Woodsman Ways Part 15 (Long Term Discussion)

Here I attempt to answer a question that has been asked to me quite a bit.
"How would you kill time in a long term situation?"
www.thewoodsman...

[@beebob51]

Excellent presentation Sarge. I have never had enough time in the woods to do all the things I wanted to, lol. I agree, you focus constantly improving your current situation, you will never get bored. If you work hard, any downtime you get becomes more valuable, therefore boredom is a very minimal issue. My kids for example never tell me they are bored anymore because I find them work to do. Problem resolved. :)

[@sargefaria]

Good stuff buddy ; )

[@whelenshooter]

Great video, Sarge! One of the most important things a person can do in a long term situation is craft some kind of stove, even if you are just living in a tarp shelter. It can be something like a Rocket Stove or something made from rocks, a gallon can, a five gallon metal bucket, or just a hunk of steel. A stove is important because it more efficiently uses your wood, so your wood supply will go farther.

[@sargefaria]

Stoves are good ; )Thanks man

[@DonnyB]

Great response sargefaria. Thank you for another great video and we look forward to more.

[@sargefaria]

Thanks Donny ; )

[@captbizzarro3141]

Great video Derek. I thought the answer to the question was obvious too. In a long term situation you will be busy doing chores or projects which will help you maintain or improve your situation. You brought up good points on how you would spend your time. You should always be stockpiling resources for a rainy day or week. Good discussion. Thank you for your military service. You and others are greatly appreciated for your sacrifice in keeping us all safe and free. You are remembered for all you do on this Memorial Day. Thank you my friend.

[@sargefaria]

Thanks a lot Gino, appreciate it my friend

[@feralwoodcraft]

It's a rare thing for me to come across a vid and not find something I can think of "another" way or disagree with at even some small level. Sarge, you nailed my thoughts and opinion 100%. This is truly the best video I've seen in a long time. Thank you Sir.

[@1crimm]

thanks for your service

[@sargefaria]

Thanks for the support man

[@OldDubDomain]

Great videos with loads of top info on bushcraft. You sir are the real deal.

[@LeeRalph100]

I have commented before that I love this series. I have really enjoyed the cooking videos but I think this is the the most useful and educational video so far. GREAT work. Thanks for sharing!!

[@sargefaria]

Thanks brother

[@morbidfollower]

great vid Sarge. Keep up the long term survival stuff. Its priceless.

[@TCLChannel]

I just finished watching the 'Woodsman Ways' series and I think you've done an excellent job at covering all the discussion topics listed so far, you have a good approach and its nice to see something that isn't about 'bug out' ideas or repetitive suggestions on buying 'bear grylls' one tool every situation products. I live in Australia and all the information you provided and talked about was still relevant, as a soldier in the Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) I've had extensive experience with survival skills and bushcraft but I would still watch your videos for tips and advice.

[@sargefaria]

thanks mate, much appreciated

[@BornRandy62]

many of the older houses around here were stick built from standing wood that was on the lot when they started. If you look around carefully, you will see gingerbread decoration. That was made with a coping saw by hand during the winter months. The garden was already harvested. A potato cave was dug during spring or summer so veggies for the livestock (pumpkin and squash were grown for animal fodder first and then were eaten by humans after the livestock were slaughtered. Livestock kept over the winter took a bunch of resources to maintain. One or more deer was harvested after the winter freeze and livestock slaughter so meat was available. there is always something that needs to be done.

[@sargefaria]

right on man

[@ramsessilent]

You are 100% right there bro, you never have enuff time living long term. After the first year it gets easyer but only because you realize how much there is to do. Lol the only think I would say is move navigation to the improving situation category. First because learning the area you are in and what resources are where are vitality important to save you time to do other things long term. Plus its critical in desiding where your winter camp is going to be. Needing the wood to build a winter structure gathering cords of fire wood as the longer you stay the ferther you need to go to get it. So on and so forth.

[@sargefaria]

Right on bro. Guess I justtook you being out there as you would be pretty good with the Nav stuff.....but I can see you point.

[@Topidop92]

Hello, I think what you're doing is very great and entertaining. I'm one of them who appreciates very much of you videos. Keep it up : )

[@sargefaria]

+ประกาศิค พรหมศร Thanks man

[@TheOtterOutdoorsman]

Good look on things. And even if your needing a physical break, playing a game or playing with a deck of cards helps to keep your mind sharp.

