SOLO SURVIVAL with ONLY A HATCHET! Catch + Cook, Multiple Shelters, Primitive Bushcraft

[@TheBearEssentials]

*MORE INFO + COMMENTS ANSWERED:* 1) *Can you still get giardia from the raw cattails? / How safe are the Cattails to eat?"* Yes, technically, you can get giardia from eating those raw shoots. I haven't heard of anyone getting it that way, but these plants are filters, and one should always wash them off first, but even then, I'm guessing the parasite can technically be in the shoot. I eat them raw because they are way more delicious that way to be honest! But yes - safer method is cook them (at a minimum, wash the new shoots off well with clean water) Also, don't wat cattails from any roadside location simply because they are filter plants and any roadside toxins or pesticide runoff will accumulate in these plants. If you're in a survival or wild setting, there's no risk there - but in general, avoid grabbing them from the roadside! 2) *Why didn't you use your bag to boil the water in?* I just wanted to ONLY use the hatchet - I found some human trash at times, too; there was a can and piece of glass and a small frayed rope, but I didn't want to use any of these so I could focus on showing what to do with just nature. 3) *Is the Chaga Friction fire reliable?* I would say no. I think I got lucky and worked very hard for this fire. In the future, I would stick to the bow drill. If the Chaga is moist (which it is in pretty much all warm months, then it won't work.)

[@user-uj3tw1il9t]

U think that u can make some 1 or 2 hour videos man that would be cool If u can man

[@TheBearEssentials]

@@user-uj3tw1il9t Yeah, I'll need to do a 4-5 day trip for that but will definitely do it in the coming months.

[@TheBearEssentials]

One of my most fun videos to shoot!! Hope you all enjoy it!!! -Your friend, DJ

[@AbuAsiyabayan]

Currently in northern Saskatchewan, so your setting looks familiar. The setting of Hatchet is in northern Alberta, not far from here.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Northern Sask! So cool, i bet theres incredible pike and walleye fishing up there. I'd love to visit that part of Canada sometime!

[@AbuAsiyabayan]

@@TheBearEssentials Check out NW Sask, Hodge and surround lakes, 120km north of the clearwater river

[@alexsilva9536]

"The hatchet" and "My side of the mountain" were my favorite books to read growing up

[@TheBearEssentials]

YES!!!!! Same here!!

[@davearonow65]

Yes, and Old Yeller, even though it wasn't about survival.

[@diggerblair7460]

Love my side of the mountain wish I could live that way when I was a kid we stayed in the woods a ton

[@naurekk]

Same 2 for me!

[@LucasSun-m7s]

Definitely some of the best books I have ever read!

[@ChrisFar]

The "Hatchet" was arguably THE book that got me interested in camping, Bushcraft and Survival. Love this style of video. Great change up from the knot tutorials (which I also love). Keep these coming! 🤜

[@ek-nz]

I feel a lot of kindred spirits here. We all grew up with Hatchet (I think I liked Brian’s Winter even better) and we are all still interested in survival and living with nature, despite many of us being somewhat stuck in the urban grind. Thanks for this video DJ, we appreciate it.

[@TheBearEssentials]

I can relate to your comment so so much. Thx for taking the time to write this - I live in the city right now, and am slowly taking steps to get out and live a life more in tune with nature. These videos, and my brand as a whole are my way of mixing this urban life with that. Even if it's just a bit at a time - the escape triggers something nostalgic and brings me a lot of peace. Im so glad making them brings that feeling to others too. That's all I could ever ask for. Thank you

[@Fangs_with_wings]

I like “ the river “ most

[@LieutenantSheezy]

Love how he talks into my left AirPod for all the selfie shots

[@TheBearEssentials]

Lmao. I’m an audio noob I’m so sorry 🤣

[@user-ev9vq4dl6i]

my left airpod just so happened to die.

