I grew up in the woods in Wisconsin and never could articulate this idea to others as well as you have -- thanks Tristan and Kenton for sharing. I've found that minimizing disturbance is the only way to dramatically increase my circle of perception. Sitting still in the woods for even just a few minutes has many rewards, as birds and animals will fill in the void that is created when we are moving and disturbing the forest. Often, sound is the primary perception available in the woods; to me one of the most amazing examples of this is hearing the sound of sprouting plants pushing aside fallen leaves in the spring.
Some advise on this concept that will make a big difference in perception, in the woods sit down and close your eyes for about a minute and just listen, after you get your hearing spend about 5 minutes just following the things you hear with your eyes, if they make a sound you will see them. Smells can be achieved but take several days of nothing but woods time, and sometimes your own smell will mask nature's. Lastly when you sit in the woods keep your face in the wind, things are more likely to be seen if they can't smell you.
A few nights ago I went to the woods alone and spent the night in a shelter I built. When I walked in there, started collecting branches, making fire and prepping my kit I heard birds chirping really loudly, almost screaming. I thought that it's surprising how loud animals are. But then, after about 2 hours of sitting completely silent in my camp I heard that in almost an instant they all switched to more calm mating songs. The silence and sounds of nature, that calm serenity felt so sacred to me that I had to take of my heavy boots and naturally started to sneak out for firewood as opposed to trod around snapping branches. Soon enough, after 2 more hours I had a close encounter with a doe, and a fox. It was amazing, and it was one of the moments I had the biggest ever appreciation for nature so far.
Beautiful. You were "blending", so that the animals no longer saw you as a threat. Most of us humans have very distinctive ways of moving and sounding -- once we break those patterns and quiet down, so much is waiting for us! =) Kenton
I just wanted to say thank you for your videos. I've been extremely stressed and pressured by school for the last 4-5 years; but when I last year first discovered your videos, that stress has been slowly but surely decreasing. I've realized some things that are important to me in life and the fact that I don't have to work until i collapse at an office in the city for the rest of my life filled with stress and angst has given me a lot of hope :) so thanks! (oh, and sorry if my English is terrible ;))
+Linnea Pea Your English is great, Linnea! I can very much relate -- school was almost like torture for me. Not only was it uninspiring and high-pressure, but I was a skinny, short, red-haired kid -- perfect for picking on. I just didn't see why I should be suffering through school just to get good grades so I could get a "good" job that I didn't want. It means a lot to hear that you're finding value in these videos. It's my greatest hope that they can help a few people to choose their dreams and passions -- to really give their gifts to the world -- instead of just settling for a life path that doesn't bring out their best. I can only imagine what you will do in this lifetime -- but I imagine it will not only be fulfilling for you, but will make this world a more compassionate, loving, and beautiful place. Thanks for writing! =) Kenton
Now add awareness of wind direction and you can predict where you will and won't spot an animal. 😅 EXCELLENT VIDEO ! You sir are a blessing to nature. Thank you.
fantastic video on perception, i remember when i was younger i always tried to treat the woods with respect. I kept my presence small but my awareness wide. I remember walking through the woods quietly when i got to a stream i liked to meditate by, i was always weary of coyotes and bears in the area. this time i got about 50feet from the stream when a albino wolf stepped out (long narrow snout thick white fur and 2x the size of a normal dog. I immediately stopped moving the wolf saw me took a drink and disappeared, i immediately walked backwards while retracing my steps a few paces be fore high tailing it as swift and quit as i could out of there. I did always carry a sword when i went in the woods, but there was no way i was fighting that thing lol it was up to my elbows probably could have road that thing into battle >.>
What an amazing encounter! Something to remember and treasure forever. And how cool that you carried a sword in the woods. I often do as well, even these days! =)
I experienced an encounter with a raccoon while fishing one day. He had his head down and was walking right towards me. I then made the "animal calling noise people do with cats and dogs lol" He lifted his head and his eyes expanded. He was startled to see a human deep in the woods I thought to me self. I think silence is key. Most animals near neighborhoods are use to the smell of humans it's sounds they use mostly to detect predators. Learning the sounds of nature will help expand you awareness as well. Great topic of discussion. I would love to attend one of your classes. Take care. -Eric
I've always called it sneaking up on nature. The slow deliberate quiet stalking that I do. At these times my senses are turned all the way up.... tuned all the way in. Oddly, this is going to sound strange, it's like my sinuses open up causing me to hear better, smell things better, my eyes can easily pick up movement well on my periphery. Every foot placement thought out and advance pathway reckoned before proceeding. It's such an altered state from my normal composure. Some of my favorite sightings have been something as simple as looking down into the creek and seeing a crawfish making his way from one rock to another. Hearing the shrill panic chirp of a chipmunk and discovering a stalking cat. seeing a hawk after a squirrel within feet of me, adult turkeys making their way through the woods with what looked like 20 chicks around, a Peregrine Falcon teetering atop the back of a chipmunk patiently waiting for his crushing talons do their work. I'm always most interested in peeking in on and finding warm blooded animals. When there's no squirrels, birds, or cattle on yonder hill to peek in on, there's still insects... rolling over rocks, cocoons, left behind exoskeletons. I could tell you how bad my hearing is but, strangely, I can still hear a squirrels nails digging into the backside of a tree 50 feet away as he tries to hide from me, I can hear him somewhere in the canopy gnawing through a hickory nut, or the pitter patter of acorn shells falling through the branches as he nibbles. Yes, I love me some nature!!!
+David West What awesome stories of things you have witnessed! "Sneaking up on nature" -- great! I think all those animals somehow know . . . and when we slow down and become deliberate, as you speak of, we're almost like a non-human creature to them. I also appreciated how you spoke of the "small things" -- the squirrel's nails, the crawfish . . . to me, those are often the most exciting and delightful of encounters. Your love of nature comes through so strongly -- inspiring! =) Kenton
Hi sir, great video. I think this is one of the best channels for adventurers. Me and my father are traveling a lot in nature (we are cave and mine explorers) and we always going deep in nature where animals can be dangerous to us. We learned that the best way to protect ourselves (especially if the forest is dense)is to announce our presence by talking loudly and sometimes clapping hands, in this way bears and wild boars will not be taken by surprise and they will have time to retreat of our way. The bad part of this is that when we actually WANT to see animals we never see them because we are used to make noise even when we think we are pretty quiet. Seeing this video I realized why last week when I was traveling alone, I was very very aware of my surroundings and I didn't talked or make any noise, I spotted 5 fox puppies playing, moving very slowly and with patience I could get very close to them (about 2 meters) and take great pictures. Expanding the circle of perception and decreasing the circle of disturbance is really the key to great close encounters, thank you!
So glad this could be useful to some real adventurers like yourselves! I am VERY attracted to caves, but don't really get a chance to explore any, and I've never been in anything close to what you've explored. That must be so exciting! =) Kenton
+Jasonscreative Adventures Indeed! It's amazing, sometimes, to go out into the woods, and you can spot humans even if they are very far away because of how noisy they are. =) Kenton
Great lesson Kenton. This morning I was threading myself through the woods, looking for a piece of birch to make a kuksa. Once I found a nice piece of live windfall, I sat down and just spent the next hour getting lost.It was a grey day, -2C and getting ready to flurry. I was watching the resident Ravens playing tag in the Jack Pines and the forest echoed with their throaty groats. You could even feel the sound waves of their feathers rippling in the wind as they wove through the limbs overheadOne of my favourite exercises is to use my splatter vision. As I was watching the Ravens, I noticed in the bottom of my peripheral, something sneaking towards me through the deadfalls and grass. I focused my attention there and was rewarded to catch a glimpse of Weasel in full snow coat.It darted along the logs and through the brush, heading straight for me. It must have been so busy in search of food that when it was about 5 ft away, I let out a little pish to warn that it was about to run up my pant leg. It flipped a complete somersault then just stood there looking at me side ways. I couldn't stop giggling at how perplexed it was that I "snuck up" on it. We looked at each other pishing back and forth for a few seconds until it went back to doing what had made it so oblivious to my being there.Being part of Nature is a most uplifting feeling.
