Over the past few years, I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to find time to devote to extended overnight bushcraft camping outings. It seems there’s always something that needs to be done around the ole’ homestead, and it is very important to me to be present to spend quality time with my little family each day. I’ll still attempt to fit in some overnight trips to spread throughout the year, but in between those trips I’ve had to try a different approach.

So, the solution I’ve found that’s works for me is to take shorter day trips with a simple bushcraft daypack with fewer items into a given area, whether for a few hours or for the majority of the day. In this way, I’m able to go more frequently, and continue to make progress in honing and perfecting my bushcraft skills, even if at times very incremental. It’s still some progress, at least!

I have a number of backpacks that I keep for various purposes.  For example, one is for a regular backpacking camp trip, one for dayhiking, and some are bugout-bags for emergencies. I also keep two of my packs as dedicated bushcraft packs of different sizes that I keep packed and ready with provisions to go very quickly.  They are my favorites and used most often. I frequently rotate a few of the items that I carry depending on the nature and duration of my outing.

• My larger pack is packed for a longer-duration stay from overnight to a few weeks or more if needed, and is naturally heavier. I will often carry items in this pack that I ordinarily woudn’t bring with me on a shorter day trip such as a tent, sleeping bag/pad, heavy axes/saws, and more involved cooking gear. It can weigh between 15-20 pounds when fully loaded.
• My day pack is more of a medium size, and is considerably lighter since I don’t need to carry as much gear for a day outing. It can weigh between 5-10 pounds when fully loaded.

For the purpose of this article, I’ll be primarily focused on helping you put together a simple bushcraft daypack of your own. My hope is this will particularly help beginners who want to get out to learn and practice some bushcrafting, but who may be overwhelmed with the idea of an extended stay or of the cost of all the gear needed for an extended outing. So let’s get started!

Planning Your Bushcraft Day Outing

Before venturing out for a day of bushcrafting, it is helpful to put together a plan so as to maximize your outing and to use your time efficiently in any bushcraft task you intend to accomplish for the day. My goal every time I go out is to hone a skill in at least one area of the bushcraft field. It is possible though to work on multiple skills within your time frame with a little bit of planning.

For example, after you spend a little time practicing some fire starting with a bow drill and have a roaring campfire that only needs to be maintained, you can then move on to some wood carving or building a debris hut shelter. You could also combine foraging with practicing your tracking and observation skills.

Bushcraft Ideas For a Day Trip

There are a wide variety of bushcraft activities and projects that you can choose from that will fit within the time frame of a day. These include, but are not limited to:

• Crafting a friction bow drill, or friction hand drill for fire starting and becoming proficient in their use
• Practicing with a fire-steel or ferrocerium rod for fire starting
• Finding & harvesting fatwood (wood that is naturally saturated with highly flammable resins)
• Practicing knots/lashings
• Building a debris hut shelter
• Practicing with different tarp shelter configurations
• Wood carving/whittling
• Foraging
• Using field guides to identify & study edible/medicinal plants & mushrooms
• Using field guides to become familiar with the various trees in an area
• Using field guides to learn to read animal tracks and sign
• Practice crafting traps,spears or a survival bow for game and/or fish
• Flint knapping
• Basket/container weaving
• Birdwatching (Yes, I consider birdwatching as falling under the bushcraft umbrella, as there is a great deal to learn from how they construct their nests from natural materials)
• Making cordage from natural plant fibers
• Establishing a permanant bushcraft camp for future day or overnight trips, and working to expand it with each following visit

A Simple Bushcraft Gear List

The type of gear you bring along will often vary and depend on which bushcraft activities you’ve chosen to engage in for the day and for how long you plan to be out. Weather is a factor to be considered as well. Some items are essential and should be part of your loadout if you’re venturing into the deep woods or a wilderness area. 

Much of it is basic hiking gear; but, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. If you’re just heading into the back 40 of your property though, or are where people are nearby, then much of it may not be necessary. Just use discretion and good sense, and try to foresee what your needs may be as well as potential dangerous scenarios.

Essential Items:

• Compass
• Whistle
• First-Aid Kit
• Water bottle/filter bottle and/or canteen
• Water filter/Straw, water purification tablets
• Small tarp
• Ground cloth
• Bush Knife
• Cordage (paracord, twine, or jute)
• Fire kit (Lighter,waterproof matches, fire-steel, ferrocerium rod)
• Emergency blanket
• Flashlight
• Suitable clothing, considering the weather
• Lightweight rain poncho
• Bear pepper spray (if trekking in bear country)

Optional & Crafting Items:

• Small bush axe/hatchet
• Small folding saw or collapsible buck saw
• Carving knife/chisel
• Manual auger drill bit
• Mini carpenter’s level
• Mini-measuring tape
• Notebook & pencil (for drawing out crafting plans & journaling)
• Field Guides
• Folding camp shovel or sturdy trowel
• Small collapsible bush fire box
• Leather gloves
• Small cook mess kit, with pot, cup and spork (to heat up some coffee or canned soup, etc.)
• Mini can opener
• Camera
• Any lunch or snack items you’d like to bring, such as jerky, trail mix, coffee, tea, a sandwich, or some canned soup

Choosing a Pack & Packing Efficiently

Many bushcrafters are minimalists and prefer to use either a simple rucksack, haversack or small backpack that can be carried over the shoulder with just a few tools and supplies.The type of pack you choose to carry your day gear in doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy- remember, you can always upgrade later. But it should be durable and waterproof. It should also fit you well and be reasonably comfortable when fully loaded. 

If you choose a backpack, a side pocket for a water bottle is recommended. I personally prefer a pack with strap webbing, not for the tactical look, but because I find it to be practical for attaching certain items to the exterior of the pack for quick access. The webbing is not necessary though, just a suggestion.

When packing your gear, proper weight distribution will contribute to your comfort and ability to carry the pack for long periods. With a smaller, lighter pack and less gear, it’s not necessary to be as fussy as when loading a larger pack for a longer stay.  Pack heavier items where they will be sitting close to your back and towards the bottom. 

Consider which items you’ll likely need quick access to and pack these towards the top, or in a side pocket. Such items might include a water bottle, rain poncho, bush axe, camera or binoculars. Or as previously mentioned, securing such appropriate items to the exterior of your pack either with straps, paracord or small carabiner clips might be preferred.

Conclusion

A bushcraft day trip doesn’t need to be complicated. With a few simple items carried in your own personal bushcraft daypack and some purposeful planning on your part, your outing can be very enjoyable and productive in expanding your bushcraft skillset. 

With each subsequent day trip, you’ll then develop a personal preference of your own and become more discerning as far as what to bring or not to bring. It is my hope that with a simple daypack and gear kit, you’ll be able to get out into the wild places more frequently and have even more opportunities to learn and grow in your bushcraft experience and confidence!