Woodsmanship skills that you use

[Wolfshead]

There was a post from an earlier date titled "woodsmanship skills being lost"

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=111522;p=0

I was reading that and thought that yes we do live in an era of modern conveniences, but some of those skills are nessesary.
As Traditional Bowhunters, what woodsmanship skills do you feel are needed/nessesary, important, etc....

[Izzy]

Tracking.

[Roger Norris]

Map/Compass reading. Fire building.

[Rob W.]

Tracking, navigation, animal behaviors, knowing food sources and survival.

The most beneficial in my neck of the woods is tracking. Sometimes I think people either have it or they don't.


Rob

[BigArcher]

Navigation as in knowing where you are and how to get where you want to go without aids of any kind. Know what to carry ( not too much) and how to use it in any situation.  Fire building.

BigArcher

[VictoryHunter]

Tracking, survival, and animal behavior.

[buckeye_hunter]

The presence of mind to stop, think, listen, prioritize, and then use all the information you gather to make the right choice.

Knowing how to make a lean-to or other shelter.

Ability to make fire.

Knowing how to get fresh water.

knowing how to set a snare.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I would Agree with the above posts. It funny we call it woodsmanship and now they want to reinvent it and call it survival skills.

[buckeye_hunter]

Double post. Sorry

[Bowwild]

1. Know animal Sign -- is game present.
2. Tree identification -- where will game be.
3. Being invisible -- getting close.
4. Decision making -- getting the shot.
5. Equipment competence -- making the shot
6. Tracking -- find the game
7. Meat care
8. Story telling -- passing the torch

[cahaba]

1. Playing the wind.
2. Understanding thermals and how they apply to
   game movement.
3. Being quiet in the woods and having low impact
   on areas.
4. Using shadows and natural areas to set up
   blinds.

[HighTecRedNeck]

PATIENCE is #1
Knowledge #2

In touch with your surroundings at all times. Let your natural instincts come through. That little voice in the back of your mind knows when something has changed.

[John Scifres]

I think woodsmanship and experience are one in the same.  It's not a set of skills so much as it is a calm and confidence that you know what you are doing out there.  I am hard-pressed to put into words the reasons I am a better woodsman now after 30+ years of hunting.  I do know that there isn't a single thing that scares me when I am out there.  Except methed up rednecks or unabomber type whack jobs.

[Mike Vines]

Navigation, and being able to read the small critters (birds and squirrels)in the woods to tell you what the bigger critters are doing.

[Shawn Leonard]

Tracking and the ability to read a compass and use one the right way. Making a fire also, with simple stuff like flint and or a small magnifying glass. Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

Tracking and the ability to read a compass and use one the right way. Making a fire also, with simple stuff like flint and or a small magnifying glass. Shawn

[STICKBENDER98]

I think everyone above has hit this nail on the head and pounded it in flush.  Everyone seems to be in such a hurry these days...(myself included) that we have gotten away from the simple things. I spend a couple weeks each year hunting here in the Upper Penninsula and enjoy the vast wilderness it has to offer...it normally takes about three or four days to slow down and take in all Mother Nature has to offer.  I sort of got off subject a little, but basic woodsmans skills and survival are becoming a thing of the past if we don't keep teaching it.

[Wolfshead]

Originally posted by STICKBENDER98:
I think everyone above has hit this nail on the head and pounded it in flush.  Everyone seems to be in such a hurry these days...(myself included) that we have gotten away from the simple things. I spend a couple weeks each year hunting here in the Upper Penninsula and enjoy the vast wilderness it has to offer...it normally takes about three or four days to slow down and take in all Mother Nature has to offer.  I sort of got off subject a little, but basic woodsmans skills and survival are becoming a thing of the past if we don't keep teaching it.

I agree
In Mr. Asbell's book on Stalking, he tells us to try and slow down. To consciously slow our pace. I have been trying that as the season gets closer, to get used to going slow. It is NOT an easy thing sometimes!
Good response so far.
Anymore?    

[Rob W.]

A perfect day for me.

1. Navigate into a wilderness area
2. Find an oak dropping with plenty of sign
3. Harvest nice Fat Doe in the evening
4. Recover deer after a good tracking job.
5. Call buddy to help get meat in cooler
6. Hike back in and build fire with steel or ferro rod.
7. Roast back straps on open fire.
8. Toast the day with a dark beer.
9. sleep under stars
10. repeat  

[achigan]

now your limitations.
If you are in a hole, know to stop digging.