The Backwoodsman: Bushcraft: Everyday Skills for the Outdoors

Master essential bushcraft skills, build traditional tools, and embrace self-reliance with several of The Backwoodsman magazine's timeless articles.

As a child, Charlie Richie Jr. watched his father build bows and arrows, canoes, and various types of trappings--and fall in love with the Old Ways of Living. In 1979, Charlie Sr. was inspired to create The Backwoodsman magazine, with a mission to preserve and share timeless outdoor skills that will forever be relevant.

In The Backwoodsman: Bushcraft, Charlie Jr. collects 50 of the magazine's best bushcraft-related articles, written by seasoned craftspeople. The selections often feature how-to plans and instructions--complete with illustrations--and they focus on creating tools, clothing, and equipment with only natural materials, plus some that reuse existing materials.

A testament to human ingenuity and the enduring importance of traditional craftsmanship in an increasingly technological world, this book ensures that critical survival techniques and "the art of making" remain accessible to future generations. It offers personal empowerment, creativity, and deep environmental engagement.

If you're an avid outdoorsperson who might find yourself in an overnight survival situation, this is an essential book. If you've always been interested in how Indigenous peoples constructed everyday items or if you can't walk through the woods without seeing every stick as a tool, a trap, or tinder, you'll love this rugged collection of bushcraft articles for beginners and hands-on adventurers.

Inside you'll find:

• 50 of The Backwoodsman magazine's best bushcraft-related articles


• Instructions for creating hunting tools, watercraft, clothing, and more


• Technical illustrations that aid in understanding each step-by-step process

Charlie Richie Jr. is the owner and editor of The Backwoodsman. He was only 9 years old when his parents started the publication in 1979, so it's been a huge part of his life. Charlie officially started working for The Backwoodsman in 1995 and has served many roles, including associate publisher, special assignments editor, head of media relations, and advertising director. He has written numerous articles and feature interviews for the magazine. Charlie took over The Backwoodsman in January 2022. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he has also been a freelance outdoor TV producer for the past 15 years.