+scout N about bushcraft I felt like I was there for you -- for me, your captured that particular feeling when you almost lose yourself in the connection with nature, embraced in the sounds, the sights, and the feelings. Would loved to have been there to see Weasel! =) Kenton
This is an interesting way of conceptualizing the wide angle vision practice or widening perceptual span. The unique thing here is your emphasis on minimizing disturbance, I really like how you explain this. There is one more variable that is out of our control and that is the disturbance of animals! Our perception depends on their disruption. Great vid!
+Canadian Prepper Great point! This is definitely a simplified concept -- for instance, its not really a circle around us, so much as an amorphous blog, perhaps extending out far in one direction because of our scent, and not far in another direction because of a cliff. Add in the disturbance of animals, as you've pointed out, and it becomes a beautifully complex web of interactions! =) Kenton
Morning from across the pond, years ago when I entered a wood etc I would always get a sit spot, and just stay there , for however long ,just listening to the environment and animals /birds, you could zone in to the place so if I did go for a walk further I knew if birds/animals or anything was out of place, evening was always a great time for this as you would get daytime/night time animals /birds at this transition period together, brilliant, these days I can just for a few hours letting nature wash over me, great eco-therapy , cheers craig
+Craig Twiner Beautiful! It made me smile, because to some people, this would be torture. Can't I check my cell phone? But as you know, once our mind slows down, it finds such peace and adventure (often, paradoxically, simultaneously) in sitting like this. What a wonderful vision. You made my day, Craig! =) Kenton
Another great one Kenton! I especially liked your closing statement of how people can apply this concept in their "regular" lives. I try to help my clients to un-learn the excess stresses of modern life on their mental, physical, and emotional state. Slow down and nature will reveal itself to you! I learned from an old native friend of mine that we are "So busy listening, that we can not hear! and So busy watching that we can not see!" The sense of hearing and seeing are a natural thing that most of us are born with, it is us that hinder that which should come naturally.
+Sty North ". . .it is us that hinder that which should come naturally." I agree completely =) On so many levels we get in our own way, when all that is required is a release rather than further control. Thanks for helping people to find this, Sty! =) Kenton
+Tttheodore Webb Films Thank you my friend! I do love it, and hope that I can share as much of that love of life as possible through these videos. If they can help a few people to make some positive shifts, then mission is accomplished! =) Kenton
Hello, Kenton. Discovered this true gem of a channel yesterday and have been watching your videos almost continuously ever since during my wake hours. Just wanted to say thank you, for the amount of wisdom and insight you have is truly inspiring. Salutations from Turkey. o/
+Serkan Reis I am honored by your words my friend! Thank you so much -- your thanks inspires me to keep making these videos! Salutations in return from Wisconsin, USA! =) Kenton
Very cool and detailed way of looking at that interaction. I do this a lot but never have thought of it in this way before but I will now!! Thank you my friend, very cool.
+4 directions bushcraft So glad to hear that it's helpful! I think it's something many of us do almost instinctually, but this tool sometimes helps me to be more conscious about it. Good to hear from you, as always! =) Kenton
Sometimes I do something similar in city: It's like my head or brain is a camera, instead to point the camera towards me I point it around and observe, kind of like a cat or any animal, I softly watch things. And what's funny is that first it's relaxing and also make me condifent, serene. And then I see people, and I'm like "daaamn, almost all of them seem to think so muuuuuch, they are almost looking their feet" :D and I'm like "they should observe like me :D". When we see each other they also feel observed and embarassed, which is logic because.. yeah, I observe .. It becomes kind of automatic after few seconds or minutes. Usually when someone watches you you imagine what they see, so yourself, so you're a bit embarassed or narcissic or whatever, but in this case you're just keeping observing, you just see eyes I dunno exactly what societal thing made us think and auto-observe ourselves so much but yeah I think softly observing sometimes (oftenly) is pretty healthy. I guess that's something that humans did a lot before civilisation Anyway I think and feel there's something very great into softly Observing :))
I love your videos man. Everything you post is teachable and easy to pass on (especially to my son). It's more than just being "quiet" in the woods. I'm going out this weekend to give it a try and increase my circle of perception.
+Rob Farrell So glad you're finding value in these videos, and I'm honored that you are passing these skills on to your son. I'd love to hear how it goes when you give it a try! =) Kenton
Perhaps you mentioned this in some other video (or is on the book but have to get there yet) level of disturbance grows even bigger cause of perfumes, body lotions and soaps major part of people use daily and that get stuck to what we wear, also synthetic new clothings and leather ones (boots and gloves). So the ideal, together with a proper mind set, would be to go out in the most neutral way as possible (crawling in certain bushes or rubbing against certain trees helps a lot also). Another trick ive learned from my grandfather is to never use same walking rythm or body posture cause it seems animals are well awared of our behaviour patterns. not saying about walking four legs for a mile ( :D ) but like so to speak making 7 steps, pause, 4 more, bending, leaning of surfaces, not moving at all for some minute, accelerating the rythm, decreasing it ecc just as all creatures do in few words when they are out scouting. it might sounds a bit laborious and "unnatural" but after a while doing that it gets the most normal thing ever!
GREAT additions, my friend! I remember when I first heard about "breaking our rhythm" like that, and now it's an easy way to ID a human in the woods -- indeed, just as you say, humans tend to just move without breaking stride, while most other creatures of the forest spend more time stopping, pausing, etc. For me, it's complicated a bit by my neighbor who constantly breaks his rhythm because he loves to stop and look at just about everything out there in the woods, and by the wolves up here who, at least from the tracking I've been doing of them, often lope with a destination, much like humans do, only stopping if there is something of great interest (like a otter hole in the ice). But 99% of the time, this has been a great way for me to tell humans from just about any other animal. And absolutely in regards to those perfumes and such. After sharing what you have with us, I feel it's safe to bet that you have some pretty cool experiences out in the woods! =) Kenton
Yes exactly! no way a human can cheat about his activity in the Woods specially at night with animals or other humans awared of this!About wolves also it is very true, they have a lot of similarities with us, perhaps it has to do with the fact they aren't prey animals and move in organized groups most of the time with precise schedules and targets, their tracks seems to go always in straight lines unless they are on the hunt or get scared by something. The most advantaged ones when is about close encounters with animals are always the children, they get interested in everything, every single leave stone or insect and walk randomly, think they have the best attitude ever in the wild without having any skill, or perhaps they do have the best ones ever and tend to forget them as they grow out of their natural element! Was watching your video about shapeshifting, well they can do that without thinking about it, is great! Yes, i try to be out as much as possible, any season, good or bad weather, something interesting always happens :D
i totally get this. wen you go out with people you cant get to quite down vs going alone were you can read the forest and set your pace. the wildlife sightings go threw the roof
Absolutely! One of my favorite things is to go out with a group who knows how to be silent. But alone is probably the best if you want to see things . . . =) Kenton
I have one more hunting story I went in a grass Marsh in a homemade grass blind that I had built there was a bait pile that I had made probably 15 yards in front of my blind I can't hearing stuff moving through the grass and I was laying down to make sure that nothing would see me I started to doze off and fall asleep which by the way is a really good way to disappear :-) anyways, I awoke to a sound in the grass very close to the back of my head in for just a moment I thought there was a buck or a doe right behind me I turned to try to get a peek through the grass blind and I saw what looked like a yellow and black striped rope about two inches from my face, suddenly this world started to move then the rope looked at me and stuck his tongue out at me and I realized I was face to face with a garter snake :-) I blew my breath on his tongue so he could taste me he then very calmly turned and slithered away as he did so I reached over with my left pointer finger and stroked his side all the way down the side of his body as he slithered away from me to me that was one of the coolest up close encounters I had all hunting season this year
+ReWildUniversity I live in North Carolina where cottonmouths, copperheads, and rattlesnakes are common. Whenever I go into the woods during the summer, 3 things always worry me. Hogs, snakes, and believe it or not, spiders. I know spiders don't mean any harm but I hate the webs and they're on everything! I know you will likely see/hear hogs before they know you're there, but it's worrysome. About the snakes, which is what I came here to focus on, I always watch my step. What do you suggest? I see some people just walk carelessly about not worrying and able to maneuver the woods faster with a wide perception.
