Category Archive: survival

Ice Bath Nightmare

icebath2

Spring is on the horizon so today we went to the house to check the water situation. We switched off the mains supply over a month ago, before the temperature plummeted to minus 20, and we left the taps open. Unfortunately, the tap in the bath was dripping, although we have no idea why. Fast […]

Bushcraft Magazine Winter 2017/108 issue

Bushcraft Magazine UK Winter 2017 2018-p01

This issue features one of my true horror stories from the forest – White Out – plus my photo of wolf tracks in the snow is on the cover. Order yourself a copy or sign up for a subscription here – The Bushcraft Magazine. Bushcraft Magazine is suited for both beginners and experts and covers […]

Harsh temperatures inbound

village church in snow

I really thought we’d get away with a mild winter this year and thus didn’t bother switching off my water. After seeing this week’s forecast, with temperatures dropping below minus 20, we headed out to the house to switch everything off and drain the pipes. It never saves everything – there’s always the odd tap […]

Tracking wolves over New Year

snowcabin

We spent the Christmas/New Year holidays at the house. When we arrived the inside temperature was 3 degrees Centigrade but slowly, and with a great deal of wood burning, we managed to get it up to a livable temperature. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the extreme winter like we did last year- we only had snow […]

Bushcraft Magazine Autumn 2017 – Biker Bushcraft!

edward o'toole bushcraft magazine cover

This issue of The Bushcraft Magazine is a particularly special one for me. Not only does it feature my latest true horror story from the woods (The Beast Beyond The Door), but it also has my latest article – Biker Bushcraft (a crossover between two activities I’m very passionate about, both of which go very […]

When the fox sits with deer

reddeerfox

This photo carries such enormous weight and induces a realization which could easily be dismissed as anthropomorphisation. But it isn’t. They’re wild animals. However, the event surrounding the photograph kept me awake all night thinking about it with a deep sadness and an attempt at understanding. We’d been on our evening walk when we encountered […]

Red Deer Stag Rut

stagfield

It’s that time of year again when the valley in which my house is located resounds with the baying of rutting stags, day and night. This year there are quite a few of them. It’s amazing to be in the middle of a challenge and to watch these giant beasts screaming at each other. One […]

An Almost Perfect Summer’s Day

edwardotooleshooting

Yesterday was one of those days that really makes me appreciate my lifestyle choices. It was scorching hot, about 35 degrees Centigrade, and I’m in my country house. I spent the morning doing some finishing work on one of my hide paintings I’m currently working on, then moved into the garden to saw, sand and […]

Raccoon Dogs (finally!), with video

raccoondogs

Well, they’ve been on my bucket list ever since I learned of their existence in my area but last night was the first time I’ve ever seen them in the flesh. Raccoon Dogs (or Psík medvedíkovitý, as they’re known in Slovakia), possibly the most primitive form of canid on the planet, are an ‘invasive species’ […]

All creatures great and small

stormsunset

Summer is finally here and with it comes a selection of animals that we don’t see at other times of the year. Sadly, even after a horrifically long and cold winter, we’ve only had a few hot days thus far. Hopefully, the weather will pick up at some point. Probably the most noticeable summer visitor […]

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