[@sargefaria]

right on bud

[@bushcraftsouth]

This was a good video. VERY nice to see someone discussing the idea of moving past the short term mindset.

[@EatCarbs]

Those are some excellent points.. Seems pretty common sense. Just busy yourself with projects and keep at it. Since I live in a rainforest.. I'd move fire to the Improve because I would build a shelter for my firewood.. I'd want to keep it out of the elements. Great video bro.. thanks

[@sargefaria]

right on bud, thanks ; )

[@Lisaj4431]

I always felt that keeping a cache of dry firewood would be important especially if in a more permanent location, but nobody ever mentions it. Thanks

[@EatCarbs]

If I had a more permanent camp I'd consider building or making some kind of firewood shelter for next time... and stock up.

[@NowAdaysWeWork]

great vid sarge, love your long terms discussions and vids

[@sargefaria]

Thanks bud

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

Very good video, my friend. In a long term situation you'd be busy all the time just trying to survive and maintain. Good information.

[@recon66661]

Very well said thanks for sharing your knowledge !

[@sargefaria]

Thanks bud

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great video. Your right there is always something to do, procrastinators need not apply. Always strive to improve your situation, thrive not survive. I like that Birch bark container. Thanks again take care bud.

[@sargefaria]

Thanks my friend ; ) Pretty cool container for sure, and easy to make

[@AussieHomestead]

Very good commentary on this subject, and I think your disclaimer should be on every youtube video on bushcraft, wilderness living etc

[@sargefaria]

Thanks Mate

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great video brother! Great to reinforce the knowledge!

[@sargefaria]

Thanks buddy

[@AmazingMazen]

Good video and a sensible argument. Aside from everything else you talked about procurement of food alone is a major time sponge.

[@sargefaria]

Exactly, thanks man

[@VICTORGONZALEZ-ql4pc]

I got a bag in my truck and in my wife's car . if she or myself got stranded for a short period of time we could make a fire have something to eat and drink , some cover and sleeping gear + tools (always heavy on tools) but in both bags and my camping gear i keep a deck of cards . when the sun goes down its nice to have something like that to do just before bed . I do agree in your point . I went camping in vermont in january !! so all day was spent getting fire wood . all day !

[@spence0324]

Great vid Sarge on a sometimes tough subject. Teaching adaptability and situation assessment is the key and having the skills to meet each challenge and the ability to know what your priority should be. Dirt time is the best way and owning the skills that allow you to, not just survive, but thrive. Thanks for what you do and happy Memorial Day Bro.

[@sargefaria]

Right on bud, thank you. Happy Memorial day to you as well

[@survivewithout]

this is exactly why I feel if a person is going to do well they would improve there situation with at least another person. hopefully you wouldn't have to do it alone. being alone is harder than most people think and I don't think they think about it much. great discussion

[@sargefaria]

thanks bro

[@jameswright7591]

Great video, putting it to the point.

[@sargefaria]

James Wright I try man

[@nuetrong2]

Great minds think alike Derek, I teach this same concept to my veterans group . P.M.I & 7 P's. K.I.S.S. Thanks man, you are not alone in this train of thought.

[@sargefaria]

thanks bro

[@TheGrizzlyHillbilly]

So many folks tell me i have no idea what I'm talking about yet you jus desribed everything I've been saying for years. :-) good vid sarge

[@EdmundLizotteFLDCRAFTLTC]

Another well done video. Great information, presented in a commonsensical approach. Hooah!

[@sargefaria]

thank you

[@DoesEqualityExist]

Great answer to killing time. Hell, there's not enough time in the day outside of the wilderness, let alone in. Great video.

[@sargefaria]

Thanks man

[@ChrisCollier]

Excellent production Derek! Always something to do instead of watching the ants march by your shelter...

