Bushcraft Etiquette (resurrected)

[Count of Undolpho]

Na, I'd just spit on the ceiling of the lift instead

Just remember to step to one side when you do!

[grey- array]

Good thread, I will always try to honor these Etiquettes.
There were a few that weren't known by me yet, so thank you for the great information guys.
Yours sincerely Ruud

[Androo]

"30. Don’t drive goats into the other team's camp when out on a competition"

Haha! Where is the story of this???

Great thread, I agree with alot of comments about most of the things outlines in the guidelines. Thanks for putting the time in to create it.

I usually camp out on my billy - nothing like resting back in ones hammock with a brew as the buzzards call and deer skitter past...a pace I was made for. This year there will be lots of just me and my son, and one or two others if the mood takes me. I'm not great with crowds, or even a small group of people, so I may join a moot but probably only for the bushcraft, and not the social interaction.

Good guidelines either way.

[HedgeyHog]

Really good set of rules, just wish everyone would "respect" the outdoors. We seem to spend a fair amount of time picking up rubbish people have "left" behind.

[Jomo]

I am quite tall and have what somebody told me 'a farmers walk' my girlfriend is always grabbing my arm to hold me back when we walk together so i will try and take this advice to heart thanks Dunc

[Noddy]

...............

[Squidders]

Stepping over food - I don't get this one... food is either being prepared, being cooked or being eaten and I just don't see how any of those states of being involve food on the floor unattended. Don't leave food laying around unattended, it's food - important stuff. You wouldn't leave custom knives laying around on the floor I hope.

[Toddy]

Ah I saw that one. Folks often prep on a plate on their lap. They put the plate down on a log or suchlike to clean hands or feed the fire, and some iijit steps over instead of going around, and mud/leaves/grass falls off their boots. Same with mugs, they get put down on the ground sometimes while folks do something or other, and the same happens.
Never thought of it as a rule though, more a courtesy sort of thing.

Maybe it should be, "Put your plate on your seat!", or your mug under it

cheers,
Toddy

[BareThrills]

Ah I saw that one. Folks often prep on a plate on their lap. They put the plate down on a log or suchlike to clean hands or feed the fire, and some iijit steps over instead of going around, and mud/leaves/grass falls off their boots. Same with mugs, they get put down on the ground sometimes while folks do something or other, and the same happens.
Never thought of it as a rule though, more a courtesy sort of thing.

Maybe it should be, "Put your plate on your seat!", or your mug under it

cheers,
Toddy

At a recent Rough Close meet we had an intruder who attacked all the unattended food. Said Labradoor was soon apprehended and returned to owner.

[Dartmoor navigator]

"29. A small torch or a candle lantern is all that is really needed to navigate bad terrain in the dark."


Hmmm

[Wayland]

I suspect that means around a camp where other people could be dazzled.

Things are different when you are out navigating in the wild sometimes.

[Dartmoor navigator]

Ahhhh, I see (pun intended)

[Squidders]

IT always makes me chuckle when I see people whining about night vision being ruined when they will happily spend hours gazing into a hot camp fire at night. I'm all for one light that does everything (ie: bright and dim light) instead of carrying all sorts of lanterns and contraptions and candles around. It's just common courtesy not to shine lights in peoples faces isn't it.

[Dartmoor navigator]

IT always makes me chuckle when I see people whining about night vision being ruined when they will happily spend hours gazing into a hot camp fire at night. I'm all for one light that does everything (ie: bright and dim light) instead of carrying all sorts of lanterns and contraptions and candles around. It's just common courtesy not to shine lights in peoples faces isn't it.

Absolutely. When you are talking to someone face to face either turn off your head torch or cover it.

[Lister]

only time a torch/flashlight at campfire is acceptable is when telling spooky stories and then only for under-the-chin ambience

[midge_fodder]

Mark your Cat holes, seriously I don't want to dig up anyone elses wee broon pals. Failure to comply is a capital offence in my book.

[Elen Sentier]

It was a great thread. My own bugbear is the music one - personally I would suggest:

The best music of all is nature. If you enjoy music outdoors, great - but please understand that others may not want to hear it. Please keep your music personal. If you plan an outdoor recital please let others know in advance so they can choose to camp elsewhere.