[@PKAdventures]

42:10 -part of the reason i have a long beard is because if i can't find any bait and none of my lures are working, then i can run my fingers through my beard and come up with a couple loose hairs, then trim off around the bottom inch of my beard. then i put the trimmed off portion around my hook, and use the loose hairs i found to wrap around the tuft of hair and hook, tie it off, and boom, i have a fly. the cool thing is i have a bunch of different colors in my beard, and the more time i spend in the sun the more those colors come out, and the more the browns turn to reds and oranges, which seem to work really well. so if i do get stranded, by the time i need to make a fly from a small portion of my beard, it should be getting a lot of that red and orange color. also, if somehow you have no other options, you can make pretty good cordage for fishing line from beard hair. and hair is actually pretty good in a tinder bundle. but you want to mix it with other things because it has a bunch of natural oils and burns really fast. so ya, 1 of my most important and useful survival tools = my Beard oh, and great video, you got my sub!

[@rock7282]

I’ve never seen anybody be able to turn green vegetation into a fishing line. I’d love to see this work.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Only real difference between green and dried is that dried is shrunk. So people dry their strands first so the line will last a much longer time. That fishing line I weaved green is only good for the time I was fishing it and the next day or two.

[@TheBearEssentials]

HOW TO FIX AUDIO ISSUE PLAYING IN ONLY LEFT EAR: *Sorry about that it's COMPLETELY my fault, I had a new FPV camera for this one* *On iOS:* go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Mono audio > toggle the switch on. *On a MAC:* Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Audio > Tick the checkbox for Play stereo audio as mono. *On a PC: * Just search "Mono" after hitting the Windows key and its the first option that comes up. And after you're done watching the video just remember to disable the setting and you're good to go!

[@DisturbedGeneration]

I just unplugged my headphones and used speakers lmao.

[@spintEEn1]

This is the best survival video i seen in my life

[@TheBearEssentials]

Wow, thank you so much my friend. Really appreciate you saying this. I'll try to get out and do another one in a couple weeks.

[@bencekocsis722]

@@TheBearEssentialsi love it too !!please a same with a survival knife!!!

[@getsmart3701]

What a great idea mate. Total respect for the skills on display.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks a bunch! It was a blast!

[@jasongarling20]

DJ, LISTEN PLEASE! This was absolutely 💯 a video that should be in the bushcraft/survival hall of fame! I love this type of video! Please keep doing more and sharing the skills needed to survive! As you said, yes, you had food, water and shelter for a day... but you definitely used way more calories than you replaced! And it was a great day! There will be days with no food etc... survival isn't easy, but it's possible...just NOT ALONE!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Wow, such a great comment / response. You hit it bang on with my thoughts on the not alone part!

[@marrty777]

My favorite as well. First chapter book I ever read.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Me too! I was so obsessed with trying to go out and survive after reading it as a kid! 🤣

[@mr.r2816]

Really nice challenge! If I had to take one item with me in the wilderness, it would be as much salt as I can carry! Anything else can be replicated, but finding salt in nature could really be a challenge. Of course, if we are talking about long term survival

[@TheBearEssentials]

Good call; yeah, in prepping for alone, this was one of the bigger issues I had studied. There are a few plants - Coltsfoot (cattails have a bit of sodium) , hickory and dandelion. And one strategy that indigenous cultures use is burning them down to ashes - the salt content remains. You then put those in water, sift out the ash and what you're left with is salt-filled water! I think unless you are experienced and able to find chert/flint, I'd probs take a sharp blade as my one item. But salt would also be definitely high priority! Thanks for sharing your thought on this!!!

[@sparkyswearsalot]

Have to admit my anxiety shot up a bit when you used river rocks for your fire ring, but I figured it wasn't going to be a huge one and obviously you were fine. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!

[@XanderBudnick]

learned alot on this one DJ! Great video brother! ive always wanted to try the chaga fire plow! u da man!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Eyyy thx brotha. I think it's nearly impossible unless the chaga is dried -I got really lucky with that one on the downed tree... Cant wait to see your Yukon Video dude!

