My problem is with mosquitoes, ticks with Lyme disease, and rattlesnakes. (I've had close calls with rattlesnakes) In Brazil, leafcutter ants took out an entire bush near our tent overnight. They were huge and red, but harmless. When we went into a city, I saw a tiny black ant crawl on my leg. It bit my knee. It was incredibly painful for three days. Oh, above Yosemite Valley, I went into the wilderness there. I was taking photos of clear blue rapids... There was a swarm of flies coming towards me. I didn't think much of it, until they started biting me. I've never had any problems with coyotes, deer, elk, mountain lions, skunks, sharks, etc... And I have great pictures. I guess my problem is with the venomous creatures.
I go into the forest at night to be alone. it's one of my favorite places. I understand there are other animals out there, but since they leave me alone i feel like i'm alone. it is peaceful and very enjoyable. it is definitely something that gets easier as you do it more and more. the first couple times i was a little nervous because of wildlife living there, but you get used to it real quick. edit: the woods i'm talking about are in Maine, USA, where i have lived my whole life.
Great video! Sometimes the little things are the most annoying - ticks, mosquitoes... I live in forest and do sleep out in summer sometimes but with my partner - he has enough inner beast to protect both of us! Round here the only worry would be wild boar and snakes - but they won't bother two sleeping humans. (I agree about the owls - I love to hear the screech owls.) What is wonderful is going to sleep either in moonlight or pitch black, and being woken up by the sunrise. Fantastic!
Oh yes, those moonlit nights! So enchanting. And to have the sun wake you up, the light filtering through the trees or cracking over the horizon. Beautiful!!!!
I love being in the woods most of the time. Even at night. Critters don't really bother me. And even though I enjoy watching lightning, especially in the desert, I get nervous during thunderstorms. Wind, heavy rain, and lightning can ruin a day. Another great video;)
Oh yes -- lightning can be SUCH a powerful teacher. I remember a few nights where the storm was so upon me that I could feel the thunder in the ground. It's sometimes invoked a sort of total surrender. I know I can't fight the lightning, so I sort of "die" in the moment, not clinging to the desire to live. It's made for some mystical moments late at night with the lightning flashing! =)
I agree 100% When I was very new to backpacking I went to the Smokies for a 3 day 3 night solo trip. It was the first time I had gone backpacking in an area that had any sizeable black bear population. I was very afraid of being attacked by a black bear most of the time. The fear was the worst part of the trip. About 75% of the time I literally was thinking that a bear was just gonna jump out and tackle me and rip me to shreds. I was concerned this fear was gonna always stay with me and make it not pleasurable for me to go out in the woods. After that trip, I learned more about bears. I learned how uncommon an attack is. I learned how to avoid bear encounters. I continued going out. The fear subsided each trip. As far as the unleashing the beast part, I've had an experience with that and now just carry that mindset with me on reserve so to speak. If you do get extremely unlucky and get confronted by a wild animal, you want to be able to tap into that inner beast. The animal will sense this. It will most definitely realize that you are a strong human and it will become the one in fear and run away. I think if you just simply deal with all of your food in a responsible way all of the time, animals simply won't come around you. Don't eat in your tent and hang your food appropriately from a tree a good ways from your shelter.
Just came across this video (2 years too late) and it made me smile... Here is the million dollar question... why do we all feel safe and secure in our hammock on a wilderness campsite, with only a tiny 2 foot high mesh fence between ourselves and the dark forest, but step outside of that boundary and suddenly the night sounds become terrifying monsters :) And I'm loving all the talk of bears!!!! Here in Europe the most dangerous creature that we are likely to encounter is a rabbit with a bad attitude... Oh, and Homo Sapiens, which in all honesty I find the most terrifying... Great channel, subscribed and looking forward to seeing your other videos.
