Bringing the Backwoods to the Back Yard
Being limited to the back yard for your outdoor activities might seem pretty limiting. With the right frame of mind though, it’s not that bad. Sure, you’re not going to hunt big game or fell trees in your back yard. You probably won’t be fishing in the back yard. But there’s a lot of stuff you can do. For example, you can camp in your back yard. Practice woodcraft skills. Heck, teach yourself how to use a bow drill to make a fire.
Need some ideas? Pick up any copy of The Backwoodsman and take a look at the Table of Contents and reader requests. Every month, both are full of ideas that you can practice in your back yard, home, or neighborhood. If you don’t have access to the magazine, here’s a list to get you started. Some are practical, some are fun, some are both. Some might not be legal in your area. If in doubt, check local laws. I’ll keep this updated, so if you don’t see something you like now, check again soon.
Things to do in the back yard or home
- Homestead your house
- Plant a garden
- Landscape to attract wildlife
- Build a bird house or bird feeder
- Learn to trap birds and rabbits
- Build a
large emergency water store“water feature” - Build a rain water collection system
- Make a fire pit
- Practice your fire making skills
- Learn how to cook over an open fire
- Learn how to cook with a Dutch oven
- Make a pellet trap
- Target practice with an air rifle
- Build a black powder rifle or pistol
- Sign your kid up for a Hunter Safety Course
- Build a knife from a kit
- Build a small forge and learn how to make your own blades
- Learn how to make fishing lures or tie fishing flies
- Go to the park and practice fly casting
- Collect old hand tools and learn how to repair/restore them
- Build a smoker and start smoking meat
- Buy or build a food dehydrator
- Start a compost pile
- Go camping in your backyard
- Build a shelter from a tarp
- Set up a base camp in your backyard
- Learn to read maps and compass
- Put together a survival kit
- Put together a get home bag
- Make a “get home” plan and put together a get home bag
- Go on a walk about, see how far you can REALLY walk in a day
- Buy Forging the Hero by John Mosby and read about building resilient communities
- After reading the above book, go out and meet some of your neighbors
- Get involved in 4-H. If you have kids, get them involved too