[@IForgotMyName13]

You know your watching this at 3 a.m

[@2goldenace]

You’re . . . And so am I

[@pandashi3121]

1:22 a.m.😔

[@purjungbawalling1667]

True 😅 How did you know

[@ffvjoli7953]

Wtf 😂 3:03😂

[@Snoddy2Hotty]

👀

[@LeviDavis-sh8ib]

That book probably wasnt the best choice for schools to read to kids becauss when i was little after hearing that book i took my older brothers hatchet and was like seriously about to run out into the wilderness like a dumbass when i was packing my mom caught me 😅

[@TheBearEssentials]

Lmao I honestly wanted to do the same

[@user-vw6ej7ib5c]

Old saying " the more you know the less you need" holds true

[@foreveragamer7560]

Love that you explain the stuff you do as well

[@chrisrider102]

Love the moment the dark came down and your fire burned brightly! Outstanding

[@JifeLacket]

I had no bait when I was up in northern Ontario with the family on a canoe-in-camping trip and used random green leaves and caught a bunch of rock bass. The hooks are definitely what made it work but it was crazy to me when I was 25 years younger.

[@michaelford2517]

I’m not sure I would’ve felt comfortable sleeping on that rock shelf. All those rocks you moved so you could sleep there fell from the top at one point.

[@duykien199789]

This is some serious survival challenge bro! I learned so much from this video! Would love to see more of these '1 item' challenge, and I don't mind if it's default hatchet +1 other item.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Oh man, its really so difficult to do, film, and get all the detailed shots! I will definitely do another - and in the winter, I will do another attempt at my no Item challenge (which failed last time haha - but is a great watch regardless) I think my next vid will be bushcraft focused as there's something new Ive been really wanting to try - and then I'll mix in another single or minimal item challenge :)

[@kingsnow617GT]

Never seen a fire started that way….Nice!!! 👍🏾

[@kingsnow617GT]

Or a bowl made out of tree bark 🤯

[@joshparsons4121]

I loved these movies growing up and I still watch them occasionally

[@CONDORE33]

I have never seen this kind of method of boiling water in a survival situation 😲

[@isaiahhucto1736]

Came to your channel for the knots, started for the survival knowledge. Awesome video, Hatchet was my favorite book as a kid, and i just reread it as an adult and it still stands up very well. Brian's Winter is a great book too.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Brians winter! That was the 2nd book when he goes back, right? I loved the series so much !

[@Defender23AD]

Absolutely great video thanks for taking us along. The plant nutrition was a good helpful addition. Can’t wait for the next adventure

[@barbtudinoTravelAgent]

Loved it!!!! Love how you come up to a "challenge" and then figure out what to do- some with success, some without. Then you move on and find a different way to get it done. Also like hearing your thought process. You have amazing fishing skills!

[@TheBearEssentials]

My biggest fan :) Thank you :):)

[@SusieLovesJesus]

Hey DJ! 😃 I knew I'd love this video, and you didn't disappoint! It was absolutely amazing watching you just keep stepping up your situation better and better with every moment you were there. I know that in an actual survival scenario where you wouldn't be able to stop the experience, you would just keep on improving everything. Before you'd know it, you'd be living it up like Robinson Crusoe on Gilligan's Island 😅💪🏻 If I had a choice for a partner to survive with, you'd be my number one top shelf valuable source for knowledge, morale and heart! ☺️ Great shelter... And spectacular getting those fish my friend! 😲🤗 Thanks for taking us along and setting the bar 😁 See ya next time! 💖

[@chriszeis5477]

Cool idea I like it, you should try a similar run with just a machete

[@duster_adventures]

This is the first video of yours ive seen, very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Look forward to seeing more

[@TheBearEssentials]

Eyy thanks so much! Im glad you found the channel. Will have more vids every couple weeks like this - and in between some in-depth tutorials :)

[@leosoco]

The Chipmunk 🐿️ Scare!!!!😅 I thought it was a Bear!!!

[@felix-eeee]

I've never seen someone do this with just a hatchet, you're awesome

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thx Felix! It was definitely one of the harder challenges Ive done. If I had given myself a week and decided to stay put, I think I could have done a few more fun long-term survival projects to help sustain myself. Maybe I'll try that in the future

[@felix-eeee]

@@TheBearEssentials great idea, I would love to see that

[@baxterwellington9432]

Phenomenal video. What an experience for you! Im genuinely happier having watched this 😊.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Wow, baxter thx so much for saying that lol. made my day, and im happy It put a smile on your face!