***** We have a game we play here at ReWildU called "pig", based on your hogs. One person calls "pig", and the other person has x amount of seconds to climb up a tree before the pig is released and tries to run over and touch them. Of course, our hogs are imaginary, and yours are real. The spider webs can be transformed with a "mindshift". For instance, you can do a visualization (just 5 minutes a day for 4 days) that every time a web touches your face or lips or body, it imbues you with a little "spider strength". Visualize them as silver glistening webs filled with this spider magic that flashes into you whenever a web touches you. What we're actually doing here is re-conditioning our mind to think of the webs as a good thing, and if we can "fool" ourselves like that, we can come to ignore or even enjoy the webs. If there is a fear of spiders on the webs getting on you, that's a little tougher. We'd have to recondition our minds to accept in the spiders themselves, which can be more of a challenge. But the same technique can work with just about anything. A couple of years ago, I did it with a no-anesthetic minor surgery to remove a piece of knife-steel that was healed under my skin. It was painless, just from doing a visualization the night before. As for the snakes, that's tougher. You have a real danger, and it is the sort that is worthy of respect. Two thoughts -- first, one idea might be to go actively looking for the snakes (perhaps you've done this). It may be that they are less common than you think. We have snappers in many of our waters, but because I've actively searched for them, I know that my chance of landing on one when I go wading or swimming is not very good. Secondly, this is a chance to "entrain" with the snakes. It's odd, but often when we fear something, we tend to encounter it more. Perhaps it's just that our fear dampens our awareness (some would say the opposite, but I've found that fear directs our attention into our foveal vision, and often misses many things), and thus we don't see that snake next to the log. But when we sort of befriend the snakes and attempt to lose our fear, our awareness can function fully and we're more apt to see them. We don't have many venomous snakes in Wisconsin, but Rebecca and I have gone adventuring to areas where we have a lot of timber rattlers, just trying to find them. It becomes sort of an adventure. A bit of fear-induced excitement, and the realization that we have a good chance of seeing an amazing animal. I wonder if you could do this -- start becoming interested in these snakes, looking for them, and even going up closer (safely) and observing them more. This familiarity might make them into something that seems more like a companion in the woods. Hope this helps a little! =) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity I've heard of the game pig from your tree climbing video. I know my best escape from a hog is up, but in the adrenaline rush I don't think at this point I'd be able to climb a smaller tree. I would probably just get on the other side and hope they go by. As for spiders, I like some spiders and don't mind them. it's the "ugly" ones that hang from trees on a 20 degree day somehow still alive. I want to do the reconditioning exercise and test it out when spring arrives. Thanks for this awesome reply and I will definitely try these things! I try to go out of my comfort zone a little each time I hike. I don't really like being inside of debris shelters and so today I went to lay down beside a rotting log under a thick cedar tree, and proceeded to cover myself up with the groundlay. My fear of a snake being under the log was there, as today was warm. Once I accepted it, I kicked back and wanted to stay there forever.
Wow Kenton - A seriously interesting synopsis . My Apache cousin and myself have always been believers of proximity sense . Modern man is slowly losing his proximity sense because it is not required as in days of old . There are techniques and practices which will help one reacquire or strengthen their innate or "lost" proximity sense and the ability not to project ones aura and energy . Your thoughts and ideas are most fascinating Kenton & THANKS .
+Master Tracker Proximity sense. I haven't heard of this, but I wonder . . . I would often sit next to well-used paths, and found that if I looked at people and was "trying to hide" or not wanting them to see me, I would inevitably be seen. But when I "became a stump", feeling the moss over my wooden skin, then I would often be "invisible". I would love to hear more about this proximity sense if you'd be willing to share! =) Kenton
Soo true ,good video..My mind and aura is always open in the woods :) i sense the slightest change in natures way to talk,, ,yes this has also followed me to urban areas, also when i come home or go to a remote places i automatic look for car tracks etc,i can`t help it ,some say i am paranoid :) but they grew up in a city and don`t understand `nature so well any more,, i listen to the birds what they say,,easy to tell the weather and danger by the birds,that is one basic ting to sense and learn in the woods for surviving ,also the pleasure to feel one with it is rewarding
+tuxnor I think we'd have fun going for a walk together! I too am always looking at car tracks, and "listening" to both the woods and the urban environment. I'm having a fascinating conversation right now with a woman from Tokyo who has been "tracking" in the city, observing human movement and habits. The world is so rich and full of clues and mysteries if we just look around! =) Kenton
true so true,,just have to be open but it takes some time,i guess i had it in early as i was a lot up in the mountains and in the wood as a child also :) but yes some has this even if they was born in a city :)
i don`t know what happenend ,i cant find last comment again,,i wrote a long reply but it just vanished,,yes it is a bit "odd" kaldfjord and you wrote about a place so close to me :) feel free if you like to join my FB survivor & bushcraft group and share your skills :) ..,i just started it and people are joining..hope to
tuxnor Aagh! That happens to me too sometimes. That magic combination of keyboard strokes that makes things disappear irrevocably . . . Thanks again for the invitation! =) Kenton
when I walk in the woods i usually wear minimalist boots and if i can, go barefoot when stalking a deer and when ive spent about an hour in the woods my senses open up and i can usually smell a deer before i see it or im sneaking so well i end up walking up on one bedded down.the less noise you're making and slower movements are less intimidating to a deer and usually go under their radar because nothing seems out of place to them also if youve spotted a deer,sniper low crawling does wanders to getting close to it.
+Braden Wolfe You've brought up smell, which is usually a sense that we largely ignore. As you say, it can be brought out in us, even to the level of smelling other animals before we see them. A great reminder that we possess more sensory capabilities than we might know . . . =) Kenton
ReWildUniversity when you go from your home where you are noise blind to a lot of smells to the woods where you have new smells should be fighting to get to your nostrels after you sit down, wait a while, use your hand to move leaves aside to get that fresh dirt smell and to give other animals a stronger more interesting smell to get curious about so theyre less worried about you and usually once ive sat and smelled fresh dirt for awhile thats when my sense of smell takes its part in the hunt. Also works extremely well when hunting in the rain.
I took my 3 and 6 year olds for a wander off the trail last weekend. They wanted to see animals and I explained how we needed to keep quiet, but to avail! Oh well, we saw some interesting bugs and spiders.
+ce4130 Ah, children's exuberance can sometimes not be the best for seeing bigger animals. But as you noted -- they also tend to look under logs and spot smaller creatures that many of us would miss. Must have been a fun adventure! =) Kenton
Kenton you are an Amazing teacher and your concepts like this are well thought out and well..............Amazing. I can only to hope I can meet you in person some time in my life ♥️🇺🇸👍🏻☮
hi Kenton. Thats really cool - army issue mark one even - as we used to call stuff like that, but so cool gona have to give it a go. Cheers mate, Brill. Dave across the pond.
i'm deliberately making my circle of disturbance really large in the woods, howling, whistling, shouting lumberjack talk.(wow, i kinda feel bad when i see it written down) there are lots of bears here in romania, i've never seen one, but i have buddies who have. i'm kinda freaked out by encounering a bear with cubs, it happens sometimes... even so, i've seen a stag, a few deer and lots of chamois in my trips.
