bushcraft

mullanp

Hi all, two things I want to know here (1) where in Ireland can I buy decent bushcraft equipment in particular a knife and axe (2) can you legally go into any wood/forest and build a shelter and light a fire for a couple of nights? if not what could the repercussions be? I recently did a basic bushcraft course and would love to go out and put into practice what I learned. Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Tabnabs

Probably best to ask the people who organise events and such

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055315103

Tactical

Without permission I'd not think it a good idea to go lighting fires and camping on any land.

State forestry lands are appealing for camping, bushcraft etc... but are subject to strict rules

http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/home/

Finding a willing landowner is invaluable. I'd suggest its as invaluable as the skills one is wishing to practise.

You ask about repercussions of activities. Without first obtaining permission for use of the land, I imagine these could well include being removed from land by landowner, their authorised agents, Gardai, park rangers etc... facing trespass charges, getting a bad name, financial penalty / levy from a disgruntled landowner for use of or damage to their lands...

Tactical

mullanp wrote: »

I recently did a basic bushcraft course and would love to go out and put into practice what I learned.

Did the course provider not mention, even in passing, where and where not to go in this respect? I am imagining that is was in Ireland you done this course?

mullanp

Tactical wrote: »

Did the course provider not mention, even in passing, where and where not to go in this respect? I am imagining that is was in Ireland you done this course?

No he didn't but a few of the other lads that were there suggested a few places all too far away from me. I will try them when I want to go off for a good few days but I was hoping I could go down the road somewhere and just set up camp. Ya the course was in Ireland.

my3cents

Just start by going for the day and stay late, do some night orienteering on the way home so you get an idea for how much interference you are going to get. Just try not to get lost and have to stay the night.

SNAKEDOC

Send an email to coilte asking where they have eoodland nearest you and explain you are a reaponsible envirnoment aware bushcrafter looking for an area to camp on for a night or two and whoukd they have any objections to you using their land. I have found coilte very up front when it comes to allowing use of their land if they have assurances from the user that no lasting damage will be done to forestry. It is a business after all and thats what they are looking out for. When lighting a fire as you were probably taught dig down to make sure you not setting a fire on bog take away the top layer if vegetation and have soil at hand to douse a fire getting too big. Ring it with suitable stones or rocks and when finished douse ashes and spread them in a wide area where they will be fed back to the vegetation. If you explain that you can conduct yourself in a clean and safe manor to the coilte rep then you should get permission maybe after a bit if an informal meeting on site with him/her if needs be. Let us know what happens

mullanp

SNAKEDOC wrote:

Send an email to coilte asking where they have eoodland nearest you and explain you are a reaponsible envirnoment aware bushcrafter looking for an area to camp on for a night or two and whoukd they have any objections to you using their land. I have found coilte very up front when it comes to allowing use of their land if they have assurances from the user that no lasting damage will be done to forestry. It is a business after all and thats what they are looking out for. When lighting a fire as you were probably taught dig down to make sure you not setting a fire on bog take away the top layer if vegetation and have soil at hand to douse a fire getting too big. Ring it with suitable stones or rocks and when finished douse ashes and spread them in a wide area where they will be fed back to the vegetation. If you explain that you can conduct yourself in a clean and safe manor to the coilte rep then you should get permission maybe after a bit if an informal meeting on site with him/her if needs be. Let us know what happens

Good idea I'll give that a go.

drcortex1124

mullanp wrote: »

Hi all, two things I want to know here (1) where in Ireland can I buy decent bushcraft equipment in particular a knife and axe (2) can you legally go into any wood/forest and build a shelter and light a fire for a couple of nights? if not what could the repercussions be? I recently did a basic bushcraft course and would love to go out and put into practice what I learned. Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Back in Blighty my brother and his mates tried this in local woods before old Bill moved them on... they re-pitched their tent around 200 yards away from their original position.

