Foraging Equipment

8/3/2019 Foraging Equipment

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Foraging EquipmentRich Raspy Shawver

Let us define a couple of terms. Foraging to me means going out and acquiring food from the wild by

whatever technique is available. Trapping is not only the use of traps and snares to gather game but also

fishing. Fishing what in the world are you talking about. Not hook and line sport fishing. Things like theharvesting of a resource using trotlines, set poles and fish weirs or traps.

When it comes to hunting versus trapping. The trapper is going to eat better and more regularly than the

hunter does. Why you might ask? I have a question to ask right back at you. How many times have yougone out and spent hours or even days on a stand or tramping through the woods and come up empty

handed? True because there was no pressure to feed your family you passed up iffy shots or wanted

something bigger and better. Oh, oh I know you are the mighty hunter that gets the trophy buck 10 minutes

into the season. You know that one you dropped with one shot at 500 yards while it was at a dead run.

Yeah, right. Lets get out the hip waders the Barbara Strisand is getting real deep.

When hunting the take will generally be a large quantity that has to be dealt with quickly brought in on

occasion. While trapping will generally supply smaller amounts at any one time but a much steadier stream.There are far more small game animals than the big ones. This will be even more critical if everyone has

taken to the woods with the expectation hunting to supply their needs. The increased pressure of this overhunting will reduce game density and population. It will also change movement patterns in both timing and

location. So for the time spent in the activity trapping will provide a greater return in food than hunting.

The advantage that traps have is that they work 24/7/365+. You dont have to be there for them to work.

You only come along to collect the rewards of their work. In hunting you have to be present in person for it

to work. True you will have to devote an amount of time to running your trap line. But it is far less than that

for the same volume of food when compared to hunting. Additionally the time spent running the line can be

spent in profitable pursuits. Trap lines are generally set up in a rough loop. This way you start at one endand ended up back in the same area you started in. This reduces the time, energy required and distance

traveled getting back to home base. Also there is no rule that says you have to set out only one loop.

Multiple loops in different directions can cover a larger territory. While the traps are in relatively fixed

positions they can be moved to better spots anytime you feel the need. The route traveled when checking

the line has the same general travel pattern. You are not locked into a fixed path. By varying the path say afew yards this way or that you can over time cover large areas of the countryside. By running the line

backwards from time to time will give you a different view and prospective of the same terrain. Almost like

traveling completely new land. This is also a security consideration. Traveling an exact fixed route willleave paths that can be followed. It will also provide more opportunities for those that only have the skills

to take from others to plan an ambush. There are no rules saying that you cannot carry a gun or bow along

and engage in a little hunting or foraging for edible plants while checking your traps. You dont travel

around with your head down oblivious to the world until you reach each trap.

Yes, someone that is out on a hunting expedition can be observant of his surroundings also. He can forage

edibles or mark their location for future reference. But his primary attention will be looking for game or

game sign not other things. This difference in focus may cause him to miss some of the more obscurepossibilities. It comes down to a matter of perspective. Sure he will notice that big berry patch or stand of

cattails but would probably over look those scattered herbs in the undergrowth because his attention isfixed on another goal. If his attention is upon gathering, the hunt could very well be a failure. Also because

of the more general wandering nature of some hunts you may not be able find that treasure trove of plants

again or at least not without a great deal of intensive searching. Whereas a trapper is covering a distance

from trap to trap not looking for something specific he can and should have a broader field of focus. A

trapper would also have to be blessed with almost divine idiocy to pass up targets of opportunity that he

stumbles across in his treks.

When laying out the trap line there are some considerations to be taken into account. While Im no expertand there are people that would be better to get more in depth information from. Here are a few things I


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have picked up along the way. 1 or 2 traps just arent worth the effort. Generally you average 1 in 6 or 1 in

8 catches per trap set. I have heard figures of even 1 in 12 where game is relatively scarce. If there is

increased pressure on the game population such as everybody and his brother trying to live off the land

after a major disaster this could go much higher. So what you must do is set out as many traps as practical.

