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Briar Patch Outdoors

Florida Wilderness Skills Trip (Part 3)

by Keith A. Williams

Although the fish were caught in various ways, most were caught by individual lines that were set out along the rivers edge. These limb lines were very reliable food producers. Only the largest of the bullfrogs were kept, and the vast majority of these were caught by hand. It seems to me that there is general lack of interest for many of today's youth when it comes to the outdoors, but it was refreshing to me to see the enthusiasm which Jonathon showed as he happily jockeyed for position each time it was his turn to lunge and pluck one of the tasty hoppers from the muddy banks. Although he spotted several armadillos he didn't get a chance to catch any to snack on.

Though we spent quite a bit of time procuring food, there were also selected periods throughout the day which consisted of both formal and informal classes. These were held on Edible and Medicinal plants, Trap and Snares (both primitive and modern), Finger Weaving, Net Making, Primitive Hunting and Fishing, Cordage, Primitive Fire Making, Primitive Shelters, Primitive Weapons, Game Calling, Outdoor Cooking, Water Purification, Map, Compass and Terrain Navigation, as well as some I am sure I am forgetting. George, Darryl, and I taught most of the classes, but we all shared knowledge, and it was very much a two-way street of learning. Nathan, in particular, contributed much information from his experiences running the Pearl River in Mississippi. All of this learning was mixed with the enjoyment of being able to practice this kind of lifestyle on a day-to-day basis in an interesting environment, if only for a short duration.

Mike, Jonathon, Tim, Jason, and Kerri all pretty much became a bunch of fire-by-friction "demons" in no time at all. They were all able to produce their first fire by friction on this trip, using local materials gathered on the spot. Cypress - for both the spindle and the fireboard - was split off of a dead snag using a machete. Hop Hornbeam was cut into bearing blocks, because there is almost no stone available in this area. These materials, combined with sweat and concentration, produced both flames and a huge amount of satisfaction for the first-time fire makers!

On to PART FOUR

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