Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

Before you unpack your gear, take a few minutes to look up, look down, and look around. The spot you choose matters just as much as the shelter you bring.

In this episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, I share how a river camping trip with my boys turned into a scramble to load the boat when rising water flooded our campsite. We also look at overhead hazards, insects, firewood, wind exposure, and choosing a shelter that works where you’ve stopped.

In this episode:

• Checking for dead limbs, standing dead trees, and overhead hazards.
• Reading the ground for drainage problems and signs of past high water.
• Considering wind, water access, and available firewood.
• Watching for ant beds, wasp nests, and other campsite trouble.
• Using bug nets with hammocks and ground setups.
• Choosing between a tent, tarp, hammock, or natural shelter.
• Looking at a group member’s tarp camp between fallen logs.
• Practicing your shelter setup before your next trip.
• Finding refuge in God—a reflection on Psalm 91.

Mentioned in this episode:

2 Old Farts in the Woods — TikTok hashtag⁠

The campsite post discussed in our Facebook group⁠

For more on campsite selection and shelter, see the shelter section of my book, Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, beginning on page 78.

What’s the first thing you check when choosing a campsite? Share your answer in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group.

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You don’t need 400 pounds of gear to enjoy a night in the woods.

This episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast is a walk through the posts, questions, and camp setups from our Facebook community. I’m talking primitive shelters, hammock camping, fire starting, and why getting outside matters more than having somebody else approve of your gear.

I also share a Mississippi bowhunting story involving knee-deep mud and three baby cottonmouths, explain which materials I prefer for char cloth, and tell how a friction-fire video landed me on MTV’s Ridiculousness.

In this episode:

• Debris shelters and concerns about fire inside them.
• Winter camping and encounters with Mississippi snakes.
• Homemade gear, camp cookware, and mess kits.
• Hammock camping and getting comfortable sleeping outdoors.
• Finding solitude away from crowded campsites.
• Learning from failed fire-starting attempts.
• Char cloth, cotton balls, denim, and catching a spark.
• Camping with kids and passing down a love of the woods.
• Simple camping versus hauling the comforts of home.
• Community campsite suggestions and a Mississippi Delta mushroom story.

Join the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Facebook group, share your setup, and help somebody who’s just getting started.

My book, Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, is also mentioned in this episode, with copies offered for $11 plus shipping through my Vinted listing.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

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A simple question in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group opened up a much bigger discussion: Do you baton wood?

Some people baton on nearly every trip. Others consider it knife abuse and believe an axe, hatchet, or saw is the better tool. Then there are those who say it all depends on the conditions.

In this episode, Chris breaks down the different camps surrounding batoning and asks the more important question: What problem are you actually trying to solve?

Topics discussed include:

• Why bushcrafters baton wood
• Getting to dry inner wood after rain
• Processing smaller kindling
• Preparing fuel for twig and biomass stoves
• Knife vs axe, hatchet, and folding saw
• Wet-weather fire preparation in South Mississippi
• Using bald cypress bark for fire starting
• Letting the fire process larger wood
• Choosing tools based on the trip
• When batoning becomes an unnecessary habit
• Capability versus wisdom
• Why good judgment matters more than internet bushcraft arguments

Batoning is a useful skill when it solves a real problem. The woods do not care which camp you are in. What matters is whether you can use the tools and resources available to get the job done safely.

Primitive Camping & Bushcraft by Chris Speir is available on Amazon and other major book retailers.

Join the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and follow Speir Outdoors on YouTube for more practical outdoor skills and discussions.

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In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris responds to a question from the Facebook group: If modern backpacking gear is lighter, stronger, and more comfortable, what is the point of bushcraft?

That question opened up a strong discussion. Some folks said bushcraft is about traditional skills. Others said modern gear should be used when it works better. Some treated bushcraft and survival like the same thing, while others made a hard line between the two.

Chris breaks down those different camps and explains why bushcraft is not about rejecting modern equipment. It is about not becoming helpless without it.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why modern gear has changed the way people camp
• The difference between camping, primitive camping, bushcraft, and survival
• Why knowledge weighs nothing
• How traditional skills give you more options in the woods
• Why bushcraft is not the same thing as survival
• The problem with buying gear just because someone online recommended it
• Why every trip should teach you something
• The meaning behind Mors Kochanski’s line: “The more you know, the less you carry”
• Why a Bic lighter is useful, but should not be your only plan
• How beginners should measure progress without comparing themselves to experts
• Why faith and preparation are not opposites

Chris also brings the discussion back to Scripture, looking at Abram, Noah, Joseph, and David as examples of people who trusted God while still taking action, preparing, practicing, and walking forward with wisdom.

