Lesson

Foraging for Food

Once again, how effectively you’re able to practice this particular survival skill will be dictated by what you can and cannot do on the campsite. Be sure to check in advance so you know whether any food may have foraged on the property (availability as well as permission).

But even if you’re not able to forage for food while camping, you can still practice a fundamental related skill:

identifying edible flora.

Some edible plants won’t only provide sustenance, but might also have medicinal properties when used correctly.

Spending some time studying the edible flora found in your area and anywhere you’re likely visit is well worth the effort, as foraging can and will significantly supplement any food stores you have at hand.

Earlier, we mentioned keeping a ferro rod and water disinfection tablets in your everyday survival kit. It’s a good idea to add some light, but nutrient-rich survival foods to the list.

Similar to preserving emergency store foods, you should keep an eye on the shelf-life of your edible supplies.

Swapping out cans so you use the older stuff first while at home is always a good idea. And of course, you should do the same when packing food for your camping trip!

This rotating stock ensures you won’t be stuck with a stockpile of expired foods when SHTF. And in the case of survival foods – like MREs – bringing them along while camping allows you to get used to the taste of items you don’t usually include in your diet.

Moving back to the topic foraging: your everyday survival kit should ideally include a reference book of edible flora. This way, it’s always at hand and you won’t be “cheating” by bringing it along while camping.

Additionally, it’s crucial to pay very close attention to the plants you identify as edible, whether you’re able to actively forage or are forced to stick to pointing them out. Almost all (if not all) edible plants have an inedible and even poisonous look-alike. Making a mistake while foraging can end up being fatal.