Red

It was the cat holes got me here, but it's a great thread and I wholly agree about the music! It's nature's own music I come out for.

[Toddy]

Don't camp near me then, if Jamie's there with a fiddle, there will be music

Come to think on it, you'd best avoid most of the Scottish meet ups altogether; the Loch Troon one is a heavy metal gig

Time and place, sometimes good company around a fire is really enriched by good music

cheers,
Toddy

[avalon]

I'm not on here very often but after skimming through all those rules I think I will just disregard them and stick to my own code, that is: Leave no trace, keep it simple and respect everyone.

[ExHelot]

Well said!

[ExHelot]

The intention of the party should be known during the early planning stages. To leave others behind, unless your object is competitive, is rude. We travel in a group because we enjoy one another's company. Leaving someone behind is like telling them that they're of no value to the rest of us or just plain unwanted. I can't think of a better way to turn someone away from the experience if they are new to hiking &c. Just my point of view.

[ExHelot]

Harsh but, in many cases true.

[ExHelot]

I would say that you were the victim of inconsiderate and self centered companions. I've always been a middle of the road walker. Being blessed with a "Meares-esque" physique, I've always been one to pace myself and enjoy the scenery. If need be I can cover a lot of distance in a short time while carrying a lot of gear but, What on earth for? When I'm alone I like the company and when I'm not, it's out of choice and I like the company. Now that I'm middle aged and have some serious problems with arthritis in my back, hips, and knees, I'm slower still. I wouldn't let your experience turn you off from the enjoyment of a good hike. Find someone that isn't out for a marathon or trying to prove something and walk with them. There are plenty of folks out there that would be happy to simply stroll along, I know I am. In fact, once I don my gear for a hike and camp weekend, I prefer to take my time and enjoy good company. I hope you haven't given up because of the physical damage or the shabby treatment you received.

[Will Bowden]

Leave no trace, keep it simple and respect everyone.

I think I'll struggle with the last bit. I try to see the best in people but they do have a habit of letting me down.

Will

[avalon]

I think I'll struggle with the last bit. I try to see the best in people but they do have a habit of letting me down.

Will

I see you're in Exmoor, a place I fell in love with many years ago and have many happy memories of, but also a place that has attracted more and more people who have no real respect for it's beauty, so I can understand your point of view.

[Defenderdavie]

It always amazes me the lack of respect some people have when out and about
I always try to leave no trace and be respectful
When at proper camp sites music can be a pain
Especially if you groups are about
But nothing better than a fiddle and a guitar
To make some music round a campfire with friends

As long as you don't go on to late
Not been to a bcuk meet yet
But get out a lot either walking and camping or camping at land rover site
We're engines and chainsaws as well as welding generators are common place into the small ours

[carabao]

This is a good thread, good thoughts, good practices. Me, personally I dont get music blaring from a stereo, I am in the field to get away from nonsense, not to take nonsense with me to fubar what nature has created. I do get live music round a fire in a group, that is mankind we gathered and to form bonds we told stories, we sang and we danced, we celebrated the day.

[carabao]

Ok, need advice, this advice needed is related to this thread and fear of the dark.
I have great difficulty sleeping ( I have PTSD); so to prevent me annoying and waking up the family, I walk at night. I take the hound and I tab across the downs and in the morning I get a train back from where ever I am. Not a problem, but on several occasions I have walked into people or groups wild camp sites. In general I dont use a torch or headlamp unless on roads or fence crossing or through farmyards. So what is the protocol, usually I just pass by or avoid but on several occasion I have disturbed someone and they have jumped up or shouted then I have just called out passing through and carried on. Has anyone had this experience of this

[British Red]

Not unless your dog is the one that woke me under a large beech tree about 3am about five years back - some sort of lab retriever. If it was you at least I offered you a brew

[carabao]

Not unless your dog is the one that woke me under a large beech tree about 3am about five years back - some sort of lab retriever. If it was you at least I offered you a brew

Nope not me Red, but wish it was you, all I got was expletives no offer for a cuppa.