy these 1800s heritage videos. please make more! :)

[@rainbowhiker]

That was fun Ken. You make camping like this look easy. Thank you.

[@bleedgreen263]

Just watched all three of your bedroll videos. Love the research that you put into your videos. Have always wanted to try the bedroll set up when camping or bush crafting. Great job and keep at it!

[@MrJedral]

Well done Ken, I really enjoy the serie.Thank you

[@matterickson9336]

Just came across this series, absolutely fantastic

[@davidtomkinson1876]

Great video! Eating woodlice is on my to do list.I always enjoy your videos, keep em coming. Thanks.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the feedback ... it encourages me to film more episodes of the miniserise. Have a great weekend, my friend. Greetings, Ken

[@bigmuscleify]

HAVERSACK SIMPLE BUT SMART. LIFE NATURALLY LIVED SO AWESOME KEN. THNKS FOR TKN US BACK. LOVE THE FOREST EATS.

[@stevemcguffey148]

Excellent video! Very good lessons taught on keeping things simple in the outdoors.

[@KennethKramm]

+Steve McGuffey Thanks Steve. Have a good weekend bro. ...ken

[@survivalmike]

Hi Ken! thank you very much for your this small series - I hope there is coming more soon :-) ATB from Austria Mike

[@Married2Nature]

Another great video Ken, I enjoy watching when you share your knowledge.

[@daug33]

Again a great lesson of life... Great video... Thank. A french friend Who Dream each Time when see your vidéos.

[@KennethKramm]

+daug33 Thanks for watching and taking to comment. Keep dreaming my french friend. ....ken

[@HillbillysNdaBush]

Very well put together video, Ken. Thanks for the history lessons.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Sandy. This miniseries has helped me remember the importance of learning from the past. The best part is doing research on how people lived, survived and thrived. Yes, I actually at the woodlice. I did not "spit them out when the camera wasn't looking." The are actually good .... a little crunchy, but none the less, good. I do not classify woodlice as "survival food." They are actually good food, that could be included as part of everyday meals. Enjoy the weekend. Ken

[@zzzombiez]

A very lovely series indeed. I really appreciate the Leave No Trace combined with an interactive view of nature. 'Very rare combination, and I subscribe to the same thing. Nice work. Thank you for this resource. - Mike

[@ProtovoxMedia]

Hey! I've been enjoying your series, "Camping with a Bedroll & Haversack." Thanks for making them.

[@KennethKramm]

ProtovoxMedia Your'e Welcome.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi John. Thanks for the compliment .... greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Sam, I'm glad you like this miniseries. Have a good weekend, my friend.

[@my35Xvision]

Excellent video, Ken! Thanks for doing all this great work, that includes research and making video, etc... I love it, not so sure about the woodlice, though.... I can't imagine myself eating it... but all is here a great stuff and the whole production looks quite like professional. Thanks for another great work. Have a great weekend, my friend! :)

[@Mountainbum1876]

I really enjoy this series Ken! Thanks for sharing. Take Care:)

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks. Your feedback means a great deal to me. Wow, better than TV!!!

[@KennethKramm]

It's fun to learn history and learn skills abd information that I didn't know existed. I wanted to try eating woodlice for the last couple of years. This video gave me an excuse to actually do it. Yes, I did eat them....and yes they actually tasted good. Will I eat them again .... maybe. My wife doesn't want them in her kitchen, however. Enjoy the weekend, my friend. Take care, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Frederick! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

[@KennethKramm]

I only camp on the ground (and film bedroll and haversack camping 1800s style) without modern tents ONLY during the late fall, winter and early spring. Invertebrates and snakes are too common for the sort of camping show in this video during that time of the year. In the "1800s vids" I use natural insect and tick repellant plants such as American Beautyberry smudges. I use hammocks, modern tents and modern tick repellents (and native plant repellents) in the summer. Long pants, shirts, etc.

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great stuff Kenneth! Thanks for your efforts!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks, the greater Houston area is beautiful. We live in Conroe, about 30 miles northwest of Houston; next to Jones State Forest. We had frost two mornings in the past year .... warm winters and hot/humid summers. We've lived here 35 years...and I'm not yet comfortible with the summer humidity. The coldest I've expereince here is 20F, which happened for a few nights in a row, several years ago.