Richard, that is a powerful question you've asked, and it points out that our fears aren't often about actual things, but rather are reactions we've learned over time -- and those reactions can be unlearned. Thank you for your subscription, by the way. I really appreciate it! I hope you get a lot out of the other videos! =) Kenton
I can confirm that "beast mode" works incredibly well with aggressive dogs like you guys said in the comments. I've had 3-4 aggressive dogs that had attacked a few people in my neighborhood circle me and test me out. For me that image of my "beast form" is fearless, calm, collected and intelligent "caveman version" of myself. When those dogs where gathering around me I instinctively went into that, calmly assessing the situation, my heartbeat raising with what felt like adrenaline instead of fear because I'd need to move fast and efficiently, looked at what "tools" I could use around me, my keys, rocks, sticks, and getting ready to literally rip those dogs apart with my hands if it came to that. Without me having to do anything other than take a few certain steps towards my destination the dogs could certainly feel they'd have to work really hard for me and it would not go down well, and that alone was enough for them to keep a distance. They still barked and were aggressive but they stayed closer to each other and kept a safe distance from me. A slightly related question to this video, I don't know where else to post it, but do you have any experiences with snakes and walking barefoot in the woods? We have a lot of vipers in my area and I was wondering what your experiences have been with snakes. The biggest concern with snakes is accidentally stepping on them but my gut feeling says that the snake doesn't want to be stepped on and will tend to move before that happens, yet the fear of other people around me combined with our primal fears of snakes (we turned them into fire breathing dragons and the literal Devil after all) is causing me some concern. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with it, as most people will just say "wear high ankle boots and look down where you're stepping" but you have a much better approach of "walk barefoot and look ahead" :P
That's awesome with the dogs! My experiences almost exactly! With the snakes, I have something to offer, but trust your own knowledge over mine, as I haven't lived in an area with venomous snakes. Also note that I'm a snake lover -- Rebecca and I used to keep a numbers of snakes and would do snake education programs at schools and libraries. With all of that in mind, I'll relate my one similar experience, in the southwest United States where there are a number of venomous snakes living in the desert. I was exploring in desert-y areas, and everyone had told me not go barefoot -- not only for the snakes, but for the various prickles and spines that plants dropped onto the ground. I of course ignored these warnings =) And it was fine. I think that often, when people are wearing shoes, they just plow through stuff. When they end up picking cacti thorns out of their boots, they then assume that if they were barefoot, they'd be picking those thorns out of their feet. But as you know, we walk very differently when barefoot, and are more aware of our environment. If there were vipers? I too would have pause, especially as I have no experience with your environment. But I'd like to think that as I gained more experience, you and I would start to venture out barefoot and we'd be just fine. We'd first spend some time paying attention to where we encounter vipers. Do they just sit on a trail? Or do they stay in the shadows? Do we tend to encounter them when they are out sunning? Or does it just seem random? All of those observations would then tell us where we have to apply more awareness when walking barefoot. Then we'd do some risk/benefit analysis. How often do we encounter vipers, and how likely do we honestly think it is that we'd have a negative encounter? And how much pleasure do we get from being barefoot over shod when hiking? As I'm sure you know, people tend to incorrectly assess risks and benefits. They will drive to the beach, and then worry about getting eaten by a shark (they were in much more danger when driving to the beach). So learning about your particular species and doing your own observations, you'll be able to make an accurate analysis and decide for yourself whether the risk is worth it or not. I'd love to hear more about your journey with this, by the way! With love, Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity Yeah that makes a lot of sense to me, learn about them and observe what's happening. People here (I live in Nafpaktos, Greece) are very aggressive and fearful towards snakes although I haven't heard of anyone getting bitten in ages. But because there's a lot of nature around and within the town vipers often find themselves in houses and we have a few venomous species, so there's a lot of fear and hatred towards them. I love snakes too I find them very beautiful creatures and super useful at keeping the rat population under control of which we have a bigger problem since we're killing all the snakes... What's interesting is that we're in November but due to the climate changing it's still really hot so a lot of snakes are still out when they should be hibernating by this time of the year. People say they're more aggressive because their cycle is off, but people say all kinds of things :P From my experience, without knowing that vipers are still out and about, I walked barefoot in the woods and in a dried up creek full of big rocks and stones that vipers would love to stay under, and I didn't even see a single one. My mother saw one crossing the street though, so I'll definitely have to educate myself more about them and see their behavioral patterns! Will keep you updated :)
@@alexanderkarayann So interesting! I appreciate you keeping me updated -- this sounds like it will be an educational journey! I suppose in things like this, we also learn a lot about human beings, and even about ourselves! =)
The woods were, are and will always be a soothing and wonderful place to come to. Especially, when the stress of modern life takes overhand. I am very happy to live in a suburban area that is surrounded by so many forests and fields. All the best to you Kenton
I 'll share a humorous story. I was camping up along the Lolo Trail in Idaho right next to a lake, and during the night I kept hearing splashing noises and felt the thumping of several large animals nearby ( I was sleeping on a rock outcropping). As the noises got closer I freaked out, grabbed my flashlight and jumped out of my sleeping bag screaming. What I heard next was the sound of thundering hooves and small trees being crushed in a stampede. As my light swept the forest I saw the tail end of a small herd of elk running at break neck speed down the hill headed for the Montana border.