The real answer is simple: bushcraft is not about suffering, showing off, or pretending modern gear does not exist. It is about building the knowledge and skill to handle yourself when equipment fails, plans change, and the woods start teaching hard lessons.

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In this episode, we dive into one of the most active discussions to hit the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft community in recent months. What started as a photo of a loaded backpack quickly turned into a deeper conversation about experience, comfort, preparedness, and the lessons learned from time spent outdoors.

Topics discussed include:

• The four distinct groups that emerged from the discussion
• Ultralight hikers versus traditional backpackers
• Military rucking and mission-focused loadouts
• Bushcraft approaches to carrying gear
• Why every item in your pack has a cost
• The three pack system and how different trips require different tools
• Practical backpack loading principles
• Eliminating unnecessary gear
• Learning from experience instead of carrying fears
• The wisdom behind "The more you know, the less you carry"
• A biblical perspective on carrying unnecessary burdens
• How to evaluate and improve your loadout after every trip

Whether you're preparing for your first overnight camp or refining a loadout built over decades, this episode offers practical insights for choosing the right gear and leaving behind what no longer serves a purpose.

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What are your thoughts on making a raised bed for camping?

That simple question generated a lively discussion inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and revealed something interesting. People weren't really debating the raised bed itself. They were debating comfort, effort, experience, age, skills, and what they want out of their time outdoors.

In this episode, Chris shares the story behind a raised bed built during a camping trip years ago and explores the many viewpoints that came from the community discussion.

Topics include:

• The original raised bed photograph and camping trip

• Raised beds versus hammocks

• Sleeping off the ground

• Insulation and staying warm

• Cedar boughs, pine needles, and natural bedding

• The reality of sleeping on cold ground

• Comfort versus tradition

• Age, injuries, and camping differently over time

• Long-term camps versus overnight camps

• Skills versus convenience

• Leave No Trace considerations

• Florida, Mississippi, and regional camping differences

• The biblical story of Jacob and the stone pillow

• Why good gear and good skills both solve problems

• The importance of understanding the "why" behind outdoor techniques

The biggest takeaway?

The raised bed isn't the story.

The problem it solves is the story.

Join the discussion in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know:

Would you build a raised bed, or would you rather sleep in a hammock?

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Mosquitoes have ruined more camping trips than bad weather, broken gear, and cold coffee combined.

In this episode, Chris Speir discusses one of the most common problems faced by campers, hunters, fishermen, and bushcrafters: mosquito control. Drawing from years of experience in South Mississippi, Alaska, deer camps, and conversations from the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group, Chris breaks down several methods people use to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Topics include:

• Why mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise perfect trip

• Traditional methods including campfire smoke

• Dog fennel and American beautyberry

• DEET, Picaridin, and Permethrin

• Head nets and protective clothing

• Common mosquito myths and misconceptions

• How Thermacell products work

• Hunting with a Thermacell during bow season

• The new Thermacell Backpacker model

• Wind, setup time, and real-world limitations

• Why good gear solves problems

• Lessons learned from years outdoors

The biggest takeaway?

The gear is not the story.

The problem it solves is the story.

Join the discussion in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know what mosquito control methods work best for you.

Remember:

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

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What piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it?

That simple question generated a flood of responses inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group. In this episode, Chris dives into the conversation and explores the common theme behind the answers.

Topics discussed include:

• Hammocks and better sleep

• Camp pillows and comfort in camp

• Trekking poles and reducing strain

• Fire starters and the "cheating" debate

• BIC lighters versus traditional fire methods

• Thermacells and mosquito control

• Grayl water filtration systems

• Gorilla Tape and field repairs

• P38 and P51 can openers

• Why comfort is not a weakness

• Primitive versus modern gear

• The philosophy of solving problems outdoors

The biggest takeaway?

Good gear isn't the story.

The problem it solves is the story.

Join the conversation in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know:

What piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it?

Remember:

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group has been growing fast, and with that growth comes some great discussions. In this episode, I take a look at a recent post that sparked a lively debate about lightweight hiking chairs.