[@oldtimerlee8820]

FWIW, suspect some of the "killing time" questions come from people who go camping in the woods. Whether backpacking or anything between that and staying in an motorhome. Go into the woods with everything needed to sustain for a 2-3 day weekend. Setup camp & there's not much to do beyond preparing meals. Maybe gathering wood, if permitted in the campground. Maybe a little fishing or hiking, if applicable. Used to do a lot of tent & pickup truck camping, with the intent of "down time". To to spend an afternoon in a hammock with a good book before firing up a Colman camp stove to cook supper. A FWIW...... Grew up on a pre-grid farm closely resembling Little House on the Prairie in scope. (Days before REA brought power lines to rural areas.) There was always something that needed to be done to maintain or improve. Exactly what you referenced with 5 of your 6 points. Wood had to be processed everyday for Mama's cast iron cookstove. Water came from the well, one bucket full, at a time. While we had shelter, still needed to maintain & add more shelter for livestock, firewood, etc. Food procurement and processing - if the land could provide it, it wasn't bought at the store. A washboard & a bar of homemade laundry soap illustrates that point. Couldn't help but smile at your third column, - improve circumstances. As a society, that's what we've done. Improved our circumstances to the point we have time to be "bored". Flipping switches, pushing buttons, and pressing levers gives rise to the opportunity to have that mindset. Looking back, that can be a sharp contrast to looking forward to Sunday afternoon. A time of rest. The blessing to have a few hours with absolutely nothing that has to be done. Boredom at it's finest. Thank you for taking the time to address this subject from your viewpoint. IMO, it is a valid question from those who have never had the opportunity to experience self-reliance outside the bounds of modern convenience.

[@sargefaria]

Excellent comment and examples my friend! Lots of validity here, and I see your point on where the questions may stem from. Thanks for your time in watching and leaving this comment, much appreciated Sir.

[@JasonPendergast]

Great information, great answer to the posed question. I would have listed fire in the improve situation, have you done anything with making more efficient fire or heat source? Rock oven or improved fire stove with clay and other material. Just a thought from my background and finding from the field and research.

[@sargefaria]

Jason Pendergast Thanks man. I just added something to my newest video that is quite a bit more efficient as far as burning firewood and all of that goes. Not something off the land, but goes wit the "long term" aspect of things.

[@maxvazquez1003]

This might not mean nothing or the world to you bro.but not only are you my teacher but also my 3 young girls,which they mean the world to me.(point) as a father one try's to find the best for their children.I have been looking for almost 2yrs and have listen to almost all the videos related to what you teach.And i think my looking is done,your teachings will be translated to Spanish and past on for time to come.Thank You and if need any support if we can you got it.God Bless You And Yours.Amen.

[@jimkoz5052]

another good vid keep them coming

[@sargefaria]

thanks man

[@SashikuChan]

You're absolutely correct. There really isn't any reason to kill time in that situation. Of course you might get bored during a long rain storm or something but then all you have to do is use your imagination. I play word games in my mind when I'm bored. It's easy and you can even do things like that while you carve a bowl or work on some other project.

[@goriverman]

thanks Sarge Great info

[@MrJ3gather]

That bowl was a huge surprise! An active and engaged mind is a luxury these days but if one has it then having priorities will then progress into actively maintaining one's environment which will naturally progress into improving one's situation. I think the overall gist this talk echoes through many life situations one may find one's self in. It took me a while to see it but I got it now! It's the mindset that really counts out there. Got it! Great instruction, Sarge thank you. What did you make that white board and dry erase marker out of? Birch bark, fish guts and the purple people eaters third leg?

[@sargefaria]

MrJ3gather LOL.....right on man, thanks

[@shannonbtanner]

Great video brother, all people have to do to realize there really is no free time is to watch any of the "Out Of The Wild" seasons and see how they started sitting on their asses and damn near starved to death, when they could have been non-stop hunting and gathering food and it wouldn't have happened, Great stuff Brother!

[@wnchillbilly1]

good video Sarge :-) yep, seems to me that somebody in a longer stay in the woods that has a lot of time to kill is prolly confusing camping in a grocery store parking lot with survival out in the wooly woods. Lot of folks think that way. LOL , they'll find out different when they try eating their altoid tins. great tarp set-up, btw :-)

[@sargefaria]

for sure bud, thanks

[@bobjones7629]

I do not have the experience that you have, but I have lived weeks at the time camping out in the woods. The really easy way to answer this question is "There is always firewood to cut, always"

[@Nativesurvival]

Yup yup, good chat and thought process indeed; goodstuff bro. Excuse me as i go kill some time sharpening my tools lmbo

[@sargefaria]

HAHA....right on bro, im with ya ; )

[@jameskitchell1277]

very interresting and informatey set videos

[@TheSurviver72]

Great video, Sarge.