very intereting ,so true that human are generally afraid of the unknow or unfamiliar , my first overnights in solo out in naturein a national park with wolves i didnt sleep at all always on alert mode , the first time i feel confortable was with a fire to give heat a bit of light and it is known that wild animals dont come too close of a fire .but it was not in a national park that time because fire are forbidden inside the park .i love the idea of the inner beast and the heritage of our ancestors hunting skills to give us confidence , great advice , thanks. may the force be with you my friend!
I remember my first solo outing too. It was on an island, and I heard deer making their alarm snorts. I had never heard the sound before, and it was SO scary. I had to get brave enough to step out of my tent and see what it was, and was so relieved to find that the "monster" was just a few deer!
Just 2 weeks ago the chaga video inspired me to go out and try to find some chaga. I was not even sure if it grows in my area, but it looked familiar to me. I walked along a trail I know and before long I was out for hours bouncing birch tree to birch tree. I was hanging on my last thread of hope when finally I found a patch of chaga growing on a dead tree. I sawed off a little chunk and started on my way back. It soon occurred to me that I was a lot farther off the path then I thought, and it was getting darker and darker. I was completely disoriented with my directions and very lost. This is the first time I ever felt "afraid of the woods". I was never in any real danger because I knew the wooded area was surrounded by long roads on all sides. But after a small worry attack, I found the trail again and eventually made it out. I came out of this wondering how the heck does Kenton manage the night so easily 😄
Getting lost is the subject of another video, I think! We sometimes secretly get our forest monks "lost" on purpose, so they can experience that panic that often comes. Even very experienced woods-folk will feel it. It's a "mapping" part of our brain that always wants to know where it is. When it doesn't, it goes into high alert =)
I've found the same thing. Dogs are the only animals I've had negative encounters with, and bringing out the "inner beast" has always kept them at bay.
I am not so afraid of the animals around here in Germany, but the hunters mistaken me for a deer ;) The most dangerous animal you could encounter would be a wild pig. Most people are afraid of the wolfs, which came back a few years ago. But they are not very big and pretty scared of humans. For me everytime I enter the forrest, I can feel my senses spreading. Once I walked a bit inside, i stop. Close my eyes, calm my breathing, and start to listen in every direction. Then I try to smell and feel the wind. This is like my ritual when walking through the forrest. After that I´m calm and there is no fear.
Wow! I have a ritual like that too! It brings me so in tune with my environment, and I become more aware of the smells and sounds and visuals that give me clues to what the ecosystem holds.
There’s a reason there’s NO dislikes on this video (I think this is the first video I’ve ever seen without any!) you are very genuine and just straightforward. I’m getting over fear of the woods so I can get to my hunting spot sooner in the mornings, thank you for the insight.
I love the wilderness, so needless to say I'm quite at home being in the woods alone (i.e hiking, bird-watching, etc.) But your advice has made me want to go back to the wilderness even more to try it out for myself.
I went on my first solo night hike into camp a few months ago. It was only a few miles, but I am very afraid of the woods, usually. I surprised myself with how calm I was. I live in Chicago and camp mostly in the Midwest. My headlamp lit up so many possum and raccoon that I got over my fear of seeing them in the dark. Mostly! I even saw a deer at night for the first time. I'm going to go out solo more and this was a great help. Thanks!
This is awesome Chris! That you ventured into something that is (or was once) fearful, and found such adventure -- that's IT! Thanks for sharing this -- I hope it can inspire others to do the same! Love, Kenton =)
I have a few stories to share about this topic. One I might have already shared in the channel before, but here it goes... 1 - in my college city, there were woods around the campus were I loved to roam around alone. except when there were some big spider webs with big emerald spiders on them. Rationally, and as a biology student, I knew they were harmless, but was still really scared, to the point that the fear was crippling my enjoyment of the woods. So I though about it, and being a very "visceral" kinda guy, decided to let one bite me. I bravely took one big off of a web with my bare hands, and the spider just tried to flee. I messed with it, teasing it to bite me. No dice. So, still in need of a visceral experience, I decided to eat it. Whole, raw and maybe even alive, to destroy my fear. Couldn't muster up enough courage to do it alive, being more coward than most animals, but after I stoned it, up it went. Tasty actually. Couldn't feel any harm afterwards, and the fear never came back. 2 - Another story, later when I was working in the Amazon rainforest, I was always temped by the night to roam in the woods. Bear in mind that it was REALLY THE AMAZON. Big snakes, spiders, bobcats (our "onças pintadas") were routinely sighted in the area. But venturing near the installations for short moments was safe. I remember the darkness, the silence, the sounds, and when using my headlamp, the eyes of so many spiders and other criters on the ground watching me... fearing me. Miss those days.