Are they worth the weight?
Are they an unnecessary luxury?
Or are they one of those items that become more valuable the older we get?

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In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris Speir breaks down why kayaks are one of the most overlooked tools in primitive camping.

This is not about extreme whitewater or stunt paddling. It is about using waterways the way people always have to move gear, reach remote camps, and think differently about access. Rivers and lakes become highways, and a kayak becomes a working tool rather than a toy.

Chris shares real experience kayak camping on Black Creek in Mississippi and at Shepherd State Park, covering how kayak travel changes the way you plan routes, pack gear, and select campsites. He explains why kayak camping forces discipline, how it reshapes your gear choices, and why dry bags, load balance, and route planning matter.

The episode also connects outdoor skills with stewardship, drawing a parallel between caring for your gear and Paul’s careful transport of resources in the book of Acts. Whether you paddle, hike, or drive in, the lesson is the same. Plan ahead. Secure your load. Carry what serves the mission.

If you are interested in primitive camping, bushcraft, or finding new ways to reach quiet places off the beaten path, this episode will give you a practical framework for kayak based camping without fluff or hype.

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In this Fundamental Friday lesson we break down shelter from the inside out. Chris starts with clothing as your first layer of protection and how fabrics behave in heat, cold, and wet conditions. From there we move into shelter site selection using U.S. Army standards: finding level ground, spotting widow makers, judging water levels, avoiding rockslide or avalanche zones, and positioning yourself near resources without exposing yourself to predators or biting insects.

Next we move into the hands-on builds.

Lean To
Attach the tarp to the ridgeline using two prusik loops and toggles. Stake the back corners tight to the ground to form a sloped wall. Angle the wall into or away from the wind depending on the weather. Simple, fast, and sheds rain well when tightened correctly.

A Frame
Lay the tarp lengthwise over the ridgeline so both sides hang evenly. Attach the center tie-out on each side with prusik loops and toggles. Stake down all four corners to create a triangular shelter with better wind and rain protection than a lean to.

Diamond Fly
Turn the tarp diagonally and drape one corner over the ridgeline. Fasten that corner using a prusik and toggle. Pull the opposite two wings down and stake them to the ground. This creates a tight diamond shape that works well over hammocks or on the ground, giving more coverage and airflow.

Adirondack
Lay one corner of the tarp over the ridgeline and attach it with a prusik and toggle. Go behind the tarp and stake out the tie outs directly opposite the toggle points to form the back wall. Fold the far corner inward for a small groundsheet. Stake the front corners to create angled side walls. Flip the top panel over the front and tie it off to a tree to add headroom. This setup reflects heat from a fire straight into the shelter and is excellent for cold weather.

Plow Point
No ridgeline needed. Take one corner of the tarp and tie it up to a tree about seven feet high. Stretch the opposite corner out behind you and stake it tight. Stake the remaining two corners to the ground to form a low sweeping triangle that sheds wind and water and sets up in under a minute. Great for fast shelter or sudden weather.

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This episode digs into a cold night that didn’t go the way it should have gone. A simple overnight trip with Dave turned into a long reminder that winter camping will expose every weak spot in your gear and your planning. I took my military issue extreme cold weather sleeping bag, my Helinox ultralight cot, my wool blanket, and my down puffy blanket from East Hills Outdoors. On paper, everything looked solid. In reality, the setup had one flaw that turned the night miserable.

We walk through exactly what went wrong and why I froze in a bag rated for forty below. We break down how sleeping bags actually work, why compressed insulation fails under your back, and how convective cooling pulls heat out of you faster than you expect. We also get into the difference between top insulation and bottom insulation, why a cot lifts you but never warms you, and how wool blankets and puffy blankets fill the gaps that modern synthetics don’t always cover.

You’ll hear the honest field lessons learned that night, including what I should have done differently, how I now build my cold-weather sleep system, and why even seasoned campers get humbled when they overlook the basics. If you’ve ever slept cold, fought drafts, or misjudged a winter night, this one hits close to home.

