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I’ve spent more nights than I can count on the river with nothing but a tarp, a fire, and a couple of small solar lanterns. I’m also gifted at leaving my flashlight at home. Ask anyone who has camped with me.

The woods have a way of teaching you things the easy way or the hard way. This lesson hit me the hard way. Five miles from my truck, no cell service, no phone battery, thick Mississippi timber, and the one thing I was counting on slipped out of my pocket without a sound. My map was gone. One second it was tucked in my cargo pocket, laminated and ready to use, and the next time I reached for it I found nothing but empty fabric. Somewhere behind me, in five miles of woods, that

Fire is the heartbeat of camp. It’s more than heat or light. It’s what separates comfort from hardship. Without it, the woods turn cold and empty. With it, the same place feels alive. Food cooks, water boils, and your spirit steadies. Fire gives life its rhythm in the wild.

The pine tree is one of the most valuable trees in the wild. It has built homes, sealed ships, flavored medicines, and warmed countless camps. For the outdoorsman, it is more than just a tree. It’s a fire starter, food source, healer, and survival tool that stands ready all year long.

When most people picture starting a fire with natural materials, they imagine rubbing two sticks together. That is the image we have all seen in movies. In truth, what they are thinking of is the bow drill, one of the oldest and most reliable ways to start a fire with nothing but wood, cordage, and patience.

Humidity makes fire starting a real challenge by soaking tinder, slowing ignition, and smothering flames. Learn how to beat it with dry tinder, small kindling, raised fire beds, and patience. With the right prep and mindset, even thick, damp air can’t stop your fire—or your faith—from burning steady.

A forgotten flashlight in the Mississippi Delta turns a calm hunt into a lesson on fear, preparation, and the kind of light that never fails when darkness falls.

Roasting Quail and making coffee Cooking over coals: Cooking over a campfire looks easy until you ruin a meal or two. The movies make it look simple. Meat sizzling. Sparks flying. Smiles all around. But in the real world, cooking over an open flame can turn a perfect steak into a blackened mess before the inside ever gets warm. I learned this the hard way. When you’re hungry and the fire looks right, it’s easy to toss food straight over the flames. The problem is that flames

Most people underestimate how many calories they burn in the woods. You move more, carry more, and deal with weather your body is not used to. Even staying warm burns calories. Shivering alone burns a surprising amount.

Shelter is a fundamental human need, and when it comes to primitive camping, it is no different. Creating a shelter from the elements is...

When it comes to building a natural shelter, we start with what the land gives us. The goal is simple, protection from the elements using...

Cooking outdoors changes everything. This simple campfire chicken recipe brings together smoky flavor, patience, and the joy of cooking over coals with a Dutch oven. Learn how to use a tripod, pot crane, or bed roll stove to make it right. And if you don’t feel like cooking from scratch, you can always grab the ready-to-go Primitive Camping Chicken Stew meal and enjoy the same comfort anywhere you set up camp.