The more traps you put out the better your odds of having a consistent and adequate harvest. One rabbit isnot going to feed a dozen people so figure an average of 8 traps per person as a minimum to make trapping

worthwhile.

Not all trapping and foraging have to be for immediate use. If you are dealing with a long-term event they

can serve as a more domesticated source of food. ??? Think about it. Rabbits could be live trapped. Brought

back to the homestead, retreat or where you are living. Placed in cages or pens to be bred and raised as

livestock rather than game. These same or similar arrangements could be accomplished with many other

animals.

Do you have a stream handy? What about live trapping some beaver? Bring them in from a remote

location. Release them on your stream and stand back. Remember they do have minds of their own. If

conditions are suitable they will be happy to set up shop and create a pond for you. If things dont meet

their approval they may pack up for greener pastures. Also their choice of construction site may not be

where you think it should be or at a spot that is convenient for your purposes. But you would have pond

you could stock with fish procured in like fashion.

Domestic pigs were once wild bore before some enterprise individual thought to capture and raise them.

Then eventually bred much of the aggressiveness out of them. Looking at one of the current trends, gameranches or hunting farms. They fence off large areas then hand raise trophy quality game animals. Then for

a fee usually an exorbitant amount some big wig gets to shoot it and then brag what a great hunter he is.

Sure it is not very sporting or remotely like hunting. But the same ideas and procedures can be followed

with these large game animals treating them as livestock rather than game.

And what about domestic livestock? I speak of cows, goats, sheep, pigs and chicken or possibly something

somewhat more exotic. In a major disaster there will be strays. Sure some will die locked in barns because

there is no owner to feed them. Others will be slaughtered indiscriminately by the ignorant. Who afterkilling a dozen cows realizes that he can only use part of one before the meat spoils? Some will fall prey to

natural predators and others to the hand of man. Some will have owners both old and some new. But there

will be strays. Nothing says you cant round a few up to improve you lot in life becoming one of the newowners.

Plant life can be treated the same way as animals. In the event that not enough seeds are stored or they are

damaged wild edibles can be substituted. Foraged samples can be brought back and transplanted. Then

instead of foraging you are gardening abet with non-conventional plants. These can also work well in lessthan obvious gardens. [See Gorilla Gardening.]

Tools of the trade.

The Conibear trap is the generally accepted trap of choice. They come in different sizes to match the

category of expected game. Their advantage is they will last for years of use with proper care. Their biggest

disadvantage is that their weight adds up very quickly. If you have to travel on foot it would be nearly

impossible to carry enough to make a real difference. In a vehicle, cashe or retreat, you can have enough tolay a decent trap line.

Snares. These can be pre-made commercial models to a length of wire in a survival kit. They can even be

fashioned from natural materials. Their advantage is a comparatively lightweight. This makes them the

preferred choice in a short-term backpack situation. Their major disadvantage is that most are only usable

on a one-time basis. Normally the struggle of a captured animal damages a snare. While in some cases a

good quality snare may be reusable for a second capture most are not. That is why traps are a better choice

for a long-term situation.


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There is always the choice of using primitive traps and snares constructed from native material. Such traps

are covered in depth in nearly every wilderness survival book and all over the web. From the figure 4

trigger to various pits, deadfalls, twitch ups and path guards. The advantage is that with this knowledge

you need not carry any equipment only the knowledge of how. In a long-term situation this may be your

only choice as manufactured gear wears out.

Live traps are also an option. The biggest draw for these is the captured animal remains alive until neededso the meat needs no method of preservation. This can lead to acquisition of livestock as mentioned above.

These traps can be fancy manufactured models to simple homemade box traps. The game that can be

captured by such traps is only limited by the size and strength of the structure you are willing to build. Yes

you can catch deer, elk, moose, horses and even bears. Most fishing traps are forms of live trap.

When it comes to fishing forget hook and line or fly-fishing, simply forget it. If you are a small group youare going to have so many things to do there wont be enough time for leisurely sitting along a stream. Yes,

as a break you might want to go fishing to de-stress from what you are going through but this will be

therapeutic rather than food gathering and far and few between. If in a large group you probably will not

catch a sufficient amount to supply your needs. What you need is a method that will catch fish on its own

while you perform other tasks. Set and then later return and reap the bounty.

