Your Favorite Primitive Skill Masters

Several of the most well known are TV personalities, but there are also those who mostly stick to live teaching and books such as Tom Brown Jr. or Euell Gibbons. I am curious who other people look to as the top tier they aspire to reach on primitive skill mastery. Personally, I am luke-warm on most of those who have TV shows. I believe Survivorman is probably the most informative and useful. Euell Gibbons books are always interesting, but I personally prefer Tom Brown for the usability of his books. His Tracker School training is supurb as well. The only issue is that some people get a bit uncomfortable with his beliefs about spiritual matters. Anyway, back on point; What are your own favorite primitive skill masters?

J. C. White Cloud

Gosh Judith...I actually didn't know what to write at first...othern than you honer me with your praise...I am touch and will always strive to be worthy...

The following is just an opinion...

I have nothing to say about T.B jr...I have known him (and of him) for over 35 years...I would never send a student there...enough said...do not ask...

Euell was a friend of Paul Petzoldt (founder of KOLS and the Wilderness Education Society) both my mentors the later a friend. Loosing Euell as early as we did was a lose...and I think both would shiver at what is shown on TV and the Internet.

As far as the best teacher...that is easy to answer actually...I will give you what Paul and several tribal elders gave me for an answer...


Just remember what you have been born with. Internalize it and trust it. "Sense well" all that is around you...it will teach you more by being in it and doing what needs to be done...more than any mentor...

Boiled down...learn the basics, and go out side to live...if you don't...no teacher will ever help you more than that.

I have listed references on this topic here at permies...if you do a little searching...

Regards,

j

I second Judith's nomination!

Also, Mors Kochanski and Ray Reitze.

John and Geri McPherson, Arthur Haines

Sam Thayer, I adore his foraging books...my very favorites.

I always liked Survivorman because he did his own recording, and was alone, but then...well...all he ever did was whine about making his own recordings and being alone.

I know what he means. I do the same thing when I am on the hunt for mineralization on my farm. If I choose to capture the event with pictures, it takes a ton of extra steps and time, but that is kind of my choice. extra work if I want pictures of the location, and it being quick and easy if I do not. With him, considering he had to show something or he would not have a show, I would have thought he would have been more eager to capture his adventure digitally.

I did like the show "Alone", and live next to the guy who won the second season. I do not know him, but heard he is a great guy, and actually lives as a forager. It was joked that he came home to a place that was worst off than what he had on the show!

Travis Johnson wrote: I did like the show "Alone", and live next to the guy who won the second season. I do not know him, but heard he is a great guy, and actually lives as a forager. It was joked that he came home to a place that was worst off than what he had on the show!

I have to admit that I'm kind of an addict of that show Travis.  I feel slightly bad about it as it's a bit brutal what they cause people to go through, but it is pretty entertaining.

Larry Dean Olsen, author of Outdoor Survival Skills, a classic!