[@Bootstrapjack59]

nice vid

[@sargefaria]

thank you

[@SkoshiBushLTSR]

I watched a show called. Revolution but when I started to think wtf they never make fire, hunt, trap or have water I started to think wouldn't most their time everyday be trying to do those things ? Really liked the vid

[@sargefaria]

thanks man

[@MysticKnight38]

excellent video my friend, lots of good info. Maybe you can make a video on how the bowl and cup are made. That is a new one for me,

[@sargefaria]

Preciate it bro. I will do just that ; )

[@MysticKnight38]

sargefaria that would be great. I went back and paused on it again to see if I could get a clue or two. lol I did, one it is not woven and two the sticks are split and act like clothespins to hold it together. It is not as easy as having one in my hands to look at.

[@sargefaria]

you're pretty much on it man, that's exactly what it is.

[@rockfordberetta8414]

Great answers.

[@TheHiddenWoodsmen]

i would think there would be not enough time in a day for all that is required. just finding,preparing and cooking food would take hours.

[@sargefaria]

right on Malc.....and that's only one priority haha

[@TheHiddenWoodsmen]

sargefaria i love your honest and humble approach to this subject.

[@sargefaria]

Thanks bud.....I try ; )

[@1koolhick]

Well put,hell there's not enough time to get stuff done around the home with all its luxury(electricity,running water,power tools etc.) If you really want to be long-term you will always have something to do.

[@sargefaria]

right on man, exactly

[@DIXIECONFEDERATEDAWG]

LONG TERM, YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH TIME.... AMEN!

[@DeeOGee-bq3pu]

..... Tellin' it like it is, keepin' it real. Awes vid!

[@maxchastain745]

Is it ok to start a fire under a tarp/in shelter?

[@sargefaria]

Max Chastain of course.....if its done properly of course

[@leathersaddlehorse]

Actually, that is a very easy question to answer. There will be no time to kill!! You will wish there were more time (and energy) available to successfully maintain a long term survival situation. Check out some of the biographies and journals of the early pioneers and settlers if you have any doubts.

[@supervortex8363]

agree 100% with the killing time thing this guy is a pro ..?what about clothing .long term .like washing and replacment as clothing don't last forever how do we aqire soap?

[@Vx777infonet]

A pocket radio or crank radio is a great moral boaster IMHO

[@mdelucia67]

Funny.I wanted to ask that question but was kinda chicken I guess.lol. .but I did get my answer. .also, the very beginning of the vid..dead on man..your one of many guys on YT I watch because. You don't come across as being better than...

[@sargefaria]

Thanks man, appreciate it

[@bennyvoncannon5134]

Not much I can add except I agree. I could chime in but why start something. Lots of people here my age in my area grow up hunting and raising a garden because at times we had to .Always something had to be done. My wife and her 3 sisters and brother were raised on game mostly deer because my father in law didn't always have money to be what he called store bought meat He loved to hunt but at times it was survival and he was good at it Before he passed away I would listen for hours .He could tell you a thing or to. A lot like you in a good way make of it what you want he would say.

[@sargefaria]

right on bud, thank you

[@raccoonsarenotafraidofpeop8983]

do yu charge your equipment? if so how??

[@Lisaj4431]

I spend a lot of time in the outdoors ID ING plants making medicinal tinctures and so forth, seems like there's never enough time to get done and learn everything. My daughter's are concerned because I spend so much time alone, though I'm always with my dog:) I guess I've turned into a loner, yet, I never feel lonely. How do you keep a social life and still pursue wilderness skills? I used to be a social butterfly, but, the drama was unbelievable, I'm happier now, but realize friendships are important too. Where can I find women who share my interests?

[@kringles65]

My buddy spends the nights. It's the woodman ways.

[@CBGMaker]

Good vid, Hey I tried to go to your web site to see if you got tarps and cant get it. Whats up with that?

[@derekdavidson6738]

I'm not going to ask about your tarps...because I already have one. woot

[@benatkin9]

when i saw the question that inspired this, i laughed my ass off. not to be offensive to anyone, but if you're trying to thrive, let alone survive... killing time may as well be killing oneself.