+jawbone2000 An important point -- there are times when a big circle of disturbance is a good thing! Many people, when in grizzly country, make lots of noise. It's good not to surprise some creatures! =) Kenton
I've definitely noticed that I'm more likely to see boar if I sit near one of their feeding sites and wait for them to come to me. Strangely this doesn't seem to be the case with deer, I can think of countless times when I've stumbled on a group of deer feeding, even when I'm loudly jogging, but none where a deer has approached where I am. So maybe your concept varies depending on the type of animal, I will say it's definitely more satisfying to observe an animal unseen though.
+Almus Quotch Interesting! I too seem to see more deer when I'm running in the woods than when I am walking quietly. I wonder if a human running through the woods is somehow less threatening -- sneaking, we sort of scream "hunter", while running, we are a bit odd for a human, and worth a few minutes of checking us out. After all, they probably know they can outrun anyone in the woods, so perhaps they are more confident facing a runner than a sneaker. =) Kenton
ReWildUniversity I've been thinking about this a bit and my guess is that its to do with the time of day the animals are active. As far as I know deer are most active around dawn and dusk. Which is a time of day that I'm unlikely to just be sitting around quietly in the woods, but I do some times go for a run in the evenings. Just a thought. It would be interesting to know if any one else has experienced this, could be useful for tracking/stalking.
+Almus Quotch Dawn and dusk is when you want to be sitting quietly in the woods. I often nod off, one of the biggest scenes used is the ear. Surprising how much noise a squirrel or small bird can make. Sometimes I am awakened by a loud buzz in my head for a brief second, it is startling. A deer can be heard coming befor you will see it. Wind direction is important. I love the cold frosty mornings, dead sclient, hard to walk quietly in frosty leaves though, you want a clean trail going to your sitting/stand. Kentons videos alway make me thing.
sitting under the leafes shadows from the hot sun in the early morning... a weasel makes some jumps through the green-tall-shin-grass so speedy from bush to bush... awwww.. had to challenge it ahahah?
Great video. I would like to add that these disturbances are not just sound but also sight, smell and perhaps ESP as well. So wear camo of some type. Be quiet and very importantly don't go in smelling like a city. So think about the perfumes you have on. What did you wash your hair with? what did you wash your clothing with? What have you eaten in the last 3 days? What did you put under your arms? Are you wearing perfume? Does your breath stink of cigarettes or something really strange like kids bubble gum? The best that you can do is to smoke yourself well after putting on clothing that was washed in a stream without soap and air dried. Then go and roll is some mud until you are wet from head to toe, then roll is nome dry grasses. At this point you will not smell so human and you will not look so human. Now all you have to do is master being quiet. Don't talk with your hands or even move your hand, hands in pockets works well. Don't wear stiff clothing that makes a lot of noise. Skin works best. PS getting wet is only good on hot days. PPS for rewilduniversity. I found a new way to cook food in the winter. ua-cam.com/video/iJQzyBqZeZc/v-deo.html
+Douglas E Knapp Great advice! Our smell is, indeed a giveaway. I've heard that if we wash our clothes with modern detergents, not only is the smell strong, but the uv protectants make our clothing almost like a beacon to the eyes of a turkey. That's why natural camo, as you described, can be so superior. On the link -- coolest thing ever! Or hottest. In either case, I'm now more excited than ever for winter! =) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity I looked up the turkey thing. Here is a good link: blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/tom-turkeys-terrific-vision/ So they more or less see us like we when we are seeing with a strong black light on us plus their superman vision. It is really amazing that the natives ever managed to shoot one with a bow!
I was thinking about this and remembered reading about deer seeing power lines as light. Seems deer see in UV as well! www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/12/animals-powerlines-sky-wildlife
Douglas E Knapp Makes one realize how much of the world is invisible to us with our eyes that see only such a small sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum. I think it's something like 400-700 nanometers, while the spectrum itself ranges from waves as tall as skyscrapters to waves smaller than atoms (and probably bigger and smaller than we know). I like to think of it as 99.99999999% of the world being invisible to our senses. =) Kenton
+Bobby Harper Great thing to remember. Sometimes when you switch circles, you get up-close-and-personal with some of the larger denizens of the woods . . . =) Kenton
about a month ago I was out bow hunting for deer and I noticed each time I went I was able to relax myself quicker and basically become invisible in my tree stand quicker i also truly believe that we all share consciousness and if you go out there in project the intent of hunting you will see less animals but if you go out there in project just sitting out there and relaxing you will see more animals that's just another aspect of it but definitely I had an experience I had two nice size does walk right underneath me it excited me so much that I shot foolishly and my arrow bounced off the deer's head did not even cut her she ran about 15 feet turned trying to find me in the tree as I reached for another arrow out of my quiver she saw me and started stomping her hoof on the ground and hissing at me... needless to say I went home with a frown on my face that day,,, actually no I didn't I went home with a big smile on my face because I got within 5 feet of a female deer two of them actually when I took the shot I was a mere 12 feet away from a deer quartering away just perfect and I got so excited my heart was racing so hard that I forgot to concentrate and take the shot properly I pulled the string of the bow to my stomach and released it lol hence the Miss I hunted probably 35 times since opening day and I saw and learned a lot about squirrels and chipmunks :-) and I did get close to several deer....
+jesse “jess” rush Great story! Oh yes, hunting does indeed get us in touch with parts of ourselves we don't often encounter! This story seems like it ended well for both you and the deer! =) Kenton
There are two things which make us REALLY stand out in the woods. We are the only bipeds, thus we LOOK and SOUND far different than other animals. The other is the human voice. Which is Soooooo out of place in the woods. Being short and whispering makes the circle a LOT smaller.
I grew up in the woods in Wisconsin and never could articulate this idea to others as well as you have -- thanks Tristan and Kenton for sharing.
I've found that minimizing disturbance is the only way to dramatically increase my circle of perception. Sitting still in the woods for even just a few minutes has many rewards, as birds and animals will fill in the void that is created when we are moving and disturbing the forest. Often, sound is the primary perception available in the woods; to me one of the most amazing examples of this is hearing the sound of sprouting plants pushing aside fallen leaves in the spring.
+isayfujoeboo Beautiful "vision", that sound of plants pushing up in the spring. Glad to hear from a fellow Wisconsinite!
=) Kenton
Some advise on this concept that will make a big difference in perception, in the woods sit down and close your eyes for about a minute and just listen, after you get your hearing spend about 5 minutes just following the things you hear with your eyes, if they make a sound you will see them. Smells can be achieved but take several days of nothing but woods time, and sometimes your own smell will mask nature's. Lastly when you sit in the woods keep your face in the wind, things are more likely to be seen if they can't smell you.
+chris m Great tips! Thanks so much for adding these. Definitely something for people to try!
=) Kenton
A few nights ago I went to the woods alone and spent the night in a shelter I built. When I walked in there, started collecting branches, making fire and prepping my kit I heard birds chirping really loudly, almost screaming. I thought that it's surprising how loud animals are. But then, after about 2 hours of sitting completely silent in my camp I heard that in almost an instant they all switched to more calm mating songs. The silence and sounds of nature, that calm serenity felt so sacred to me that I had to take of my heavy boots and naturally started to sneak out for firewood as opposed to trod around snapping branches. Soon enough, after 2 more hours I had a close encounter with a doe, and a fox. It was amazing, and it was one of the moments I had the biggest ever appreciation for nature so far.
Beautiful. You were "blending", so that the animals no longer saw you as a threat. Most of us humans have very distinctive ways of moving and sounding -- once we break those patterns and quiet down, so much is waiting for us!