Gear and topics discussed
Extreme Cold Weather Military Sleeping Bag
Intermediate Cold Weather Bag
Helinox Ultralight Cot: https://amzn.to/3XuLun8
Get out the Gear Down Puffy Blanket: https://amzn.to/4osn48K
Military Wool Blanket: https://amzn.to/44Dtr1S
Convective Cooling
Insulation R-Value
Cot vs Ground Setup
Winter Sleep System Layering
Primitive Camping Rations: All Products | Primitive Camping

Watch the camping video on Speir Outdoors https://youtu.be/l0O36IDCvRY
Grab the book and meals at Primitive-Camping.com

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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SHOW NOTES
• This Fundamental Friday expands on Monday’s podcast and breaks down each lantern demonstrated on-camera.
• Gear covered: Luci / BioLite solar lantern, LuminAID Titan, the unnamed crank lantern, and the Blavor power station lantern.
• I show how each device works, how bright it is, what it weighs, how long it runs, and where it belongs in a primitive camping setup.
• These are the exact lanterns I use at Camp Wut Da Heck for night work, safety, and comfort.
• If you want to support the channel, grab them through my links below.

YOU NEED TO ADD THESE LINKS TO THE SHOW NOTES
• Amazon link for Luci / BioLite lantern
• Amazon link for LuminAID Titan
• Amazon link for LuminAID standard model
• Amazon link for Blavor power station
• Amazon affiliate storefront link

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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Today’s conversation is all about practical lighting in camp. I walk through the lanterns I actually use, why each one has a job, and how they’ve held up in real weather, river nights, and deep woods trips. From ultralight inflatable solar lanterns to heavy basecamp chargers, I break down what each one is for and why I keep them in my kit.

Gear Mentioned (Remember to add affiliate links):
• LuminAID Lantern – your main work light
• LuminAID Titan – heavier, brighter, doubles as a battery bank
• Luci (BioLite rebrand) inflatable solar lantern
• Blavor Power Station Lantern
• Unbranded solar USB crank lantern
• Tea light can DIY example
• Headlamp and small LED flashlight
• Page references in your book (Page 70–73 sections)

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In this Fundamental Friday, Chris takes a baseplate compass and a USGS topo map into the Mississippi woods and walks a full mile to test how accurate a simple bearing can be in real terrain. You’ll hear how the compass works, how contour lines tell the truth about the land, how to judge distance, and why old tools still matter when batteries fail.
Referenced links
USGS Topo Maps
https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps/topographic-maps
Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Book
https://www.primitive-camping.com/product-page/primitive-camping-bushcraft
how to use a compass article: How to Use a Compass: The Ultimate Guide to Navigation

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In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris shares a real story of getting turned around in the woods after losing his map five miles from the truck, and how nothing but a single compass bearing brought him home. After the story he walks through practical, beginner friendly navigation skills anyone can use with a simple baseplate compass and a topographic map.

Resources Mentioned:

• USGS Topographic Map Downloads
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/

• Outdoors Generations Article by Ethan Shaw
“How to Use a Compass: The Ultimate Guide to Navigation”
https://outdoorgenerations.com/

• Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Book
https://www.primitive-camping.com/product-page/primitive-camping-bushcraft

• Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Website
https://www.primitive-camping.com

Topics Covered:
– The day Chris lost his map in the timber
– How one compass bearing kept him on course
– What a baseplate compass really needs
– Why topographic maps aren’t as intimidating as they look
– How to set a bearing, walk it, and avoid drifting
– Why beginners should practice simple navigation before long trips

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

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check out the new Primitive Camping & Bushcraft App on mobile www.primitive-camping.com here is the link to the app: https://www.mobileapp.app/to/lHKdPm1?ref=mam

In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris takes you from the smell of fair food and shaking hands with listeners to the quiet focus of bow-drill firecraft.

He opens the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft book to page 150 and walks through starting a friction fire, step by step, breaking down what it takes to nurture a single ember until it becomes a blaze. Along the way, he shares a listener story about family, faith, and finding purpose in the outdoors, showing that tending your fire is a lot like tending your soul.

Inside this episode:

Street Fair reflections, lessons, and community shout-outs

Reading and teaching from Primitive Camping and Bushcraft page 150

Step-by-step look at the bow drill — from ember to full flame

Why patience and practice matter more than shortcuts

How building fire mirrors our walk through hardship

A listener story that reignited the flame to keep going

Practical tips for feeding the fire — both in camp and in life

Mentions:

Primitive Camping and Bushcraft (page 150, “The Bow Drill”)

Primitive Camping Rations – freeze-dried meals, coffee, and fire kits

The Friday Blog Post – “Starting Fire the Old Way”

Community group on https://www.primitive-camping.com

Takeaways:

Every fire begins with patience, not force.

