Whats in My Bushcraft Bag: Shelter

lean-to and heat reflector

Shelter could keep you warm when your cold, cool when your hot, and protect you from the sun and other things.  I have two Walmart tarps made out of a windbreaker like material, a wool blanket, and seasonably appropriate clothing.  In the winter I set the tarps up as an lean too in front of my fire with a heat reflector behind i\t.  Underneath the tarp I place a disposable space blanket.  I will photograph this set up at a later date to show you when winter approaches again.  The picture underneath is similar to the set up I use , but the roof of the shelter is the tarp and emergency space blanket set up.  I would like to replace the tarp with a Grabber Space Blanket, a S.O.L Sport Utility Blanket, or a Cabelas Sportsman's Space Blanket.  They are grommeted tarps with mylar emergency blanket on the underside. These space blankets are some winter upgrades I would like to make to my bushcraft kit..

Cabelas Sportsman's Space Blanket

S.O.L Sport Utility Blanket

Grabber Space Blankets

In the warmer months I like to set my tarps up as an A-frame and make a hammock out of my wool blanket (military surplus army blanket) under it.  I drape a mosquito net over the A-frame set up.  A mosquito net is as important in warm weather in Maine as a wool blanket is in cold weather.  You cannot have a good nights sleep getting chewed alive, and you must also protect yourself from West Nile Virus.  The picture to the right shows a set up similar to what I use minus the mosquito net.  I am going to upgrade from a wool blanket as a hammock to a two person hammock for my girlfriend and I.   I will retain the wool blanket for use as a blanket, or a hammock for Sean, and I probably still use my Walmart Tarps instead of the space blanket ones that I want for cold weather use.

Trash Bag Tarp

Another emergency shelter idea to use in place of a tarp is a 50 or 55 gallon contractor bag/drum liner.  You cut the sides and leave the bottom intact you are left with small tarp.  Tie rocks into folded over edges of the bag/liner to use in place of the grommets to secure the bag/liner.  These are a good idea for short term shelter a day to a week, or supplementing/augmenting a shelter made from natural materials  This is a cheap option at less than a dollar,  I also have a dollar store disposable poncho, and a blue dollar store tarp.  I have been using the dollar store tarp as a ground cloth for a year and it is till intact.  Until next time keep your knives sharp and your powder dry.

Bushcraft Kit for Maine Spring, Fall, and Winter

In Maine we have four seasons we call them mud season, tourist season, deer season, and snow season.  I have heard they roughly equate to the rest of America's spring, summer, fall, and winter.  My current bushcraft kit is configured for the colder months of the year.  In Maine the winters can be pretty brutal. Many nights it is zero before the windchill.  You have to get out of the wind and stay warm.  A bushcraft kit should be adequate for indefinite survival or having enough gear for a fun trip into the woods.   You can think of a bushcraft kit as extreme minimalist camping.  I am rebuilding my bushcraft kit after my previous one was stolen during home invasion.  I want to share the evolution of gear as I rebuild it with you.

This is what is currently in my pack before I adjust it for warmer months.  I will go into greater detail on each item in my kit later, explaining more about each item in later entries.

This is the backpack I keep the kit in. The kit fills all the side and top pouches. The large center portion is empty with room to hold food and clothes.  The rolled up wool blanket is part of the kit.  I believe this is a must have item in the Maine woods in the cold seasons.  This was a great bag that L.L.Bean stopped making around ten years ago.  I paid $49 for this bag and it is still kicking.

My primary cutting tool is an Enzo Tracker knife and I love it.   O1 high carbon steel with a scandi grind.  My secondary cutting tool is a Bahco Laplander saw, which is the benchmark that all other folding survival saws are measured.  It is high quality and only cost around $25.

I use the BCB Crusader Cook System and Patten 58 Water bottle.  My secondary container is the ubiquitous nalgene water bottle in blaze orange.  The BCB kit has a stove and metal canteen cup for boiling water and plastic cup for drinking out of.

I have my First Aid Kits I & II and my Cordage Kits in a used Crystal Light container sealed with electricians tape.  These containers can be used for extra water containers.  The First Aid Kits hold gauze, pads, band aids, tape, and field dressings.  The Cordage Kit is wrapped in dollar store high visibility nylon twine and inside is the dreaded jute twine, paracord, electricians tape, and duct tape with roll flattened.


I also have a Shelter Kit containing two tarps from Walmart, they were about $10 each, and are made of a blue grommeted windbreaker material.  The Fire Kit contains an assortment of lighters matches and tinder contained in my Crystal Light containers.  The kit also contains a good ferrocerium rod that costs about $10.

My Food Procurement Kit consists of three yoyo automatic fishing reels and three wire snares.  I also have some snare wire (dollar store picture hanging wire) in my Miscellaneous Supplies.  In my Miscellaneous Supplies I also have a bandana, duct tape, MRE beverage bags, Chapstick, a needle, and thread.

Around my neck I carry a my compass on a length of papacord is is a Silva compass that I have had for 22 years.  I also carry a multi-tool the Gerber Suspension.    I also have additional gear I pack from time to time, like hiking binoculars for Colleen, and a Brew Kit for me.   I would love to hear comments on what people think I am missing and should have.  This Bushcraft Kit is an evolving thing and I would love feedback.

Until next time keep your knives sharp and your powder dry.