This article is part of
Wilderness Way
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3.
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Dirttime
Report
by
Alan Halcon and Dude McLean
We are often asked, “Where can I go to learn primitive, traditional and modern skills?” Our answer is always the same, use the internet. You can find some fine instructors and many classes all over the country. Go to a library, you can find books on all of the skills. The other option is to attend one of the big events such as “Wintercount,” “Rabbitstick,” “River Cane Rendezvous,” or the “Glass Buttes” event. There are also dozens of smaller events throughout the country, many that have been around since the 60s and 70s. More modern events can be found advertised in various magazines and on the net. Google works wonders…
In many cases, the internet has had a tremendous impact on the overall success of such events. The interest level in learning primitive and traditional bush skills, as well as bush skills, as well as the higher tech hiking and camping skills, is at an all time high.
Meet The Hoodlums
A few issues ago (Volume 11, Issue 2) in a “Meet The
Masters” article, we interviewed Ron Hood about his online
business, (website: www.survival.com). While we touched on
his personal philosophies and experiences, we made only a
vague reference to the fact that he also enjoys one of the
most successful forums on the internet, dedicated to the
outdoor enthusiast where one can exchange thoughts, ideas,
ask questions and expect answers on all aspects of
self-reliance and survival from stone-age to high tech.
Since the early days, members of this forum were known as
“Hoodlums,” a play on Ron’s last name.
The “Hoodlums” forum attracts people from all walks of life, some with military and law enforcement experience, some with primitive and traditional skills expertise, and some are on top of the newest hi-tech advances. Many of the top names in the field are members who you may not immediately recognize due to the screen names they use.
A Gathering Of Like Minds
Back in 2000, a core group of original members decided it
would be great to organize a gathering. While the excitement
level was high, so was the level of concern. After all, this
was the first time most of the members would meet face to
face and no one knew who this event would attract. The first
ever “Hoodlum” event, dubbed H2K, was held in Washington
state. What a success!
Everyone who attended knew that this was the start of something special. Following the success of the first annual gathering, subsequent events were held in different states, to show off gear, give classes and instructions in many of the skills for no charge, with the chance to mingle with a bunch of like minded folks.
Meeting In The Dirt
This year marked the 7th year the event has been held. The
location for this year’s event was Bull Trout Lake, Idaho.
New friendships were forged and old ones rekindled. Old
timers showed up and the “newbies” dared to come and mingle.
Some thought this was one of the best gatherings yet. In
many ways it was, but we do not believe it is fair to judge
one against the other, since each gathering has its own
personality.
Base camp is always the focal point of the “event.” A parachute erected for shade, as a rain protector and as a spark arrester, was the central gathering point for the next three and a half days. Special thanks go out to the “Hoodlums” very own SERE specialists for providing and putting up the parachute.
The
classes were a seamless blend of primitive and modern
skills. Joe Bigley (a.k.a. Aboman, of Salmon Outdoor School
and author of Aboman’s Guide To Wilderness Schools And
Events) taught flint knapping with great patience and
skill. Denise, Joe’s wife, taught a basket weaving class
using willow. They both can be seen in the “WoodsMaster”
Volume 16 and 17 and in the Woodsmaster home in Karen Hood’s
“Primitive Cooking” Volume 5 (website: www.survival.com).
Allen Jensen, a representative for TOPS knives, taught knife and sheath making. He brought a generator, power tools, and other gear to assist in the construction of knives and sheaths. This proved to be a very popular class.
Allen was everywhere — with his duties as cook and cleanup man, making patterns for sheaths, putting slabs on knives, grinding and cutting. It was a good thing his wife Chris was there to prop him up.
Josh and Travis, two Air Force SERE specialists in attendance, gave straight forward instructions on land navigation using topographic maps of the area, compass and pace counting. This class, held in classroom fashion followed by actual field practice, had many in rapt attention. It was a great learning experience. Josh and Travis proved themselves to be highly competent as they taught their subject with great enthusiasm.
Todd, a Navy SEAL and Naval Survival instructor, gave a class in the art of field first aid. He showed us how a proper suture should be made. He sliced an orange and several of us sewed it up under his practiced, critical eye and encouragement. The side stories were worth putting up with the blood of the orange.
Web,
a SAR member and a rock climbing instructor, tantalized us
with his vast knowledge of knots and how to properly tie
them for a variety of situations. This was an awesome thing
to see and it is a skill you really must own.
Bill Hay, a retired tactical firearms instructor, gave instructions on weapons handling and the ramifications. He taught a knife sharpening class using different grades of sandpaper and a block of wood, a skill he gives a nod of thanks to Dr. Terry Trier for passing on. Bill has a very pleasant way of getting his point across and making it real.
George Michaud, a veteran professional trapper, gave a lesson on animal trapping and proper trap placement that deals with the environment you are in, as well as how to take advantage of your surroundings. His setting and placement of a snare was enlightening even to some old-time trappers. George’s skills are well known in the primitive community.
Dude and Alan (that’s us) led a large group on a wild plant identification hike, through the woods and to the edges of a large pond or a small lake. We identified northwest plants such as, twinberry or bear berry, fireweed, strawberry, leafy aster, yarrow, selfheal, three spotted mariposa lily, larkspur, red clover, dwarf mountain lupine, thistle, and many more. We explained the uses and how to prepare many of the plants.
Alan led a class on making fire with the hand drill, where nearly everyone who participated successfully made a coal for the first time, under the watchful eye of the Fire God. The joy and benefits of using the Egyptian bow and drill over using the traditional bow and drill was also taught. The success was evident when students cried: “I’ve got a coal.” Most thought the Egyptian bow and drill was far easier than they had assumed.
Ron Hood did not formally hold a class, but peppered everyone with various tidbits of useful information that will prove to be helpful in the field. He explained “range estimation” and field expedient ways of determining the height of objects, such as trees, large boulders, a bluff, and Bigfoot. Ron’s knowledge base is legendary, and he backs it up by doing it right there in front of you.
We are leaving out so many things like Bob and Pam who brought the firewood so no one would have to chop wood; all of those who made the camp tick and work; and those who fed the rest of us. The organizers of the gathering, Dan, Lou, and Allen, did an outstanding job.
We had more than a few active military personnel present, most of whom made special sacrifices to be at this event. It is very interesting that they are including primitive skills as part of the skills that they are teaching in the military.
This gathering covered everything from the very primitive
skills to the modern and traditional. You should try to get
out to any of these types of events. The “Hoodlums” forum
and the gatherings are open to everyone.