=) Kenton
I just wanted to say thank you for your videos. I've been extremely stressed and pressured by school for the last 4-5 years; but when I last year first discovered your videos, that stress has been slowly but surely decreasing. I've realized some things that are important to me in life and the fact that I don't have to work until i collapse at an office in the city for the rest of my life filled with stress and angst has given me a lot of hope :) so thanks! (oh, and sorry if my English is terrible ;))
+Linnea Pea Your English is great, Linnea! I can very much relate -- school was almost like torture for me. Not only was it uninspiring and high-pressure, but I was a skinny, short, red-haired kid -- perfect for picking on. I just didn't see why I should be suffering through school just to get good grades so I could get a "good" job that I didn't want.
It means a lot to hear that you're finding value in these videos. It's my greatest hope that they can help a few people to choose their dreams and passions -- to really give their gifts to the world -- instead of just settling for a life path that doesn't bring out their best. I can only imagine what you will do in this lifetime -- but I imagine it will not only be fulfilling for you, but will make this world a more compassionate, loving, and beautiful place.
Thanks for writing!
=) Kenton
Thank you very much I love going into the forest and spotting animals
Such an amazing thing to do! A reminder that there is much more to the world than just our human dramas =)
Now add awareness of wind direction and you can predict where you will and won't spot an animal. 😅 EXCELLENT VIDEO ! You sir are a blessing to nature. Thank you.
Yes! Developing that wind awareness is so powerful -- it opens up new worlds of animal observation. Thanks for pointing this out!
fantastic video on perception, i remember when i was younger i always tried to treat the woods with respect.
I kept my presence small but my awareness wide.
I remember walking through the woods quietly when i got to a stream i liked to meditate by, i was always weary of coyotes and bears in the area.
this time i got about 50feet from the stream when a albino wolf stepped out (long narrow snout thick white fur and 2x the size of a normal dog.
I immediately stopped moving the wolf saw me took a drink and disappeared, i immediately walked backwards while retracing my steps a few paces be fore high tailing it as swift and quit as i could out of there.
I did always carry a sword when i went in the woods, but there was no way i was fighting that thing lol it was up to my elbows probably could have road that thing into battle >.>
What an amazing encounter! Something to remember and treasure forever. And how cool that you carried a sword in the woods. I often do as well, even these days! =)
I experienced an encounter with a raccoon while fishing one day. He had his head down and was walking right towards me. I then made the "animal calling noise people do with cats and dogs lol" He lifted his head and his eyes expanded. He was startled to see a human deep in the woods I thought to me self. I think silence is key. Most animals near neighborhoods are use to the smell of humans it's sounds they use mostly to detect predators. Learning the sounds of nature will help expand you awareness as well. Great topic of discussion. I would love to attend one of your classes. Take care. -Eric
+Deranged Survival Great story, Eric! I can just imagine the look on that racoon's face . . .
=) Kenton
I've always called it sneaking up on nature. The slow deliberate quiet stalking that I do. At these times my senses are turned all the way up.... tuned all the way in. Oddly, this is going to sound strange, it's like my sinuses open up causing me to hear better, smell things better, my eyes can easily pick up movement well on my periphery. Every foot placement thought out and advance pathway reckoned before proceeding. It's such an altered state from my normal composure. Some of my favorite sightings have been something as simple as looking down into the creek and seeing a crawfish making his way from one rock to another. Hearing the shrill panic chirp of a chipmunk and discovering a stalking cat. seeing a hawk after a squirrel within feet of me, adult turkeys making their way through the woods with what looked like 20 chicks around, a Peregrine Falcon teetering atop the back of a chipmunk patiently waiting for his crushing talons do their work. I'm always most interested in peeking in on and finding warm blooded animals. When there's no squirrels, birds, or cattle on yonder hill to peek in on, there's still insects... rolling over rocks, cocoons, left behind exoskeletons. I could tell you how bad my hearing is but, strangely, I can still hear a squirrels nails digging into the backside of a tree 50 feet away as he tries to hide from me, I can hear him somewhere in the canopy gnawing through a hickory nut, or the pitter patter of acorn shells falling through the branches as he nibbles. Yes, I love me some nature!!!
+David West What awesome stories of things you have witnessed! "Sneaking up on nature" -- great! I think all those animals somehow know . . . and when we slow down and become deliberate, as you speak of, we're almost like a non-human creature to them. I also appreciated how you spoke of the "small things" -- the squirrel's nails, the crawfish . . . to me, those are often the most exciting and delightful of encounters.
Your love of nature comes through so strongly -- inspiring!
=) Kenton
Hi sir, great video. I think this is one of the best channels for adventurers. Me and my father are traveling a lot in nature (we are cave and mine explorers) and we always going deep in nature where animals can be dangerous to us. We learned that the best way to protect ourselves (especially if the forest is dense)is to announce our presence by talking loudly and sometimes clapping hands, in this way bears and wild boars will not be taken by surprise and they will have time to retreat of our way. The bad part of this is that when we actually WANT to see animals we never see them because we are used to make noise even when we think we are pretty quiet. Seeing this video I realized why last week when I was traveling alone, I was very very aware of my surroundings and I didn't talked or make any noise, I spotted 5 fox puppies playing, moving very slowly and with patience I could get very close to them (about 2 meters) and take great pictures. Expanding the circle of perception and decreasing the circle of disturbance is really the key to great close encounters, thank you!
So glad this could be useful to some real adventurers like yourselves! I am VERY attracted to caves, but don't really get a chance to explore any, and I've never been in anything close to what you've explored. That must be so exciting!
=) Kenton
Very true! Most people are unaware or oblivious to how noisy and how much they effect things as they move about. Cool video! Thanks
+Jasonscreative Adventures Indeed! It's amazing, sometimes, to go out into the woods, and you can spot humans even if they are very far away because of how noisy they are.
=) Kenton
Great lesson Kenton. This morning I was threading myself through the woods, looking for a piece of birch to make a kuksa. Once I found a nice piece of live windfall, I sat down and just spent the next hour getting lost.It was a grey day, -2C and getting ready to flurry. I was watching the resident Ravens playing tag in the Jack Pines and the forest echoed with their throaty groats. You could even feel the sound waves of their feathers rippling in the wind as they wove through the limbs overheadOne of my favourite exercises is to use my splatter vision. As I was watching the Ravens, I noticed in the bottom of my peripheral, something sneaking towards me through the deadfalls and grass. I focused my attention there and was rewarded to catch a glimpse of Weasel in full snow coat.It darted along the logs and through the brush, heading straight for me. It must have been so busy in search of food that when it was about 5 ft away, I let out a little pish to warn that it was about to run up my pant leg. It flipped a complete somersault then just stood there looking at me side ways. I couldn't stop giggling at how perplexed it was that I "snuck up" on it. We looked at each other pishing back and forth for a few seconds until it went back to doing what had made it so oblivious to my being there.Being part of Nature is a most uplifting feeling.
+scout N about bushcraft I felt like I was there for you -- for me, your captured that particular feeling when you almost lose yourself in the connection with nature, embraced in the sounds, the sights, and the feelings. Would loved to have been there to see Weasel!
=) Kenton
This is an interesting way of conceptualizing the wide angle vision practice or widening perceptual span. The unique thing here is your emphasis on minimizing disturbance, I really like how you explain this. There is one more variable that is out of our control and that is the disturbance of animals! Our perception depends on their disruption. Great vid!
+Canadian Prepper Great point! This is definitely a simplified concept -- for instance, its not really a circle around us, so much as an amorphous blog, perhaps extending out far in one direction because of our scent, and not far in another direction because of a cliff. Add in the disturbance of animals, as you've pointed out, and it becomes a beautifully complex web of interactions!
=) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity A scent plume
ReWildUniversity|Thanks for the great response! Would be cool to see this concept animated...
Canadian Prepper
Ah, if I knew animation, so many cool things that could be done . . .