Two powerful experiences Felipe! Wow! I don't think you shared those stories before, and I was glad to hear them. Awesome that you could "go into your fears" so powerfully, and come out with a new perspective!!
Fear is an excellent tool, it's hard to know when to ignore it. However, what you said about familiarity couldn't be more true. Once the source of fear is understood, it simply becomes caution.
Thank you Kenton once again. I've been extraordinarily busy the past couple months with work, studying and such so I haven't been able to keep up with your videos. Now things have calmed down I am more able to spend time watching your content and spending time outdoors, especially with the weather warming up where I live. I have always been drawn to the idea of just leaving everything behind and living far away in the northern woods, its unfortunate because doing that is so hard with all the regulations and rules. Where I live you can't even build a fire without a little thing saying you can, and that's how the world is now. Every little thing you do you need a little card or certificate saying you can do that, I HATE IT. as a kid I lived in the woods. My parents owned a large piece of land FULL of wilderness, that is where I spent most of my time. I lived by my own rules, I still do, and I want everyone to do the same. School was the shittiest, I only went to spend time with my friends, my grades were never good but I am doing okay in life, I'm making good enough income, and that's also how the world is - Money. I remember being in middle school and high school, I remember getting a kick out of playing pranks on everyone and doing stupid crap with my friends. Sneaking into certain areas of the school that were off limits, getting into trouble. To me that's all school was about, that still is. Of course without little rules and regulations the world would be full of anarchy and we would destroy ourselves, but seriously all these little signs saying you cant go here, or you cant do this unless your certified, or you must take a course to do this, that also brings us to destroy ourselves, I don't hate the government, I don't hate my country. I am a patriot but the way the entire world is right now, everyone knows it is only a matter of time before civilization falls. When it does what will people even do? the minds of our children are being poisoned by all this crap, and if you hurt someones feelings there is uproar. Some kids who live in huge cities might never even get to spend time in the wilderness, some kids will never spend a night outside. Hell I don't think a city dweller could even catch a fish. Anyway I am ranting but it is really unfortunate how humans went from "Will I get to eat today" to "Will I get a like on my latest selfie today." Nobody has to work for anything, and by work I don't mean getting a job and making money, I mean learning to fend for yourself and learning to hunt, fish, grow food, build shelter, and expand territory. This is how the world works today: Grow up, learn to walk -> Time to go to school Go to school -> Time to make money Wanna make money? Okay -> Get a 9-5 job all week and drink and play video games on the weekend Drink and play video games on the weekend, oh no not making much money -> Work more Work more -> Retire and live miserably in an old folks home Live miserably in an old folks home -> Die having no impact on the world Anyway I wanted to thank you for your uplifting and inspiring videos, they really help me to know that there are some people out here in this place called earth who still actually have a brain that belongs to themselves, and its very nice to see all these other people in the comments sharing the events of their lives and past days as well. With much love and respect -Tissie
Tissie, I can understand your frustration. I remember once hearing that in the U.S., we create 40,000 new laws every year. I believe in people, and think we could work well with less rules, especially when it goes so far that you aren't able to go out into nature and have a campfire. We're missing something vital in the human experience when that's not available to us. You summed up the human life scenario for most of us pretty well. And I know people want to break free of that. I hope these videos can share some methods of how to do that. Always good to hear from you my friend. Keep up the mischief! Love, Kenton =)
Really enjoyed this video. I used to have a strong fear of the dark in nature. But I eventually discovered that it was not the wild animals I feared but instead the wild animals in my mind instead. I had several encounters with bears over the years including a mama with 2 cubs but in all of them the bear just watched me while I kept on hiking and it felt like as long as I respected it the bear would respect me. Each time I did not feel any fear. It was these encounters that helped me realize I did not fear nature but instead I was just afraid of the bear that lived in my mind.
