March 28, 2024
hunting slingshot

One of the essential things about being an outdoors person, especially if you go out to hunt, is being prepared. You never know when you might require particular tools and weapons to help you hunt or any outdoor activity for that matter.

However, it might be a hassle for you to bring all your tools and weapons every hunting trip you have. It would be best if you learn to build weapons and other items.

It’s also helpful to learn DIY skills and build your survival tools when you’re in an emergency. Knowing how to make the best out of your environment can even spell life or death.

Listed below are a few weapons and other things you can DIY for real hunts:

Bushcraft Slingshot

Lightweight, small, and highly effective, slingshots are one of the best weapons you can DIY when you’re out hunting. Since you are presumably out in the woods and do not have any access to fancy tools, you’re probably going to find in your surroundings or your backpack.

Here are the supplies you need:

  • Y-shaped branch
  • Elastic band
  • String, wire, dental floss, or fastener

First, smooth out the branch to help you grip the slingshot better. Using the string or wire, fasten the elastic band to each of the Y-shaped branch branches securely.

Test the weapon out first with a few rocks so you can feel if its build is sufficient. Adjust the thickness of the elastic band according to your preference. Here is a link to more in-depth and detailed instructions as to how to build your slingshot.

Tinder In A Can

When you’re out alone in the wild, you might find the need to start a fire – for cooking, heat, or defense. However, it might be hard and time-consuming to find some good materials for tinder to help you start your fire.

What you can do is pack your tinder for your trip. All you need is a small sealable can such as a smokeless tobacco can and tinder. Some of the few materials you can store inside the can as tinder are:

  • Petroleum jelly cotton balls
  • Dryer lint
  • Fatwood

These items are small enough to be portable and won’t lose their flammability for a long time. You can use your tinder sparingly or light the whole can if you are in a hurry and need a massive fire.

You can take it to the next step and secure your tin can with duct tape on the outside to help keep the elements out. Then, you can keep it inside a plastic bag to keep it dry – you’ll never know when it’ll rain or when you’ll have to cross a river.

Water Filter System

Another essential for survival in the wild is water. But finding a good source of drinking water can be time-consuming and laborious. If you are ever in a situation where you need to find a good water source for drinking, cleaning your wound, cooking, etc., a water filter system will come in handy.

Water is present anywhere, but so are toxins, microorganisms, sand, and small rocks, making the water undrinkable. Luckily, you can DIY a water filter with a few items:

  • Two large food grade buckets with lids
  • Spigot
  • Four to eight Black Berkey Purification Elements
  • Drill with ½” and ⅛” drill bits

To make your DIY water filter system, you need to, first, wash the buckets thoroughly. Then, drill two or four holes (depending on the number of elements) on to the lid of the first bucket using a ⅜” bit. Then, drill holes on the floor of the second bucket. Make sure that the holes on the first bucket align with the second bucket’s holes.

Next, drill a ½” hole on the bottom part of the first bucket. This drilling is where you’ll install your spigot – placing one washer inside the bucket and one outside.

Inside the Berkey package, there is a small button with a hole. Then, attach the button to the Berkey element. Next, wet the element by turning on the faucet slowly. You can then connect both buckets by slipping the stem through the holes of the second bucket. Finish the water filter by closing the lid securely.

There are several other ways to build your water filter. It would be best if you saw which one is the most useful for you.

Conclusion

Learning how to hunt and survive in the wild is an essential skill any adventurer must go through. One should always prepare for whatever the situation is and know how to scavenge their surroundings and look for useful items.

There are many items you can DIY to help you survive, but you need to start with essentials first. Once you become adept in building these necessary items, you can then move forward to more complicated and advanced things to DIY during hunts and adventurous trips.

SaltLife.com