Practice friction fire to build skill and discipline.

Faith and focus fade the same way coals do, you have to tend them.

Keep the right people around you; warmth spreads both ways.

The fire you build today might light someone else’s tomorrow.

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📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

Welcome back to Fundamental Fridays here on the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast!
Today, we’re breaking down the Primitive Camping Fire Starter Kit — everything that’s packed inside, how it works, and why it belongs in every outdoor pack. From fatwood and ferro rods to char cloth and fire plugs, this kit is built to help you start a fire anywhere, anytime.

Chris walks through each piece of gear, demonstrates how to make shavings, explains the purpose of the ferro rod and striker, and even lights a few fires along the way. You’ll see how to use the tin itself to make fresh char cloth, and why these little fire kits make great gifts for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Whether you’re camping, hunting, or just getting started with bushcraft, this episode will help you understand not only how to build a fire—but how to be prepared when it matters most.

Check out the Primitive Camping Fire Kits and more gear at:
👉 https://www.primitive-camping.com

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In this episode we are sitting under the tarp at Camp What The Heck with the fire working in the background and talking about something small that becomes a big deal fast in the woods your light
Chris tells the story of a bow hunt in the Mississippi Delta where it got dark fast the mosquitoes were thick the woods went dead quiet and something in the water let out a roar so deep it made every hair stand up
For a minute it felt like hog trouble or worse and he had no sidearm and no flashlight just a bow and a bad decision
You will hear what that sound really was why the dark in the woods can flip peaceful to unsettling in seconds and how sound travels in flooded timber and canals
Then we go into the real point what light does for you mentally out there
Practical talk from the book Primitive Camping and Bushcraft on the gear you should actually carry not just what looks cool online
Why a cheap Energizer headlamp can save you more than a high dollar toy light
Why you should always keep more than one light source on you pocket pack and vehicle and check batteries before every trip
How fast you lose confidence when you cannot see your next step
We also talk about that moment every hunter and camper knows when the sun is gone and now suddenly you feel watched and you feel very small
From there we shift into John 8 verse 12 where Jesus says I am the light of the world and what that means when you are in real darkness with real fear and you cannot see what is in front of you
It is not just outdoor prep It is heart prep
You are going to get
The alligator story from the Delta
The coyote walkout with nothing but a cell phone light
The gear tip that most beginners ignore and regret
The simple checklist to keep you from getting caught blind in the woods
A reminder that physical light and spiritual light both matter when things go dark
Plus a quick update on primitive-camping.com the new store, blog, freeze dried meals, and plans for recording future episodes live from camp and even from the upcoming street fair

If this episode helps you slow down sharpen up or just breathe a little deeper share it with somebody who needs it

Explore More from Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
www.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected:

Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group: www.facebook.com

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥YouTube Channel

Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:
Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoors
Facebook - www.facebook.com

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

Show notes

Today’s focus: Backcountry calories, simple meal planning, and faith for “daily bread.”

From the book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, p.182 (dehydrated/freeze-dried options, flavor add-ons).

Why calories matter: Field burn ≈ 3,500–5,000/day vs ~2,000 at home; shivering, climbs, paddling all spike needs.

Pack by calories, not meals: Target ~120 cal/oz (peanut butter, nuts, olive oil, granola, jerky, calorie-dense rations).

4 rules for the field:

Eat by the clock (adrenaline hides hunger)

Fat is your friend (dense fuel in cold/long treks)

Rotate meals (morale > monotony)

Carry one emergency meal (MRE-level calories)

Freeze-dried “Primitive Camping Rations”: lightweight, calorie-dense, small-batch options; custom runs available.

Faith segment: Matthew 6:11 (“Give us this day our daily bread”), Joseph’s planning, manna trust, Elijah fed by ravens—prepare wisely, trust completely.

Resources mentioned:

Primitive Camping & Bushcraft (Book) – Page 182 on food planning

PrimitiveCamping.com (coming online) – rations, coffee, fire kits

Contact for custom meals chris@primitive-camping.com

Explore More from Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
www.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected:

Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group: www.facebook.com

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥YouTube Channel

Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:
Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoors
Facebook - www.facebook.com

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com