Two methods are trotlines and float fishing. Trotlines consist of a heavy line with a series of lighter baited

lines spaced along its length. These can be set in two different ways. The traditional method is a bottom set.The main line is weighted to lay on the bottom and the stringers with the bait floating upward. Then there is

the top set. The main line is anchored to both sides of a stream running at or near the surface or has severalfloats attached to keep it near the surface. The stringers are then weighted to trail in the water. This is very

similar to hook and line fishing except you set it and return later to reel in what has caught itself while you

were gone. Commonly these lines are anchored to green limbs rather than solid anchors. That is so there is

some give to play the fish so they tire out instead of breaking loose.

Float fishing works much the same way but the difference is that they are individual sets and not connected

to each other. A float has a weighted and baited line attached. These are allowed to drift freely to be

collected at some later time. This form is often called jug fishing because plastic jugs are commonly usedas the floats. These are often set to drift with a current or an incoming tide to a selected collection area.

This allows for the fishing sets to cover larger areas. Although it can be used in still waters such as on small

lakes and ponds. You will need a boat or raft to set and retrieve them in this case. It might not be advisableto use this method in swift current conditions as they might travel well beyond the desired removal spot

before you can get there. One field expedient method that I have seen was recommended for shoreline

fishing to take advantage of tidal flows. Take a stick to act as the float. Tie a rock against one end and

attach the line to the other end. This causes the stick to float upright. The bobbing of the stick is what plays

the fish once hooked.

Set poles, Yo-yo reels and green limb sets are all fixed single lines. The green limb set works because when

a fish strikes the line tied to the limb. The resultant recoil of the limb hopefully sets the hook. Set poles

work essentially the same way using the flexibility of the anchored rod. The yo-yo is a spring-loaded reel

that trips when the fish strikes. While it is not normally strong enough to pull the fish out of the water it sets

the hook more reliably. These reels can be suspended from anything over the water. As these are single sets

the idea is to set several to improve your chances. Along the same vein as multiple sets when trapping.

Fishing traps or weirs come in two forms. Either fixed location or mobile. Fixed traps are for territory you

control and the mobile ones are for areas outside your influence. Both can be constructed in primitivefashion from native materials or from the modern equivalent equipment if you have it available.

The fixed location design is like what is seen in most survival manuals as a field expedient fish trap. A

series of stakes, taller than the stream depth, are driven into the streambed forming an open-ended box or

corral facing downstream. The spacing of the stakes determines the fish size it will retain. A second set of

stakes are placed to form an opened bottomed V with the point leading into the box and closing the bottom.

This acts as a funnel to channel fish swimming up stream into the blocked off area. There is something


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about fish that cannot seem to find the opening once they are inside. Maybe the occasional one will hit it by

accident but very few. You will want to have some space between the poles. Because you are not building a

dam and a constant flow of water through the pen is necessary to keep the fish healthy until harvested. The

numbers of poles needed to build the weir can be greatly reduced. The corner poles can be placed then the

open areas filled in with some form of fencing. For long term use metal fencing can be used but willeventually rust out. Any form of netting can also be used. One item seems to be ideal though. That is the

plastic fencing often seen at construction sites as crowd barriers. Yes that orange plastic stuff. It will lastpractically forever in the water. There is even archeological evidence that ancient people constructed such

weirs. Although the ones that lasted to be seen today were made of stone. Again not a dam you want some

water to flow through. Giving another method of construction. Of course you will need some way to collect

the captured fish. But it will be much easier because they are in a confined space.

Mobile traps are based on the same principles. Generally the traps are constructed as cylinders. As this is amore efficient shape thus requiring less material for the same size trap. They are normally several feet long

and a couple feet in diameter. Instead of a V the downstream end is shaped into a cone. Frequently a door

is placed in the side for the ease of removing the fish. A field expedient trap can be made from sticks tied

together to form the basket. A shop built unit is often made from wire mesh or fencing as it will hold the

shape of the trap on its own. Something such as plastic fencing would require some sort of frame to hold

its shape. Using flexible material could allow the trap to be collapsible for ease of transportation. These

can be carried on scouting expeditions to be place in streams near base camps. To be easily moved as the

camp is moved. To use they are anchored in the stream with the opening downstream.