[@fepowson]

Ken it is always a pleasure to watch your videos, thankyou for sharing your knowledge and adventures........Les.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Mat. Thanks for watching a commenting. Much appreciated. Have a great weekend! Regards, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for commenting and the sub! Have a good week, my new friend. Ken

[@adventure95004]

Just found your channel and subbed. I am really enjoying your videos, lots of information along with a sense of humor. Thanks for the time and effort you put into them. Andy

[@KennethKramm]

Andy, Thanks for watching, commenting and subbing. It means a great deal to me. This miniseries is one of several diffent topics on my channel. I'm always interested in new ideas....and if there is something that you would like to see in a future video, let me know. Take care and have a great weekend, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thaks my friend. Have a wonderful weekend.... and be sure to exercise outdoors!

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Menu. Thanks for watching and commenting. It means a great deal to me. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. Ken

[@michaelkurz9067]

What a learning experience thank you

[@TheMelvinWei]

Great practical survival advice series Ken. I once caught a praying mantis near my home and watched to do a video on it. I went outside at night to look for potential prey for the praying mantis, and all I saw were pillbugs underneath a yellow light street lamp. I gathered about 20 or so and brought them home to dump them into the container with the praying mantis. The praying mantis was terrified! I kept trying to rotate the container to get the mantis to touch them but it wouldn't eat them.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Bob, I boiled the roly-polies for about 2-3 minutes. They turned a light blue with a slight reddish tinge. Leaving now for the "Big Thicket" ....so called because the vegetation is very thick with alligators, bear, snakes and many "nasty" creatures. You would love it~

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Ulrica. Thanks for watching and commenting... As you too do "random sccots" you know that you never know what you will discover. That's why they are so intersting. I didn't know the flowering shrub would be there and that a butterfly would appear. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. May the forest be with you. Greetings, Ken

[@gkowar]

I do lave watching your channel! Thanks a lot for your efforts!

[@KennethKramm]

Your'e welcome Gerhard. Stay tuned for more 1800s style videos..

[@zzzombiez]

Thank you, Brother Ken. I loved watching you eat the pillbugs - those and ants and termites have helped me out on occasion, in between crawdad ponds ...LOL. Maybe you could come up with some closer plant ID's, especially collected over four seasons when it becomes convenient. If you ever come out towards San Diego and need a hiking buddy, let me know. I think you'd really enjoy a lot of the environments here since they are much like yours, but with a twist here and there. Your friend, - Mike

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, when the temperatures cool and biting, creepy-crawlers hide for the winter, I will return to camping on the ground, 1800s style. Right now, scopions, ticks, spiders and snakes are very common.... it's prudent to camp with only modern tents and equipment. In one of my 1800s videos I showed the gave of an "old timer" who died from a rattlesnake bite. In this area, many pioneers died from tick-borne disease. Stay tuned, 1800s vids will return ..

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Bob. This for the feedback. The pioneer village is such an intersting place. And the people who work there are very helpful. Much of this part of Texas looked similar to this until 75 years ago. The tarp in from an army surpless store vintage viet nam 1970s. I don't reall like the tarp...It's not quite heavy enough.... but I haven't figured out how to make one that is light enough... nor purchase one that looks old enough for the miniseries. Going campin tomoorow for 4 day trip

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Deya. Have a great weekend!

[@KennethKramm]

Excellent question, Leigh. Bacon and eggs were frequently eaten by guys "on the march" in the 1800s. The salt in bacon will keep it from spoiling -- for a while. And unbroken eggs can be eaten for several days, if kept at room temperature. From what I read, guys ate bacon after it was many days old -- they said it was rotten. So I thought it would be OK, to wrap the bacon in paper and put it in a can in my haversack with 2 unbroken eggs for a couple of nights. They didn't spoil ... Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Barry, if it's just an overnight trip, I keep it in a container in my backpack or haversack. In the 1800s people kept bacon for several days .. with no problem .... but they salted the bacon more than we do now. Soldiers often complained that the bacon salt pork was infested with insects...! It would also work to cook it.... and keep it with additional salt. Making pork into jerky (drying) is another possibility.

[@KennethKramm]

Sandy, the ones the roll into tight balls we call "pillbugs" in the US. Some of the species that don't roll into balls don't taste very good, I've been told. Yes, I did swallow the creatures. They were tasty...but a little crunchy. Have a good weekend, my friend, Ken

[@lmmsl]

Such an exciting video dear Ken. It was so interesting to watch and waiting for you to do the next move. So many things also to learn. Many thanks for sharing your experience with us and keeping us entertained. Have a great weekahead. Friend Menu :)

[@KennethKramm]

Brad, I wish others were with me....so we could all have enjoyed the land-shrip and film it. I may eat ants and grasshoppers in future episodes. Have a good weekend my friend. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching my friend. You never know, you may be in a situation someday when eating rollypolies is necessary for survival. Take care and have a good weekend. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. I'm intersting in learing more about your school and am always learning. I live in Conroe (near between Houston and Huntsville). Most ov my videos are filmed in the pineywoods ecoregion...