=) Kenton
*****
Exactly =)
Morning from across the pond, years ago when I entered a wood etc I would always get a sit spot, and just stay there , for however long ,just listening to the environment and animals /birds, you could zone in to the place so if I did go for a walk further I knew if birds/animals or anything was out of place, evening was always a great time for this as you would get daytime/night time animals /birds at this transition period together, brilliant, these days I can just for a few hours letting nature wash over me, great eco-therapy , cheers craig
+Craig Twiner Beautiful! It made me smile, because to some people, this would be torture. Can't I check my cell phone? But as you know, once our mind slows down, it finds such peace and adventure (often, paradoxically, simultaneously) in sitting like this.
What a wonderful vision. You made my day, Craig!
=) Kenton
Another great one Kenton! I especially liked your closing statement of how people can apply this concept in their "regular" lives. I try to help my clients to un-learn the excess stresses of modern life on their mental, physical, and emotional state. Slow down and nature will reveal itself to you! I learned from an old native friend of mine that we are "So busy listening, that we can not hear! and So busy watching that we can not see!" The sense of hearing and seeing are a natural thing that most of us are born with, it is us that hinder that which should come naturally.
+Sty North ". . .it is us that hinder that which should come naturally." I agree completely =) On so many levels we get in our own way, when all that is required is a release rather than further control. Thanks for helping people to find this, Sty!
=) Kenton
This made complete sense within seconds. Thank you.
So glad!
=) Kenton
You must love the life you live and I think it's incredibly awesome that you are so In tune to the earth, which is the stuff that really matters! :)
+Tttheodore Webb Films Thank you my friend! I do love it, and hope that I can share as much of that love of life as possible through these videos. If they can help a few people to make some positive shifts, then mission is accomplished!
=) Kenton
Hello, Kenton. Discovered this true gem of a channel yesterday and have been watching your videos almost continuously ever since during my wake hours. Just wanted to say thank you, for the amount of wisdom and insight you have is truly inspiring.
Salutations from Turkey. o/
+Serkan Reis I am honored by your words my friend! Thank you so much -- your thanks inspires me to keep making these videos!
Salutations in return from Wisconsin, USA!
=) Kenton
So true! It's amazing when I go deer hunting with a close friend and we barely speak above a whisper but we both jump when a raven screams.
Ha! It's so interesting, isn't it, when we quiet down?
=) Kenton
Beautifully put!
Thanks my friend =)
Very cool and detailed way of looking at that interaction. I do this a lot but never have thought of it in this way before but I will now!! Thank you my friend, very cool.
+4 directions bushcraft So glad to hear that it's helpful! I think it's something many of us do almost instinctually, but this tool sometimes helps me to be more conscious about it. Good to hear from you, as always!
=) Kenton
Sometimes I do something similar in city: It's like my head or brain is a camera, instead to point the camera towards me I point it around and observe, kind of like a cat or any animal, I softly watch things. And what's funny is that first it's relaxing and also make me condifent, serene. And then I see people, and I'm like "daaamn, almost all of them seem to think so muuuuuch, they are almost looking their feet" :D and I'm like "they should observe like me :D". When we see each other they also feel observed and embarassed, which is logic because.. yeah, I observe .. It becomes kind of automatic after few seconds or minutes. Usually when someone watches you you imagine what they see, so yourself, so you're a bit embarassed or narcissic or whatever, but in this case you're just keeping observing, you just see eyes
I dunno exactly what societal thing made us think and auto-observe ourselves so much but yeah I think softly observing sometimes (oftenly) is pretty healthy. I guess that's something that humans did a lot before civilisation
Anyway I think and feel there's something very great into softly Observing :))
I love your videos man. Everything you post is teachable and easy to pass on (especially to my son). It's more than just being "quiet" in the woods. I'm going out this weekend to give it a try and increase my circle of perception.
+Rob Farrell So glad you're finding value in these videos, and I'm honored that you are passing these skills on to your son. I'd love to hear how it goes when you give it a try!
=) Kenton
Perhaps you mentioned this in some other video (or is on the book but have to get there yet) level of disturbance grows even bigger cause of perfumes, body lotions and soaps major part of people use daily and that get stuck to what we wear, also synthetic new clothings and leather ones (boots and gloves). So the ideal, together with a proper mind set, would be to go out in the most neutral way as possible (crawling in certain bushes or rubbing against certain trees helps a lot also). Another trick ive learned from my grandfather is to never use same walking rythm or body posture cause it seems animals are well awared of our behaviour patterns. not saying about walking four legs for a mile ( :D ) but like so to speak making 7 steps, pause, 4 more, bending, leaning of surfaces, not moving at all for some minute, accelerating the rythm, decreasing it ecc just as all creatures do in few words when they are out scouting. it might sounds a bit laborious and "unnatural" but after a while doing that it gets the most normal thing ever!
GREAT additions, my friend! I remember when I first heard about "breaking our rhythm" like that, and now it's an easy way to ID a human in the woods -- indeed, just as you say, humans tend to just move without breaking stride, while most other creatures of the forest spend more time stopping, pausing, etc. For me, it's complicated a bit by my neighbor who constantly breaks his rhythm because he loves to stop and look at just about everything out there in the woods, and by the wolves up here who, at least from the tracking I've been doing of them, often lope with a destination, much like humans do, only stopping if there is something of great interest (like a otter hole in the ice). But 99% of the time, this has been a great way for me to tell humans from just about any other animal.
And absolutely in regards to those perfumes and such. After sharing what you have with us, I feel it's safe to bet that you have some pretty cool experiences out in the woods!
=) Kenton
Yes exactly! no way a human can cheat about his activity in the Woods specially at night with animals or other humans awared of this!About wolves also it is very true, they have a lot of similarities with us, perhaps it has to do with the fact they aren't prey animals and move in organized groups most of the time with precise schedules and targets, their tracks seems to go always in straight lines unless they are on the hunt or get scared by something.
The most advantaged ones when is about close encounters with animals are always the children, they get interested in everything, every single leave stone or insect and walk randomly, think they have the best attitude ever in the wild without having any skill, or perhaps they do have the best ones ever and tend to forget them as they grow out of their natural element! Was watching your video about shapeshifting, well they can do that without thinking about it, is great!
Yes, i try to be out as much as possible, any season, good or bad weather, something interesting always happens :D
well said!!
Thank you!
=) Kenton
i totally get this. wen you go out with people you cant get to quite down vs going alone were you can read the forest and set your pace. the wildlife sightings go threw the roof
Absolutely! One of my favorite things is to go out with a group who knows how to be silent. But alone is probably the best if you want to see things . . .
=) Kenton
I have one more hunting story I went in a grass Marsh in a homemade grass blind that I had built there was a bait pile that I had made probably 15 yards in front of my blind I can't hearing stuff moving through the grass and I was laying down to make sure that nothing would see me I started to doze off and fall asleep which by the way is a really good way to disappear :-) anyways, I awoke to a sound in the grass very close to the back of my head in for just a moment I thought there was a buck or a doe right behind me I turned to try to get a peek through the grass blind and I saw what looked like a yellow and black striped rope about two inches from my face, suddenly this world started to move then the rope looked at me and stuck his tongue out at me and I realized I was face to face with a garter snake :-) I blew my breath on his tongue so he could taste me he then very calmly turned and slithered away as he did so I reached over with my left pointer finger and stroked his side all the way down the side of his body as he slithered away from me to me that was one of the coolest up close encounters I had all hunting season this year
+jesse “jess” rush I love it! Of course, I'm a big fan of snakes, so this story was right fun to read!
=) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity I live in North Carolina where cottonmouths, copperheads, and rattlesnakes are common. Whenever I go into the woods during the summer, 3 things always worry me. Hogs, snakes, and believe it or not, spiders. I know spiders don't mean any harm but I hate the webs and they're on everything! I know you will likely see/hear hogs before they know you're there, but it's worrysome. About the snakes, which is what I came here to focus on, I always watch my step.
What do you suggest? I see some people just walk carelessly about not worrying and able to maneuver the woods faster with a wide perception.