As previous posters said, I bet if you told the landowners what you have in mind and by definition you won't be leaving any litter etc. they'd be happy to give you permish.

sheesh

have you considered offering payment to the landowner and guaranteeing that you were going to remove the shelter and camp afterwards (by way of a deposit) it effectively would be buying some wood off him. And bagging out your poo.

drcortex1124

sheesh wrote: »

have you considered offering payment to the landowner and guaranteeing that you were going to remove the shelter and camp afterwards (by way of a deposit) it effectively would be buying some wood off him. And bagging out your poo.

Your poo can only nourish the soil...

my3cents

drcortex1124 wrote: »

Your poo can only nourish the soil...

But put it in the soil don't just leave it and toilet paper lying on the surface.

drcortex1124

my3cents wrote: »

But put it in the soil don't just leave it and toilet paper lying on the surface.

...Just use leaves..! :-D

SNAKEDOC

Human waste can be quite harmful given the poor diet of most humans these days and also wild animals will tend to dig it up unless its burried at a deep enough depth to prevent odour which is about 12 inches or more. Advise for human waste is to bury it deep and cover with well tamped soil. No need to bag it and carry it out.

my3cents

drcortex1124 wrote: »

...Just use leaves..! :-D

Toilet paper is good for morale and you can never find a decent sized dock leaf when you need one.

SNAKEDOC

Moss is just as good as leaves and is probably more available in wooded areas particularly in pine wood areas

sheesh

drcortex1124 wrote: »

Your poo can only nourish the soil...

And make the place smell of sh!t when the owner of the land that you have rented comes along to check up that you have cleared everything up after you.

Feisar

Knife wise I don't know of anywhere in Ireland that sells decent knives. I buy from a UK online shop.

For me the answer is simple:

Cheap but very good value: Moro Clipper

A bit more up market: Enzo Trapper

I have knives ranging from €15 to €250 if you give me a list of requirements and a budget I'll do my best to offer some recommendations.

Note this will be based on my usage and experiences. I have a Fallkniven F1 but I won't comment as I haven't put it through its paces. Well I will comment and offer it as an option but will be posting youtube reviews!

Pat Mustard

mullanp wrote: »

Hi all, two things I want to know here (1) where in Ireland can I buy decent bushcraft equipment in particular a knife and axe

You could buy a Mora knife from amazon uk, although you might pick one up in a tackle shop. You may be able to pick one up for €15 or so. You can pick up a hatchet for €20 in a place like Woodies DIY or B&Q.

mullanp wrote: »

(2) can you legally go into any wood/forest and build a shelter and light a fire for a couple of nights? if not what could the repercussions be? I recently did a basic bushcraft course and would love to go out and put into practice what I learned. Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Some guidelines on Wild Camping thread here, including where you can camp.

mullanp

I got a Moro Clipper from a hunting shop I haven't given it too much use yet but seems fairly decent

Feisar

mullanp wrote: »

I got a Moro Clipper from a hunting shop I haven't given it too much use yet but seems fairly decent

Mora's are class for the money but know their limitations. Rate tail tang with an injection molded handle won't take the same abuse as a full tang setup. Having said that I've abused a Clipper by batoning it through logs and had no problems.

My favorite scandi ground knife is the Enzo Trapper though.

cd07

Got a schrada axe that comes with fire starter in the handle on the Internet great piece of kit. Google it and you'll find it easily

Outdoormad

mullanp wrote: »

Hi all, two things I want to know here (1) where in Ireland can I buy decent bushcraft equipment in particular a knife and axe (2) can you legally go into any wood/forest and build a shelter and light a fire for a couple of nights? if not what could the repercussions be? I recently did a basic bushcraft course and would love to go out and put into practice what I learned. Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Worst that will happen is that you will be asked to move on but once you leave no trace there should not be a problem. I have camped in a few coilte forests over the years and never had any trouble. If anything the few forestry workers I did see were more welcoming about what I was doing. The problem is when people are cutting live trees and destroying the place. For good gear i find websites are the best and cheapest alot of shops that do sell the gear here charge true the roof. Any thing else I can help with drop me a message