Part 3 of 4 in my autumn CPD programme
I met Roger Harrington of Bison Bushcraft around 2006, we shared a woodland used for training near Heathfield in East Sussex and later both delivered specialist elements to a grand 60th birthday party, he axe throwing and I set up a zip wire - see photos!
Last year I invited him to look at our current training estate in Kent with a view to running some of his popular courses, and we discussed some of the bushcraft skills that might be of interest to me and typical chainsaw course trainees, not least to make their experience more comfortable.
Many of the bushcraft skills were simply early techniques of woodsmen, and this is one aspect Roger explore in his countryman course.
Roger agreed to deliver some one-one training (something I’m also keen on especially with experienced but non certificated arborists) and last week we met up and he took me through some of the key skills that he might normally cover on his longer courses. I was also interested in getting some advice on some work I am due to do with our local Scout group.
I had a great day and really enjoyed meeting Roger and Rob, although I have worked in that part of the estate for many days delivering my own climbing and chainsaw training it was a totally different experience, not least due to the skills learned but also to see things from their perspective. Here are a few of the areas covered, and what you might get a taste of on my training courses;
· Site set up & shelter – tarp configurations & attachments.
· Fire lighting – compromise approach using tinder with lighter!
· Knife use, grips, techniques, simple carving, care & sharpening
· Axe selection, application, use, care & sharpening
· Using a little kit to achieve a lot & Improvising tools
· Minimise waste & impact on the environment (Roger – sorry about the tractor!)
I’m keen to do more and hope to set up a course next year with a few friends, and enjoy the social side of spending time in the woods – if you would like to do the same then give him a call!
Bushcraft according to wikipedia
Bushcraft is a long-term extension of survival skillsand is about surviving and thriving in the natural environment, and the acquisition of ancient skills and knowledge to do so. Bushcraft skills include; firecraft, tracking, hunting, fishing, shelter building, the use of tools such as knives and axes, foraging, hand-carving wood, container construction from natural materials, rope and twine-making, and many others. These are the kinds of skills well known to our ancestors, many of which are still practiced today as an everyday skill amongst aboriginal and native peoples around the world.
All of our training team are Lantra approved arborist instructors. Get in touch to get yourself booked on to one of our many courses including chainsaw training, tree cutting courses and LOLER inspection courses.