*****
We have a game we play here at ReWildU called "pig", based on your hogs. One person calls "pig", and the other person has x amount of seconds to climb up a tree before the pig is released and tries to run over and touch them. Of course, our hogs are imaginary, and yours are real.
The spider webs can be transformed with a "mindshift". For instance, you can do a visualization (just 5 minutes a day for 4 days) that every time a web touches your face or lips or body, it imbues you with a little "spider strength". Visualize them as silver glistening webs filled with this spider magic that flashes into you whenever a web touches you. What we're actually doing here is re-conditioning our mind to think of the webs as a good thing, and if we can "fool" ourselves like that, we can come to ignore or even enjoy the webs. If there is a fear of spiders on the webs getting on you, that's a little tougher. We'd have to recondition our minds to accept in the spiders themselves, which can be more of a challenge. But the same technique can work with just about anything. A couple of years ago, I did it with a no-anesthetic minor surgery to remove a piece of knife-steel that was healed under my skin. It was painless, just from doing a visualization the night before.
As for the snakes, that's tougher. You have a real danger, and it is the sort that is worthy of respect. Two thoughts -- first, one idea might be to go actively looking for the snakes (perhaps you've done this). It may be that they are less common than you think. We have snappers in many of our waters, but because I've actively searched for them, I know that my chance of landing on one when I go wading or swimming is not very good. Secondly, this is a chance to "entrain" with the snakes. It's odd, but often when we fear something, we tend to encounter it more. Perhaps it's just that our fear dampens our awareness (some would say the opposite, but I've found that fear directs our attention into our foveal vision, and often misses many things), and thus we don't see that snake next to the log. But when we sort of befriend the snakes and attempt to lose our fear, our awareness can function fully and we're more apt to see them.
We don't have many venomous snakes in Wisconsin, but Rebecca and I have gone adventuring to areas where we have a lot of timber rattlers, just trying to find them. It becomes sort of an adventure. A bit of fear-induced excitement, and the realization that we have a good chance of seeing an amazing animal. I wonder if you could do this -- start becoming interested in these snakes, looking for them, and even going up closer (safely) and observing them more. This familiarity might make them into something that seems more like a companion in the woods.
Hope this helps a little!
=) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity I've heard of the game pig from your tree climbing video. I know my best escape from a hog is up, but in the adrenaline rush I don't think at this point I'd be able to climb a smaller tree. I would probably just get on the other side and hope they go by.
As for spiders, I like some spiders and don't mind them. it's the "ugly" ones that hang from trees on a 20 degree day somehow still alive. I want to do the reconditioning exercise and test it out when spring arrives.
Thanks for this awesome reply and I will definitely try these things! I try to go out of my comfort zone a little each time I hike. I don't really like being inside of debris shelters and so today I went to lay down beside a rotting log under a thick cedar tree, and proceeded to cover myself up with the groundlay. My fear of a snake being under the log was there, as today was warm. Once I accepted it, I kicked back and wanted to stay there forever.
*****
Please do keep me updated, Ethan. Our relationship with fear, and how we transform it, is of great interest to me!
Excellent visualization thanks for this helpful tip, I'm going to try this out. :)
+Wannabe Bushcrafter Let me know how it goes! Check out the other comments, too -- some people have left some great additional tips.
=) Kenton
3rd video I've watch = Subscribed! Thank you ❤ 👍
Thanks for your subscription! So glad to have you on the channel!
=) Kenton
Wow Kenton - A seriously interesting synopsis . My Apache cousin and myself have always been believers of proximity sense . Modern man is slowly losing his proximity sense because it is not required as in days of old . There are techniques and practices which will help one reacquire or strengthen their innate or "lost" proximity sense and the ability not to project ones aura and energy . Your thoughts and ideas are most fascinating Kenton & THANKS .
+Master Tracker Proximity sense. I haven't heard of this, but I wonder . . . I would often sit next to well-used paths, and found that if I looked at people and was "trying to hide" or not wanting them to see me, I would inevitably be seen. But when I "became a stump", feeling the moss over my wooden skin, then I would often be "invisible".
I would love to hear more about this proximity sense if you'd be willing to share!
=) Kenton
yes it helps thanks
+anthony marino I'm happy that you found it useful Anthony!
=) Kenton
A very good tip as always, thanks to you Kenton, I'll try this as soon as I can.
+Audric Huck Please let me know how it goes!
=) Kenton
Sure :)
really cool concept, thank you :)
So glad you liked it my friend! We are LOVING your channel!!
@@ReWildUniversity your welcome, and thanks so much :)
Excellent video Kenton! Thumbs up.
+aHigher Power Thank you!
=) Kenton
very nice explanation atb john
+Turtle Bushcraft Thanks John!
=) Kenton
Great video!
Thank you Roberto!!
Another great video thank you.
Xx
Thank you!
=) Kenton
Soo true ,good video..My mind and aura is always open in the woods :) i sense the slightest change in natures way to talk,, ,yes this has also followed me to urban areas, also when i come home or go to a remote places i automatic look for car tracks etc,i can`t help it ,some say i am paranoid :) but they grew up in a city and don`t understand `nature so well any more,, i listen to the birds what they say,,easy to tell the weather and danger by the birds,that is one basic ting to sense and learn in the woods for surviving ,also the pleasure to feel one with it is rewarding
+tuxnor I think we'd have fun going for a walk together! I too am always looking at car tracks, and "listening" to both the woods and the urban environment. I'm having a fascinating conversation right now with a woman from Tokyo who has been "tracking" in the city, observing human movement and habits. The world is so rich and full of clues and mysteries if we just look around!
=) Kenton
true so true,,just have to be open but it takes some time,i guess i had it in early as i was a lot up in the mountains and in the wood as a child also :) but yes some has this even if they was born in a city :)
i don`t know what happenend ,i cant find last comment again,,i wrote a long reply but it just vanished,,yes it is a bit "odd" kaldfjord and you wrote about a place so close to me :) feel free if you like to join my FB survivor & bushcraft group and share your skills :) ..,i just started it and people are joining..hope to
tuxnor
Aagh! That happens to me too sometimes. That magic combination of keyboard strokes that makes things disappear irrevocably . . .
Thanks again for the invitation!
=) Kenton
when I walk in the woods i usually wear minimalist boots and if i can, go barefoot when stalking a deer and when ive spent about an hour in the woods my senses open up and i can usually smell a deer before i see it or im sneaking so well i end up walking up on one bedded down.the less noise you're making and slower movements are less intimidating to a deer and usually go under their radar because nothing seems out of place to them also if youve spotted a deer,sniper low crawling does wanders to getting close to it.
+Braden Wolfe You've brought up smell, which is usually a sense that we largely ignore. As you say, it can be brought out in us, even to the level of smelling other animals before we see them. A great reminder that we possess more sensory capabilities than we might know . . .
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity when you go from your home where you are noise blind to a lot of smells to the woods where you have new smells should be fighting to get to your nostrels after you sit down, wait a while, use your hand to move leaves aside to get that fresh dirt smell and to give other animals a stronger more interesting smell to get curious about so theyre less worried about you and usually once ive sat and smelled fresh dirt for awhile thats when my sense of smell takes its part in the hunt.
Also works extremely well when hunting in the rain.
Braden Wolfe
This is great stuff! Seldom do we hear about how to bring out our olfactory capabilities. Thanks for sharing all this!
=) Kenton
Cats are so good at it haha :D
I took my 3 and 6 year olds for a wander off the trail last weekend. They wanted to see animals and I explained how we needed to keep quiet, but to avail! Oh well, we saw some interesting bugs and spiders.
+ce4130 Ah, children's exuberance can sometimes not be the best for seeing bigger animals. But as you noted -- they also tend to look under logs and spot smaller creatures that many of us would miss. Must have been a fun adventure!