The next class of tools are nets. For fishing there are seine, gill, dip and cast nets. In general different netsare used in different ways. The use the net is to be to determines the overall size, strength and mesh size of

the individual net. The mesh size determines the size of the fish that will be caught. Smaller fish will be

able to escape through larger openings.

Seine nets are designed to be dragged through the water scooping up fish they encounter. Then they are

either dragged onto shore or into a boat with their catch. The larger the net the greater the area they sweep

but the more work and force they require to be operated. These are the general types of nets commercial

fishermen use. These tend to be the largest of nets.

Gill nets are normally stretched across a stream with weights along the bottom and floats along the top for a

period of time. They function by becoming entangled in the gills of the appropriate sized fish. Normally thenet is checked by hauling it in once a day sometimes more frequently. These are good for a mid sized kit.

They are usually lightweight and compact down to a small convenient size for packing.

Dip nets are used to scoop up and support the weight of fish caught by some other means. This is the kind

of net most sport fishermen use to retrieve fish that if lifted out of the water by the line alone would likelybreak the line. These could also be used to scoop fish out of fishing traps.

Cast nets are often circular nets 8 to 12 feet in diameter. They are weighted around the edge and have a line

that is attached to a fixed object or the operator for closing and retrieving the net. To use the net is tossed or

cast so that it flares out to its full circle to land relatively flat on the water. The weights determine how fast

the net sinks through the water. Hopefully snagging a few fish along the way. At the right depth the

retrieval cord is hauled in. First the line pulls the edges of the net together like a big drawstring purse

forming a big bag. Then it brings it in with some fish inside as the desired result.

There is another kind of net that is and isnt really a net. That is the sweep net. Actually a broom willperform the same job possibly even better. The idea is to literally and rapidly sweep the shallows of the

water onto shore. The idea is that small fish and other small aquatic creatures are tossed up onto the shore

where they can be collected. One design that I have seen was a branch frame covered with a Tshirt. It was

also suggested that leafy branches could also be used. Because the catch would be rather small it might

work as a meal for an individual. These small fry, minnows and others could be used as bait for more

conventional fishing methods. It should be considered as a method of acquiring bait. Saving the entrails

when fish are cleaned can be another source of bait.


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Another net that can be useful more in the short term rather than long term is the bug net. Yes that net

everyone was exposed to in high school to catch butterflies for science class. A fine mesh lightweight bag

mounted on a frame. In an emergency kit the frame can be omitted to save weight and bulk. The frame can

be constructed of native material when needed. A bent green limb can easily be fashioned into a loop with ahandle. The way it is used is somewhat different than specimen collection. Instead of individual targets,

which would be a wasteful expenditure of energy for the food value gained, the idea is for mass collection.The optimum method is to walk through a field rapidly sweeping the net back and forth just at the surface

of the vegetation in the field. When done correctly you should clip the occasional bits of plants into the net.

Doing this should stir up any insects in along the path and net numerous insects. While the thought of

eating bugs is not the most pleasant prospect they are high in protein.

On one of the site there were questions about hunting with nets. While there might be a few specific caseswhere it can be possible to use a net for live capture but that would be rare. Some books say you can string

a gill net between trees near where birds are ground feeding. You then flush the birds toward the net.

Hopefully some will fly into it and become entangled. Seems a tad bit iffy to me. A net could be used to

block a narrow passage but would be unlikely to entangle animals. Most animals would shy away from

people trying to get close enough to toss a net over them and shy from the net flying through the air. I

suspect the question was based on one of two things. Either watching the original Planets of the Apes

where they used them to capture humans or other Hollyweird hokum where the intrepid hero is snatched up

in a counterweighted net spread on the ground. Both are too elaborate to be truly effective. The ground netwould be extremely difficult to conceal. Sure the net could be covered with common ground clutter but the

lines that pick it up might be easy to hide of camera they would be hard to do so in real life. It wouldrequire vast amount of netting to cover enough area to be effective with driven animals. Even then most of

the animals would realize that the way is blocked and seek other avenues of escape. It probably would not

be cost effective in time and effort for the return.