On one of a few canoe trips this past summer, my daughter and I had an encounter with a white tail deer at night, it stomped and blew for a while almost directly in the camp area, my daughter said it shook her tent. We apparently had set up camp in its regular travel route. We didn't make it to the next official camp site and had to bush camp along the river edge. Camping along a water way is almost guaranteed to cause a beaver to slap its warning, repeatedly, this also happened the night with the deer. Yes, we are apex and all creatures know this, yet we have also a built in "fear" which is in place for a reason. Logic over rules this and conditioning as you point out is the answer. I am still enjoying the podcast.
I have agoraphobia(my house is my only safe place and i dont leave the house without a bicycle) im extra scared of the woods beacuse of blair witch movie, and i had a lot of dogs attack me, so before this trauma i couldve went outside into the woods at 3AM but now after dog incidents im afraid of going into the forest at 12PM, i have been traumatised so much that i when im out i always make sure that i get home 2 hours before dark, one night my friend refused to walk with me home and i was too relaxed that i thought he would walk with me home, so he just left me, it was 10PM and i was standing there looking at the road with one dim light( i had to pass this road to get to my home) i was trying 20 minutes to break this large stick from the tree next to me. Finally i passed my heart was pumping so fast. And then i saw 2 big dogs on the road looking at me, we were 30 meters apart. I was so scared i started walking back. But instead of the dogs to attack me they ran in fear. Those were some big dogs they could probably destroy me. But they were scared. So i speedwalked to my home before the 20 of them come to attack me(there were Alot of dogs in the woods next to there) i didnt leave my home for 20 days. Please help, how can i get rid of this dog phobia Edit: only one dog attacked me 3 times but the dogs from the forest are scared, also this dog that attacked me is not from the forest he is an adopted dog, beacuse of him im scared of every singld dog i see, before his attacks i would pet every single dog i see, my life is ruined.
My friend, the first and most important thing here is that you are aware of your fear, and have a real desire to shift it. To begin, you recognize what the Blair Witch movie did to your mentality, which tells you to just cut those kinds of things out of your life. Once we recognize what media does to our mind (and how lasting its effects can be), we can more wisely choose what media we want to put into us. I try to remember that if I put a movie or song or whatever into my mind, it's a permanent addition that will shape my mind forever more. That tends to get me to make better choices =) Now on to the dog fear. First, acknowledge that you had a real experience, and that dogs can indeed be dangerous. For me, it's the animal that I'm most concerned about meeting, whether I am in the woods or in more populated areas. However, you've also noticed that the truth is that most dogs won't be aggressive to you. I've met hundreds, and have only had a handful be unreasonably aggressive. Some are "barkers", being aggressive from a safe distance (sometimes only a few feet away), but most are scared of me or disinterested, while many run up and want to be pet or play. Next, we can learn to project confidence. This is tough when we feel so frightened. It often requires us to do some exposure therapy. Ideally, you might go to an animal rescue shelter and talk to someone there who seems like they are compassionate. Make your goal be to volunteer there as a dog walker, but make sure the person working with you is willing to take things slowly and make sure the dogs you walk are safe. Right now, before you get the courage to do that, watch some videos or research how to deal with aggressive dogs and how to read their "body language" (scan the videos first to make sure they aren't being dramatic by showing or talking about horror stories -- you don't need any more of that). The idea is to get familiar with dogs, with how they communicate, and how they react when aggressive. You can not only learn some "self defense" against them, but learn how to de-escalate them. Take it slowly, but as you learn and explore, you might find a confidence building inside of you. And when that confidence is projected in how you walk and hold yourself, even aggressive dogs will see you less as "prey" and more as something to be wary of. As a father and just all-around protector type, I routinely step between a stranger dog and whoever I'm with. I just project tons of confidence (and if the dog did attack, I know it wouldn't go well for the dog - of course, I can never actually say how a fight would end up, but that's the level of confidence I put forth), and ever since I started doing that, I haven't had any attacks (I, too, was attacked by a dog, though it was in my single-digit years). This is a general approach to fears -- to gently and lovingly educated yourself and expose yourself. In your case things are far enough along that you might want to consider a professional who might give you additional tools, but if you try these things, you might be surprised. Are you willing to try to become a volunteer dog walker at your local humane society? Please keep me updated! With love, Kenton =)
Very good video. I love being out in the woods. It's a lot less scary than a city! I do get startled by loud or sudden noises. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a dear jumped up a few feet in front of me. I had no idea it was there and had apparently startled it. Such quick, high jumps as it ran away and disappeared! Hawks have been screaming at me every day as I'm collecting maple sap. Definitely loud but not too scary-it's what they do. Yesterday I kept hearing a little different almost conversational sounding squawking high up in the trees. I kept looking up and spotted a bulky mess of twigs and stuff near the top of a tree about ten feet from one of the ones we had tapped. By then I was closer to their nest and didn't hear the "conversation" any more. I did see one hawk fly in, light on the nest, disappear briefly and fly off again. Not sure, but I think the "conversation" had to do with building the nest which I'm sure is new. We don't need to fear nature but we do need to respect it! Skunks! Storms! Temperature extremes. You name it. Nature can make us uncomfortable if we're not prepared for what we meet out there and knowledge (and using what we know) is a big part of being prepared. Being prepared can make a huge difference in our experience.
