Modern Bushcraft

Master the essential skills of bushcraft with this practical, expert-led guide from survival instructor Tim MacWelch, founder of Advanced Survival Training.

In the wilderness, knowledge is your greatest tool. Whether you're preparing for your first overnight hike, planning an off-grid camping adventure, or simply wanting to feel more confident outdoors, Modern Bushcraft is your go-to outdoor manual with clear, actionable advice for self-reliance in nature.

Inside, you'll find everything you need to get started:

• Safety First: Learn the survival priorities that matter most, from first aid basics and trip planning to signaling for help and avoiding common hazards.
• Knots & Tools: Get hands-on with rope work, essential knots, lashing, and an in-depth guide to using bushcraft knives, axes, saws, and specialty tools.
• Building Your Camp: Discover how to choose the perfect site and build everything from tarp shelters and tents to primitive huts, walls, and hearths.
• Water Sourcing & Safety: Find, disinfect, store, and protect your water supply—and stay clean and healthy in the backcountry.
• Firecraft: Build and manage a fire like a pro, using a range of ignition techniques and fuel types—plus crucial fire safety tips.
• Foraging & Wild Edibles: Safely identify and gather berries, flowers, greens, roots, nuts, and more—while avoiding dangerous plants.
• Campfire Cooking: Explore outdoor cooking techniques, gear, and smart food storage tips, with delicious dishes and pro hacks.
• Navigation: From compass and map basics to celestial navigation and GPS, learn how to find your way—and never get lost again.
• Conservation & Stewardship: Practice sustainable bushcraft with guidance on environmental caretaking, invasive species, and low-impact camping.

Packed with pro tips, myth-busting facts, and true or false knowledge checks, this guide highlights key figures in the world of survival and bushcraft to inspire your journey. Modern Bushcraft puts real wilderness skills right in your hands.

Tim’s love of the outdoors started at a young age, growing up on a farm in the rolling hills of Virginia. Eating wild berries, fishing for trout and learning about the animals of the forest were an everyday part of his country life. This rustic setting built the foundation for the wilderness expertise that he brings to his classes and writing. Tim has been an active practitioner of survival and outdoor skills for over twenty-four years; and he has been actively teaching survival skills for over 20 years.

Tim’s teaching experiences over the years have been rich and diverse. He has worked with Boy Scouts, youth groups, summer camps, as well as adults in all walks of life. Tim has provided outdoor skills training for numerous personnel in Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, all branches of the United States Military, the State Department and other agencies.

Tim and his wilderness school have been on Good Morning America and National Geographic, and featured in several publications including Conde Nast Traveller Magazine and the Washington Post newspaper. Tim’s school was sponsored by Men's Journal and Rolling Stone to teach at Camp Jeep events.

Tim has written articles for Outdoor Life magazine, OFFGRID Magazine, The Virginia Sportsman newspaper, and for several blogs and survival websites. At the beginning of 2011, Tim became the head contributor for the Outdoor Life Survival website, and has since provided them with hundreds of blogs. Tim is currently providing Outdoor Life with several survival photo galleries each month. Tim has written 7 books on survival. including the New York Times Bestsellers Prepare For Anything, Hunting & Gathering Survival Manual, and How To Survive Anything.