[@jamestibbitts5225]

way to go sarge great video as all ways a lot of the stuff on you tube from the so call survival/bush crafter people is bs it will get people killed you on the other hand and a few others seem to hit it on the head every time as one vet to another way to go your pal TIBBITTS

[@Kayakwinds]

I am all for utilizing fire. But if you are on the move and trying to survive off the land, you will likely have a problem building fires with impunity. Let's be frank if someone is in a long term survival situation, he may well be homeless. And yes at least some of the people turning to you and your instruction are , indeed, homeless. As a homeless person, one needs to avoid landowners, crazy teens with baseball bats and over zealous law enforcement officials, including park rangers. Remaining invisible must be a priority. Most people will not be in the backwoods of Alaska.--that much is certain. I hope I'm never homeless; that's all I can say. I think too many people are living in a fantasy world and dreaming of living the life of a 17th century mountain. It's not that way.

[@sargefaria]

.....and then there are some that are afraid of everything, and feel the need to HIDE from everything lol. There are also the "tacti-cool" folks out there that think much the same and think there is a need for ammo storage all over the place, and sniper hides....hahaha. Takes many to make the world go round i guess.

[@Vx777infonet]

Hello Kayakwinds, my 2 cents on your comment, Homeless Bushcraft is a different category IMHO, but I agree there is a lot of cross over and valuable training, As a young man I had a time of homelessness and living on the street as it were, I also was in a training program at a homeless ministry for 3 years in St Louis. Sleep in the woods while homeless? I did but never felt safe, mainly because it was near the big cities, and yes fire could bring trouble. But now I think of stoves, hobo stoves, and fire pits why I did not think of this back in the day I don't know. Lack of training and creative thinking, also you can eat cheap, again why I did not do that escapes me.. other than the choice of cigs or food on a few bucks, cigs where first most times, but training or leading by example may have helped me at that time, all I can say is when you are homeless you are in a different mindset, some never escape this mindset, I did through the help of the Lord and that training program in St. Louis, thank God. Of course I had to do a lot of work and changing.

[@Kayakwinds]

sargefaria I think you response misses the mark. You seem to have a profound fear of being tagged as a survivalist. That's, in my view, why you performed mental gymnastics some time ago in order to avoid talking about self defense weapons. Well I am emphatically not talking about survivalism. Instead, I'm talking about people who are living on the ragged edge, people who are barely surviving this bad economy. I'm talking about the sort of fellow Dave Canterberry held a silent auction for--the guy whose wife was dying of cancer. The fellow was so broke that his electricity was turned off. He told Dave that he was going for forage for wild edibles in order to supplement the evening meal. Your site is entertaining but it is, in my view, a knock off of Dave's site. Possibly a small course correction, such as I"m suggesting would give you an angle to call your own. Start focusing a bit on the sort of guy who endeavoring to creatively survive hard times. I have a lot of respect for you, and I wish you the best, brother.

[@Kayakwinds]

Vx777infonet Thanks for your comments. You seem to get the gist of what I'm saying very nicely. I think there's general target area for people who are either homeless or close to it for financial reasons. Many of these people are smart and eager to learn. They are not--as some mean spirited people seem to think--the dregs of society. I am not at all suggesting that Sarge devote his site to any single category of people, but I do think the sort of resourceful person I'm talking about is eager to adapt bush craft techniques into an everyday strategy of living. And I'm hopeful that Sarge might make some effort to address the situation. Thanks again for your insight. God bless.

[@GrinderMagee]

Nice hat.

[@sethtj5260]

M5

[@BorealWoodsrunner]

... what the smeg...are people ask how to kill the time in the bush?really really how is that even a question at all.In a long term situation your day would be full just trapping/hunting/resource gathering/shelter building-improving/camp improvement :)

[@sargefaria]

haha....right on man

[@rednecklowlife]

Prepare to get stuff done for your well being would use up all your time!

[@sargefaria]

surely would

[@feralwoodcraft]

It's a rare thing for me to come across a vid and not find something I can think of "another" way or disagree with at even some small level. Sarge, you nailed my thoughts and opinion 100%. This is truly the best video I've seen in a long time. Thank you Sir.