Survival Foods In the Wilderness
There are several basic categories of survival foods in the wilderness. Which ones you'll want to use depends on where you are and what tools you have. Here are the foods most likely available. (Note: With the exception of the berries, you should reserve most of these foods for true emergencies.)
Wild Berries
This is the easiest survival foods to obtain. If it is the right time of year, you can often find several different edible berries to choose from. If it looks and tastes like a blueberry, strawberry or raspberry, it is. Others you may want to learn to identify include wild currants, service berries (also known as june berries), bearberries, wintergreen berries, bunchberries, wild cherries, thimbleberries, blackberries, cranberries, and rose hips (the fruit of wild roses).
Fish And Other Foods From Water
All freshwater fish in North America are safe to eat. Sometimes you can catch fish with your bare hands. Try waiting where they swim by, and quickly pinning them to the bottom with your hand. (I have caught 30 or 40 small fish in an hour or two in this way.) You can sometimes chase fish into shallow water and trap them as well. If you can fashion line and a hook from items you have, use worms or grasshoppers for bait.
Often it is easier to obtain other survival foods from lakes and streams. Shell fish, like mollusks or clams can often just be picked up (boil or cook them over a fire). Crayfish can be found crawling around on the bottom of lakes and streams, as well as hiding under rocks and logs in the water. The only part with any usable quantity of meat is the tail, but they are delicious.
Insects And Other Bugs
Not all insects are safe to eat. To be safe, stick with grasshoppers and wood grubs. The former can be caught by hand in many grassy areas. The latter are found by breaking open rotten logs. Cook both of these before eating. Remove legs and wings from grasshoppers.
Birds
It is difficult to capture or kill most birds without a gun. Survival weapons like a bola can be used, but unless you have previously practiced using them, it is unlikely you'll have much success. There are some that nest on the ground, though, such as ptarmigan or grouse, which can possibly be taken with a well-aimed rock. Since they often return to the same place, you may get more than one chance. Eggs from ground-nesting birds are also a good survival food (cook them).
Larger Animals
Without weapons it is very difficult to kill most mammals. Even with spears and other survival weapons it isn't likely that you'll have much luck, unless you have previously practiced using these. Don't waste time trying until all your other needs (shelter, water, signal fire) are met. There is one animal you can kill with a rock or large stick, however: the porcupine. Be careful of the sharp quills, cutting and cleaning them from the underside. These animals are slow (and tasty), making them one of the better survival foods.
Related Tags: survival, survival foods, foods, backpacker
Copyright Steve Gillman. To get the ebook "Ultralight Backpacking Secrets (And Wilderness Survival Tips)" for FREE, as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: The Ultralight Backpacking Site: www.The-Ultralight-Site.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Would You Volunteer To Hang To A Thin Cable And Zip 170 Feet Aboveground?
I did and loved every minute of it. It takes a leap of faith, and trust in yourself, your equipment - Bonding With Your Kids On Camping Trips
A camping expedition is an excellent opportunity for family bonding - specially around the camp fire - Trip To Darjeeling
Darjeeling a beautiful hill town situated in the lap of the mightiest Kanchan Junga is one of the so - Brazil Beach Paradise: Trindade
Only 15 miles south of the popular colonial town of Paraty, is the small fishing village of Trindade - The Outdoor Sport Makes You Think Naturally Closer
Whether Go out to the outdoors can be very valuable to many volunteers of us. The volunteer who take - Resplendent Hvar - The Crown Jewel Of The Dalmatian Coast
Ask any image-conscious Croatian, and you'll probably be told that the most beautiful of the over 10 - Swarovski Optiks Pocket Binoculars Reviews
There's at least 10 pocket binoculars available from Swarovski Optiks, so how do you know which one - How To Achieve Safety Summer Camping
Camping is one of the enjoyable events for every human being but we should be more aware of the camp - Treat Yourself With Our Adventure Tours
Always ready to take the first road out? At the Explorers, all roads lead to outdoor adventure and t - Kerala Tour - Amazing Experience To Relish Forever
Kerala is a beautiful tours and travel destination in India visited by tourists, travelers and world
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Get a Hitch Bike Rack and Keep Your Bike Safe
If you've got a pickup truck or an SUV, you may think that you don't need to make an investment in a - Relaxing in Your Hammock Swing
A hammock swing without anyone sitting in it looks much like a hanging bundle of ropes. It can be ha - Hiking - 3 Essential First Aid Techniques For Any Hiker
Every hiker should have at least a basic knowledge of first aid and three of the most valuable skill - What Types of Things are Related to Sharks?
Sharks have been part of people's lives in several ways. It does not matter if you ever saw one, liv - Mountain Vacations
Why mountain vacations? Hmm... Two days ago I was swimming in the Arkansas River. A few days before - Chill Out In Florida
If you are looking for relaxation Florida is ideal. There are also a vast array of lakes, forests, n - Why Not Consider Idaho For Your Next Family Vacation?
Many of the national parks in the United States are facing a crisis. Too many visitors. Overcrowdi - The Travelers' Temperature Predicaments (2)
Temperature measurement is very important to a whole range of areas and activities: science, scienti - Backpacking Tents
When there is a plan for backpack hiking, camping out and a taste of the world away from the city, a - Wedding Tents
When it is your big day, you simply want everything to be perfect as the way you had envisioned it.