[@ojeanwilliams297]

Hatchet is such a good book

[@banyoking3998]

Proven and tested!! You deserve my like and subscribe!! Please make more survival days and with tips like that again🎉

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks! Will do!

[@db.mc2]

Thank you DJ! 👊🏻👍🏻 God Bless 🙏🏻 Appreciate you always my friend 🫶🏻

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you too brother!

[@K24103]

I read Hatchet as a kid in school as well. Forgot everything after this video I gotta get the ebook and re-read it.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Yes!! give it another read!

[@blueberrycheesecroissant]

I love the vibrant nature color.

[@LetsPlayWithPixels13]

The 'bear' essentials that's a great name 😂

[@chrisconklin8085]

Great video DJ. I especially liked watching you purify water. I love British archaeology and they often discuss that method as it was used by the stone age, bronze age, and iron age people. They call the stones "pot boilers" and they would make containers out of hide to hold water or milk. Also, thanks for giving a shout out to Otzi!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Oh wow, that's fascinating! Pot Boilers, I'll start using that term more! And ofcourse, Otzi is one of the coolest discoveries to me!

[@gardenketchup7841]

This really reminds me of the forest/sons of the forest, although you seem to be more skilled in the ways of survival

[@TheBearEssentials]

Cool, I just looked it up, I've never played it, but it looks AWESOME!! I want to now.

[@Matt_Reinhart]

I'm sure Gary Paulsen would approve :) God rest his soul.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thx Matt! means a lot! (rest in peace)

[@ABlackDudesSmokeDetector]

giardia usually takes like 10-14 days to kick in tho so if your ever in a pinch without a way to boil water and your confident you can make it back to safety within that time you can risk it. not recommended but its better short term then dehydration.

[@latifaagius39]

Really inspiring! Thanks DJ! Wow!!!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much!

[@lucasbernard5304]

I read hatchet when I was a kid. I love your channel

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thx Lucas, glad you like it! And me too man my fav childhood book

[@miamipastel]

When are you going on Alone bro? I will watch you.

[@TheBearEssentials]

I was an alternate on season 9. And hired as one of the survival expert’s / med response team for FROZEN season 2 which was unfortunately cancelled. Under NDA, I don’t think I can talk about any of that experience, but I’ll just say I have more creative control over my storyline and education doing these KZbin videos for everyone for free :) Thanks a bunch for the support!!!

[@miamipastel]

@@TheBearEssentials Whoa, that's awesome, I had no idea!

[@TheBearEssentials]

@@miamipastelI don’t talk about it much. Was a tough time in my life. Worked really hard for 6 months prepping and gaining weight, taking a leave from firefighting etc, and then watching all the other contestants launch and sitting there in disbelief! Lots of silver linings, lots of good along with it too. But it’s much much better to do this on my own terms :)

[@miamipastel]

​@@TheBearEssentials I never thought about the implications of having alternate contestants selected. While I understand why they'd want back-ups, it's rather cruel considering how much dedicated prep work is needed for an endeavor like that... I'm glad you're enjoying things on your own terms.

[@TheBearEssentials]

​@@miamipastel Ya, sometimes they will get a chance to go on - for example Clay Hayes was an alternate who got subbed in and ended up winning. Also Larry from an earlier season. It’s understandable because its a History Channel production - so big budget and they need contingencies to make the show. Anyways, thanks for the words! You’re awesome!

[@Tre-lb8nt]

You just brung the most craziest childhood memory come up mentioning Hatchet man…good school memories…

[@TerrasTreasure]

I loved Hatchet. (the book and this trip!) I've read it and the companion books-this video is making me wanna read them again. I enjoyed your second shelter and was impressed with the gorge fishing! Well done.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks so much!!!