The closest historical reference to this would be something that was practiced in England back in the olden

days when knights were bold. Large stretches of netting or more likely cloth were set up in a huge V. The

object was not to capture the animals but to funnel them to the apex where the nobility were waiting with

weapons to slaughter them. The local peasantry was used to form a line to drive the game into thisenclosure and toward those waiting there. Frequently the ladies of the court would be stationed behind this

barrier and engage in hawking of any small game that got through or any birds flushed over head.

While this was viewed as Sport by those that were participating it actually served several vital functions

in the economy of the times. It served to some extent to blood the younger members. The sport getting

them use to the sights, sounds and smells that they would be expected to encounter in combat against men

in the incessant wars of the time.

The most practical aspect of this hunt was a harvest of natural resources. This game was not let to rot and

go to waste. While some of the best parts were converted to a hunt day feast most of the animals were

processed and stored as food against the winters or the sieges of the castle. And it took huge amounts of

food to feed the numbers of people of their entourages. While the Lords garnered the lions share of the

proceeds and assuredly the best portions. The remaining amounts would be quickly gathered up and

divided amongst the peasants that were used in the work. And the wise lord left sufficient meat as payment

for their part in the hunt. As the peasants were not allowed to hunt The Kings Deer it was an equitable

method to ensure that the surfs had food for the winter also. So while at first glance this would appear assomething cruel and thoughtless was necessary part of life in that society. And large groups could use

similar techniques to harvest game. Modern hunters use the drive techniques in hunting today. Just it wasnot as up close and personal.

Then there is the harvesting of plants. When gathering bags and baskets will be needed to hold this edible

treasure to get it back home. Frequently these will be stowed in a backpack for convenience of carrying.

But then there is also he option of harvesting the entire plat or cuttings from plants to establish them as a

garden. First they will need to be loosely packed so that they arrive in prime condition and to lessen the

shock of being transplanted. It would be a total waste of effort to make the move only to have them die.


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Muzzleloading Rifle or to be more specific a flintlock with ranges up about 400 yards. Its a pretty

impressive feat for such an old piece of technology. Any group that has some skills in iron working should

with some trial and error be able to make new ones. While it is not the safest thing in the world black

powder can be had has been made at a kitchen chemistry level. The flintlock is specified because while flint

is the preferred ignition source there are many other rocks that can serve this function. Also while somewill say how dangerous it is to make BP it is an entirely new class of danger thinking about making

percussion caps. Regardless of how many are stored against the future they will eventually run out. Finallyany lead that is scavenged can be molded into bullets.

The modern rifle is the top of the line weapon that is until someone comes up with a Buck Rogers space

gun. While some weapons based on old time design are made to use black powder most need the more

modern smokeless powder. This is much more complicated to make and is generally beyond low-tech

methods. And the primers are even worse that those for muzzleloaders percussion caps. And it is my beliefthat they should be reserved for defensive purposes.

Shotguns are to some extent much the same as rifles. Except at more limited ranges.

Pistols can be used as a hunting weapon in the direst of emergencies. But they are not really practical as

they lack power and effective range.

Then there are assorted primitive handheld and throwing weapons. Most because of their simple nature canbe easily crafted on the spot with native material. About the only one that would be pre-made and carried

on a regular basis would be the spear. That is because it can serve several multiple functions. Beyond itsuse as a weapon is as a hiking staff. Or in many cases converting a staff into a spear at need. The simplest is

a sharpened and fire hardened point then on up to a dedicated steelhead. While a spear can be thrown there

is a possible the chance of it being lost. The best use of a spear is as a set weapon to be place to accept a

charge from an animal such as a wild boar or as a long reach knife to administer a coup de grace.

Personally if I would have to deal with a wounded and thrashing animal Id rather reach in with a blade on

the end of a 6-foot stick instead of diving in knife in hand.

Hopefully these techniques should enable you to put a few extra groceries on the table.

Foraging Equipment

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