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Finding Shelter in the Wilderness
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Wilderness Survival Shelter Tips
Because your survival always depends on any number of factors, and can easily change at any given moment, let's take a moment to see how we can address a few shelter-related concerns that are generally specific to the wilderness.
Most every wilderness on the planet is home to a host of potential dangers that the average person is not ready for on any given day.
The Animals
Many animals in the wilderness have dens of some sort.
While it is not always advisable to use these dens as a survival shelter, there may be other smaller dens that they may have outgrown that could be used in a rare situation.
Also, knowing the signs of animals in your area will help to determine exactly what level of protection you might need in a shelter.
If you are overrun by squirrels it might not be a problem, but if you know that there are bears in mating season or hungry mountain lions nearby, you might build a better shelter.
The Fauna
Many time you are building a shelter, especially a smaller A-frame or even as bedding, you are going to begin grabbing soft plants as material.
Well, let's not take those types of plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, or others that can become quite a problem should you decide to sleep on it overnight.
Watch for widow-makers - These are large branches or whole trees that are dead and waiting to fall on your head. Always look up before you start building a shelter for the night.
The Creepy Crawlies
In some wilderness areas you may come across the favorite of most people, those things that go bump in the night.
In this case, the creep-crawlies often include rodents, spiders, snakes, and even skunks.
These can be poisonous in some locations, so make sure when you are collecting brush or sticks to build your hut with that you check for and shake out anything that you likely don't want squirming around in your bed at night.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Black Bears
Black bears are one of the most aggressive bears and are quite common in North American woodlands.
If you’re interacting with a black bear, talk loudly (but not aggressively) while waving your arms or opening up your jacket to make yourself appear larger.
If you’re with others, stand side by side to make yourselves appear as large as possible.
Move away slowly, but NEVER turn your back to the bear.
Most importantly, don’t run away as this can cause the bear to attack.
Keeping Warm In Survival Shelters
The likelihood that you have access to staying warm greatly increases when you are stuck in the wilderness as compared to many other environments, because of the increased potential for fuel sources.
Wood does burn, but you are going to have to have a few things first, such as Dry wood.
If you have ever tried to burn "wet" or "green" wood then you already know this is extremely tedious.
You will also need to have a way to start the fire, and let's be honest, rubbing sticks together to start a friction fire is just the overall worst thing you will ever want to do.
I would suggest that you consider finding some form of magnesium, flint, or emergency spark/fire generations device that you carry with you.
Any option that is attached or contained within an everyday Carry knife kit is even better as you will likely always have it on your person.
Wood and small dried plant fibers, as well as cotton balls work excellently as a good starting medium for the sparks to catch fire. The finer and dryer these items can be the better your chances of creating a small fire.
Another great option if you have access to it, is steel wool and a 9-volt battery.
The steel wool is causing a short across the leads of a live 9-volt and will cause the filament to heat up enough to start a fire with your dried fire starter materials.
If you have access to a knife or other metals, you can also test rocks for their ability to spark. While not as effective, any spark can start a fire if done properly.
If push comes to shove and you have to form a friction fire starting device, be prepared for a hard day of work getting it right.
Once you have a fire started, keep it only as big as needed to provide heat and/or cooking. Do not go overboard and set your shelter on fire.
Home is where the heart is, but shelter is where you stay alive, keep safe, and
remain protected from the environment or danger.
remain protected from the environment or danger.
Use Nature In Your Wilderness Shelter
When you find yourself in the wilderness looking for some form of shelter, you have additional options to take into account.
For example, consider the Pine Tree image to the left. Notice the natural canopy being made even by the snow-covered branches.
This makes for a naturally occurring protecting shelter that can provide temporary shelter depending on the overall conditions you find yourself in.
Even in deep snow, you can often dig through the snow to get under that canopy. Many evergreen trees have several feet of space