[@mojobushman]

Nice video ,I used to live near the Tlyer ,Texas area nice to see the ole woods.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks David. I remember from elementry schol years being told by a park ranger when camping that the indians ate ants .... and their formic acid added a spicy flavor. I have been timid about trying it. Now I know it is true, based on your experience. eating ants and grasshoppers are in now on my "bucket list." Maybe for a future video. Take care, Ken

[@mawacal]

I always enjoy your videos. Learn something new each time. Thanks

[@davidfriars]

As always i enjoy watching you video's and there is something interesting in them, Thanks Dave

[@ThomasH0]

Nice trip, Ken, again very educational! Ah, I won't eat the bugs but believe that earlier people did so, otherwise who would know.

[@KennethKramm]

The pioneer vilage is at J. Jones Park in near Spring. The camping/hiking is in the Sam Houston National Forest near Coldspring.

[@simplymy2sense]

Another great video! Thanks for showing me some new wild edibles....and I love the saw

[@robertzachow]

Thank you ken your vids always make my day a happy one.

[@survivewithout]

I love how you do your research

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Dylan. Hadn't know about ginger root antiseptic qualites. I'll check it out....

[@107retired]

So I waited till I saw all three parts before commenting...AWESOME!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "no trace left behind" reminder!! Vital! I did War of Northern Aggression reenacting and the bedroll/haversack made life so much easier. I am addicted to your vids now!! l>) thanks for the vids! Need to check the zones of some plants cause I could use that!!!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks my friend. Much appreciated!

[@KennethKramm]

I look forward to seeing your videos and am subscribig so I don't miss any. I want to camp and hike more is South Texas....and so far have mostly been along the coast....Padre Island National Seashore..

[@drpreppersc]

These adventures are awesome! Thanks.

[@chloegrace162]

Awesome Kenneth!! You are awesome!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Richard!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks my friend.

[@KennethKramm]

Chloe, thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Your feedback means a great deal to me! Cheers, Ken

[@TheOtterOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the Video. I've been wanting to try eating woodlice. I've known how to collect them for science, but never took them to eat. Invertebrates are such a good resource.

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. Have a good weekend!

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks, I really like this series.

[@TheHBHikerBoyScout]

Lol... When I was in 4th grade, my friend and I both ate one of the following, Roly Polie, Cricket and a small black Ant. Can't remember what the Cricket or the Roly Polie tasted like but, the ant was spicy! Had kind of sting attached to it. Enjoyed your video Ken! Take care, David

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks YelloLantern. Even here, most "open spaces" are privite or are "parks" where making a buschcraft-style campfire is not allowed. Forturnately, I live near a National Forest, which permits these activites. The next episode will include tips for quenching your thirst (when water is limited) and early energy drinks that baseball players and outdoor people made in the 1870s. Take care, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks, my friend!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks! Stay tuned for future episodes. Ken

[@zzzombiez]

I have a few friends who have done similar works over at the Dirt Time Forum, some are longtime contributors to the now-defunct Wilderness Way Magazine - Dude McClean, Christopher Nyerges, Alan Halcon, and one of my favorites Paul Campbell who wrote a book you might love; Primitive Skills of the Native Californians - I can't put it down. Anyways, taking four seasons is part of the fun, I'm sure you realize! See you on the trail! Lovely stuff. Mike

[@swaintx]

Excellent video Ken, Great series.

[@KennethKramm]

I wish you were with me too! Maybe I can bring you some, when I visit TN in the summer. I don't know if wax myrtles and toothache trees grow in TN, but I suspect they do. It should say on the internet. Tommow I go for a 4 dayt camping trip ... (this will be my last trip for a couple of months)

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome! Have a good weekend. ATB ....ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks my friend!

[@SurviveN2]

A cool video Ken, I learned a few things ;-)) Thanks for sharing this and Take Care my friend :-))

[@crazyhorseaz6480]

#3 Just as good, Thanks Here again i thank you for describing plant life and eatables. Now those cute little bugs are good to know editable, but i think might have a hard time trying the first one, after that if tastes like shrimp, might go back for more Lol. Ken i know snakes here in Az. we must keep an eye out for, do you run in to many poisonous rattlers, or cotton mouthes on your camping trips over the years? Thanks again, enjoyed every minute.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks. They're a lot of fun. However, now that it is summer (and HOT) , I carry my bedroll differently. See the later episodes.... ATB