[@chrismancia-xq7rm]

not bad buddy, not bad at all. love the fishing line and hook. the exact video i was looking for. keep up the good work brother

[@Backyard_Survival_CN]

Amazing video and showcased skills, this is the real deal!

[@Clumsybutter2]

I love hatchet and all of Gary Paulson‘s other books❤

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Great video, DJ. So helpful. Surprised you didn't make chaga tea. I was wondering if soaked cattail leaves can be used for cordage? Perhaps quicker, easier and longer sections. Be safe and thank you..

[@HandsIntoHistory]

I thought the same thing on the chaga...figured it might help purify the water even more, lol

[@TheBearEssentials]

Ya! I really should have, that was a massive piece. I think I was honestly just so exhausted and focused on hydrating im not sure why i didnt!

[@rodrigofaria4498]

it's crazy how that fungus is able to keep an ember for such a long time! Really cool!

[@jenhamilton]

Legit!!!! informative and entertaining as always. You are officially my favorite bushcraft practitioner.

[@shalithavishwa.3947]

Damn..this is my first time hear and im almost regreting it cuz i cant find this very sooner..lv this❤

[@callingfromyahuah2017]

Great input, thank you very much to teach and show us for real tricks and survival technics.God bless you🙏

[@mattpna]

amazing video buddy ! very interesting and we can see you enjoyed a lot to record this video :) Keep it up brother !

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks Matt, youre the man !

[@Accu-xk6pu]

“The hatchet” is the best book I’ve ever read

[@AshtonMarsh-l3r]

10/10 videos

[@JacquiSinclairNZ]

Im a new sub from New 2 Zealand. Im sharpening up my fire lighting, chimney, shelter skills etc. your channel really helped me to learn some great knots. I spent all morning trying different tarp configurations. Thank you! If you ever travel yo New Zedland you have a home base with us here in the Tasman district , south island ❤❤

[@TheBearEssentials]

Kia Ora!!! First off, welcome to the channel, and thank you so much for watching and commenting. I had the privilege of camping and travelling for 4 months in NZ back about 9 years ago! One of the greatest times of my life! I do 100% plan to return some day, such a special and beautiful place. Thanks for bringing back a good memory for me!

[@Jaska8000]

Impressive fishing without line and hook to start with.

[@HandsIntoHistory]

YES!!! You did the frogs legs as I mentioned in your last video! 😁 And yup...I remember them tasting just like chicken too, lol. I was on the edge of my seat when it looked like you weren't gonna catch one, and also when you lost the one! Another awesome video!

[@TheBearEssentials]

I did! Although I didnt have that incredible recipe, they were still delicious I gotta say!

[@HandsIntoHistory]

@TheBearEssentials I'm thinking that when you can get frogs legs in fancy restaurants these days, they must have very large farm raised ones, cuz there isn't a lot of meat on those wild ones, lol. And hey- you were only there with a hatchet. If you'd started pulling out ingredients to cook up with the legs, it wouldn't have been a survival video 😊 And I'm not joking: JUST before I watched your video, I was watching an old TV show called Leave It To Beaver, a great classic. Anyhoo, one of the episodes involved Beaver wanting to buy a used canoe for $25. His father said if he could raise half the money, he'd contribute the other half. A friend told Beaver he could catch a bunch of bullfrogs and sell them to a guy for $0.25 each. So he catches 50, then finds out the guy 'croaks' them and sells them to labs for dissection. Well, Beaver had made 'pets' out of the frogs by the time he was supposed to take them to the man, so he ended up letting them all go-- couldn't bare the thought of them getting killed! I'm yelling at the tv: "they're JUST frogs!!" .... and then I watched your video and was like-- "YESSS!!", haha!!

[@Vary180]

wow, i read that book as a kid too!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Its so good! Ill have to give it a re-read!

[@mauriziomassidda415]

In from Italy,i follow u from 1years and i love your Channel🔥💪

[@lizdg3892]

And you can make Chaga tea. Great work on that fire!

[@SnowCone-gw1of]

Dude the hatchet was and still is my favorite book

[@Let_it_be807]

Thank u for an amazing vid... Learned a lot in that 50+ min..