=) Kenton
You would have been so good in the Walking Dead :D Love your vibes bro ty :))
So good! Even touched my Heart :)
Wow, thank you! I'm so glad you liked it!!
=) Kenton
great video gonna try it out, can you maybe make a video of some more treeclimbing but this time with branches?!
+Quinten Piek Great idea! I'll definitely think about doing one!
=) Kenton
Kenton you are an Amazing teacher and your concepts like this are well thought out and well..............Amazing. I can only to hope I can meet you in person some time in my life ♥️🇺🇸👍🏻☮
+TAVOR VICEROY VALDOR I hope to meet you as well! Thanks, my friend.
=) Kenton
😊🇺🇸
Thanks, --- Clark
+Virginia Bradley You bet, Clark!
=) Kenton
hi Kenton. Thats really cool - army issue mark one even - as we used to call stuff like that, but so cool gona have to give it a go. Cheers mate, Brill. Dave across the pond.
+WackysWanderings Thanks Dave! Great compliment! I hope this works well for you!
=) Kenton
great video, as always!
Excellent points. TC - Stan
+Deep South Experience Thanks much, Stan!
=) Kenton
i'm deliberately making my circle of disturbance really large in the woods, howling, whistling, shouting lumberjack talk.(wow, i kinda feel bad when i see it written down) there are lots of bears here in romania, i've never seen one, but i have buddies who have. i'm kinda freaked out by encounering a bear with cubs, it happens sometimes... even so, i've seen a stag, a few deer and lots of chamois in my trips.
+jawbone2000 An important point -- there are times when a big circle of disturbance is a good thing! Many people, when in grizzly country, make lots of noise. It's good not to surprise some creatures!
=) Kenton
: D
I've definitely noticed that I'm more likely to see boar if I sit near one of their feeding sites and wait for them to come to me. Strangely this doesn't seem to be the case with deer, I can think of countless times when I've stumbled on a group of deer feeding, even when I'm loudly jogging, but none where a deer has approached where I am. So maybe your concept varies depending on the type of animal, I will say it's definitely more satisfying to observe an animal unseen though.
+Almus Quotch Interesting! I too seem to see more deer when I'm running in the woods than when I am walking quietly. I wonder if a human running through the woods is somehow less threatening -- sneaking, we sort of scream "hunter", while running, we are a bit odd for a human, and worth a few minutes of checking us out. After all, they probably know they can outrun anyone in the woods, so perhaps they are more confident facing a runner than a sneaker.
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity
I've been thinking about this a bit and my guess is that its to do with the time of day the animals are active. As far as I know deer are most active around dawn and dusk. Which is a time of day that I'm unlikely to just be sitting around quietly in the woods, but I do some times go for a run in the evenings.
Just a thought. It would be interesting to know if any one else has experienced this, could be useful for tracking/stalking.
+Almus Quotch Dawn and dusk is when you want to be sitting quietly in the woods. I often nod off, one of the biggest scenes used is the ear. Surprising how much noise a squirrel or small bird can make. Sometimes I am awakened by a loud buzz in my head for a brief second, it is startling. A deer can be heard coming befor you will see it. Wind direction is important. I love the cold frosty mornings, dead sclient, hard to walk quietly in frosty leaves though, you want a clean trail going to your sitting/stand.
Kentons videos alway make me thing.
sitting under the leafes shadows from the hot sun in the early morning... a weasel makes some jumps through the green-tall-shin-grass so speedy from bush to bush... awwww..
had to challenge it ahahah?
Great video. I would like to add that these disturbances are not just sound but also sight, smell and perhaps ESP as well.
So wear camo of some type. Be quiet and very importantly don't go in smelling like a city.
So think about the perfumes you have on. What did you wash your hair with? what did you wash your clothing with? What have you eaten in the last 3 days? What did you put under your arms? Are you wearing perfume? Does your breath stink of cigarettes or something really strange like kids bubble gum?
The best that you can do is to smoke yourself well after putting on clothing that was washed in a stream without soap and air dried. Then go and roll is some mud until you are wet from head to toe, then roll is nome dry grasses. At this point you will not smell so human and you will not look so human. Now all you have to do is master being quiet.
Don't talk with your hands or even move your hand, hands in pockets works well. Don't wear stiff clothing that makes a lot of noise. Skin works best.
PS getting wet is only good on hot days.
PPS for rewilduniversity. I found a new way to cook food in the winter.
ua-cam.com/video/iJQzyBqZeZc/v-deo.html
+Douglas E Knapp Great advice! Our smell is, indeed a giveaway. I've heard that if we wash our clothes with modern detergents, not only is the smell strong, but the uv protectants make our clothing almost like a beacon to the eyes of a turkey. That's why natural camo, as you described, can be so superior.
On the link -- coolest thing ever! Or hottest. In either case, I'm now more excited than ever for winter!
=) Kenton
+ReWildUniversity I looked up the turkey thing. Here is a good link: blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/tom-turkeys-terrific-vision/
So they more or less see us like we when we are seeing with a strong black light on us plus their superman vision. It is really amazing that the natives ever managed to shoot one with a bow!
Douglas E Knapp
Those turkeys are amazing -- what incredible vision . . .
I was thinking about this and remembered reading about deer seeing power lines as light. Seems deer see in UV as well!
www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/12/animals-powerlines-sky-wildlife
Douglas E Knapp
Makes one realize how much of the world is invisible to us with our eyes that see only such a small sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum. I think it's something like 400-700 nanometers, while the spectrum itself ranges from waves as tall as skyscrapters to waves smaller than atoms (and probably bigger and smaller than we know). I like to think of it as 99.99999999% of the world being invisible to our senses.
=) Kenton
Watch out for bears and moose when switching circles.
+Bobby Harper Great thing to remember. Sometimes when you switch circles, you get up-close-and-personal with some of the larger denizens of the woods . . .
=) Kenton
about a month ago I was out bow hunting for deer and I noticed each time I went I was able to relax myself quicker and basically become invisible in my tree stand quicker i also truly believe that we all share consciousness and if you go out there in project the intent of hunting you will see less animals but if you go out there in project just sitting out there and relaxing you will see more animals that's just another aspect of it but definitely I had an experience I had two nice size does walk right underneath me it excited me so much that I shot foolishly and my arrow bounced off the deer's head did not even cut her she ran about 15 feet turned trying to find me in the tree as I reached for another arrow out of my quiver she saw me and started stomping her hoof on the ground and hissing at me... needless to say I went home with a frown on my face that day,,, actually no I didn't I went home with a big smile on my face because I got within 5 feet of a female deer two of them actually when I took the shot I was a mere 12 feet away from a deer quartering away just perfect and I got so excited my heart was racing so hard that I forgot to concentrate and take the shot properly I pulled the string of the bow to my stomach and released it lol hence the Miss I hunted probably 35 times since opening day and I saw and learned a lot about squirrels and chipmunks :-) and I did get close to several deer....
+jesse “jess” rush Great story! Oh yes, hunting does indeed get us in touch with parts of ourselves we don't often encounter! This story seems like it ended well for both you and the deer!
=) Kenton
Work the wind...and BE QUIET!!!
Well said, Brian =)
There are two things which make us REALLY stand out in the woods. We are the only bipeds, thus we LOOK and SOUND far different than other animals. The other is the human voice. Which is Soooooo out of place in the woods. Being short and whispering makes the circle a LOT smaller.
Absolutely, Pete. Two very important points!! =)
I used this trick and saw 3 deer just standing right in front of me I was amazed that I could even be that close to a animal and it not run away
+Christopher Quintanilla Wow! Thanks for sharing! Really cool when we get those close encounters . . .
=) Kenton
Jon young and tom brown would approve …….. I’m a fox walker matching the Rhythm of nature…. Not man
=) Such a world we enter when we no longer walk like a human . . .
I will use this video when commenting on the craziness of down votes!!! lol
Ha! Thanks!!!
=) Kenton