Life Without The Weather Channel

If you are stuck in the woods a very important thing to notice is the signs of weather changes. The last thing you want to have happen is to be caught in a sudden rain storm without having any form of shelter. If it is cold soaking your clothes only makes things that much worse especially if you don't have a fire already started.

First thing you need pay attention to is the force and directions of the winds. If it is windy and dry, most likely it will continue to be so until the wind losses force or changing directions. These are the times when you could receive a bit of rain.

Remember, if you are stuck in the woods it is also just as important to trap rainwater to drink if you do not know of any clean water sources around you. You can use plants or even your clothing to collect water. Just ring the water out of your clothes once they are soaked. You can also use this trick in the mornings. Simply tie your shirt around your ankles and walk through dewy plants and ring out the trapped water.

If is is foggy this doesn't necessarily mean it is going to rain. A lot of times only once the wind picks up it will begin to rain. You can also watch the clouds for a cue on which way the weather may turn. Generally, the higher the clouds the better the weather, but you can also learn the different types of clouds to predict even more accurately.

The wildlife around you can also tell you a bit about what type of weather is headed your way. Squirrels and rabbits will be very active right before a storm. Birds will also feed in lower locations then normal when a storm is approaching.

Yet another indicator is your fire smoke. If it is going straight up the weather should be fine, but if the smoke is swirling or pushing downward, most likely a storm is near. Of course, if all else fails try and remember the old saying, "Red Sky At Night, Sailors Delight, Red Sky In The Morning, Sailors Take Warning..."

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Hiking Survival Tips & Techniques : How to Build a Camp Fire

Learn how to build a good camp fire, in this free hiking video lesson.

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How To Catch An Animal In The Wild

When you are stuck in the woods one of the most important things is finding a food source. While roots, berries, and insect work sometimes, a good animal catch can mean the difference between life and death.

The first thing you need to realize is that (like some humans) animals are creatures of habit, and they usually can be found in one of these three places. The food source were animals eat, the water source were they quench their thirst, or their home were they rest. Always look for tracks, droppings or beaten down paths that would indicate that an animal has been through the area. These are the places were you want to set your traps.


Remember, always try and be down wind from any of your prey as your scent can give away your presence. Also, make sure you tread lightly, don't scare away a potential meal. This will not be an easy task, but in the wild nothing is easy.  You can check out more in the videos below...




Once you are successful, and manage to trap a creature make sure to cook it throughly if at all possible. Another tip is to not waste your cooking fire, always be boiling some water for your next day of survival.

Don't forget man did once have to hunt for it's food...

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Dangers to Avoid in the Desert

Heres some helpful hints for surviving if your ever in the desert.

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Making traps for small animals

How to catch rabbits and other animals in a survival situation. No animals were harmed in the making of this instructional video.

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Survival Kit

It's great to go outdoors and get away from it all. I do it every chance I get, both in Missouri and on vacation outside the state. No one ever expects trouble on an outdoor outing...and hopefully it won=t ever happen. But even on a day trip, a sudden storm or unexpected injury in your group can leave you a long way from help. A survival kit can mean the difference between trouble you can manage, and disaster. Here's what you'll need: A first aid kit...a pocketknife or quality hunting knife with a sharpening stone...a compass and map of the area you're traveling... varnish-coated strike-anywhere stick matches in a screw top plastic waterproof container...a candle that's at least 6" tall and 3/4 of an inch wide...fire start tablets...a collapsible soft plastic water bottle...20-feet of nylon cord...a small bottle of water purification tablets...an air-force-type signal mirror...a plastic police-type whistle...one millimeter thick clear plastic sheeting...a space blanket...a penlight flashlight with spare batteries...and finally, something for energy: like jerky, hard candy or granola bars. The entire pack only adds about two pounds to your pack or canoe, without lightening your wallet much. A survival kit is like car insurance. Hopefully you'll never need to use it, but in an emergency, you'll be glad it's there.

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Survival: How To Start A Fire With A Lighter That Doesnt Work

Don't throw away that busted lighter ,as long as it can give you a spark ,you'll have fire..check this out very easy also.
Survival: How To Start A Fire With A Lighter That Doesnt Work - These bloopers are hilarious

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