[@Xeros_channel]

21:45 SNOOZE Dumbledore said calmly

[@user-xd9gn1eu2e]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 👍🏼

[@TheBearEssentials]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@devildogsbushcraft7898]

I read hatchet also. I am impressed with your skills brother.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you my friend! Glad i could pull this one off, definitely got lucky with a few things.

[@notakiwi7151]

Hatch, Bridge to Terrabithia, The Trail

[@bencekocsis722]

Please do next an only knife video !👍

[@TheBearEssentials]

Will do !

[@bythemountain]

I had seen cattails drawings in mors kochanski books and tried to spot them in the city, and could only find small specimen (not even sure that was it). So it was great to see how they actually look like! Great episode as usual!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Mors is my favourite all time survival instructor. I’ve learned so so much from him. Rest in peace to a great Man! Happy to help, and thanks for the Mors mention too!!

[@kevgoes]

Great vid. Thanks for everything you shared here. Looks like it was a lot of fun!

[@kevgoes]

Oh...and that fishing was an absolute mind blower!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks Kev!!!I really appreciate that man! Ya, I got super lucky with that fishing. In reality I had about 10+ bites before the hook actually worked.

[@Zenith7YT]

10:41 DAMN BRO IS JACKED

[@sparkyswearsalot]

Dear god you are adorable! I want to go camping with you. It must be so fun!

[@nelistheron83]

Epic bro! Lessons learned. Thank you.

[@TheBearEssentials]

MY pleasure thanks a a bunch for watching!

[@hdrvman]

Thanks again DJ !!!

[@TheBearEssentials]

No, thank you!

[@LamThiHanh24]

You do very well and meaningfully, I am doing it too but I will try to learn from you. Wish you always success.❤❤

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you, I wish you all the best as well 🙏

[@LamThiHanh24]

@@TheBearEssentials ☺️☺️☺️

[@Thereisonly-oneway]

Yess! You did it, congrats 👍

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thank you!

[@Motivated754]

Holy shit I LOVE the hatchet. Absolutely beautiful piece of literature. I first got my hands on the book during one of the book fairs in my school, maybe 1st or 2nd grade? I love that book more than any.

[@markgelinas8114]

On frogs, make a gigging spear. Can also be used on fish.

[@TheBearEssentials]

Right on Mark - only thing is the regulations here, theres only 2 types of fish legally allowed to spear where I was and neither were in this waterbody. Also i was sort of unsure if I could use the gig on frogs legally here. I don't see why not, but I was reading the regs and couldn't really be certain of it.

[@markayy]

I found your channel a couple days ago because of a knot video. Now I'm completely hooked. Lets just say you are my adult Bear Grylls I guess

[@dusterinoman]

Amazing video. I watched the whole thing I really enjoyed it and kudos to you! Just make the voice layer mono instead of stereo.

[@scotblack1386]

Hatchet is a great book. There were some others with the same character.

[@Sillyrat_e]

Honestly, before watching this video, I only knew Bear. Now I know DJ too!

[@TheBearEssentials]

Thanks E!!!! This is so nice to say - showing a tiny bit more of myself in these haha

[@Devin2kgod]

My favorite book too

[@DragonBladeSongs]

I love this kind of content. Don't go dying on us though

[@stefsiron3352]

Hatchet was an amazing book ❤❤❤

[@hoser7706]

This is all awesome. Could you have iused your hat more? Catching frogs. Straining dirty water etc

[@raysorvino2185]

Kinda dope how he made that fire

[@AndrewGroh-uc4ve]

I love how people say boil the water bc of parasites but then will eat stuff picked right out of the same water

[@user-ko8ug4dn1o]

Long videos are better man Nice survival

[@sans-n2y]

ive read and watched hatchet i enjoyed it

[@HELP.EACH.OTHER.LEARN18]

I like the book hatchet

[@arasha8074]

I really like this video

[@francismullen9417]

A sharp stick sharpened by the ax would have been a good way to catch more frogs play stabbing them you can actually make a hook from the sharp stick by putting a v notch on an angle pencil size tip