While camping alone in nature outdoors I discovered some masculine qualities about myself that I never knew! I especially realized I can be calm and feel powerful when danger is around. Nature is truly a great teacher. Got a question though...any advice on finding a girlfriend to go on epic long journey nature outdoor adventures? It would make for a truly romantic relationship.
Nicholas, that's a great definition of masculinity -- and one many of us men aren't capable of! As for finding a woman who can share that sort of journey, your best bet is probably finding groups of adventurers near you -- universities often have outings open to the public, there might be Meetups, or FB groups that are devoted to adventuring in your area. I'm thinking climbing groups, hiking groups, historical reenactment camping groups, etc. I hope you find that special someone Nicholas!!
I’m a 45 year old man, and I’m scared of the forest at night, specifically when no one is around you and it gets so dark you can’t even see your hand. I carry my gun on my hip when I hunt, but what scares me is not knowing what is in there. There’s been over a thousand hunters missing, they go missing in strange ways. There’s certain areas like the Bermuda Triangle that’s unexplained. Some say there’s forest Native American cursed for us to go crazy and can’t find our selves out. Some say possible abductions. There’s a good documentary called The Missing 411 The Hunted. Maybe I believe things like this cuz when I was 19 years old myself and two friends saw something we were in shock, it wasn’t normal. If you tell people they’ll say you were just high and you imagined it. It’s hard to say that when the 3 of us saw it. We asked each other if we seen that? I also felt I was cursed to see what I saw cuz my grandma use to tell me about these things and I just thought she was old fashioned and people like her would see something but think or imagine something that it wasn’t. I never thought she was crazy I guess I just didn’t really took it serious. I believe! I’m not embarrassed
Oh, and talking about peoples' inner beast was GREAT! I go deep into the woods to bring that out. I work in video games and design and write heroic fantasy. So, I need to experience adrenaline rushes and danger every once in a while.
I've been wanting to do a video on video games for a while. I feel like they have enormous potential to awaken the "adventuring spirit" in people. Although I often speak out against them because of their potential to addict people, I also realize that video games, role playing games, and fantasy novels where the very thing that gave me my desire for adventure and exploration. I owe a lot to them, and feel they have enormous power to inspire us.
@@ReWildUniversity They do inspire people! That's my goal when I design or write. But I need to draw from reality when I create. My karate experience and crazy hiking adventures around the world have been great. I can't imagine trying to create heroic fantasy while being a 250lb couch potato. Look at the biography of Louis Lamour. Survived the great depression, went on cattle drives, worked in mines, worked in logging, herded elephants, fought in WW2 as a Captain, traveled the world is a merchant seaman, survived a ship wreck... This guy had adventures! And his books became John Wayne movies!
@@ReWildUniversity Yes! Imagine the people Louis L'amour worked along side. Real heroes who battled nature and Nazis. If you weren't the toughest, you'd have to quit or you'd probably die. There are no excuses you can make in a life like his. It's all live or die most of the time. He can draw from his own experiences or the people around him. It would be amazing just to talk to some of these people. I've tried to live an exciting life, but it's about 10% of what he has gone through.
Lots of people in the comment section are worried about lymes. Im worried too. I once talked to a lady who couldnt go to church because the ceiling fans gave her seizures due to lymes. Looking at your replies, it seems like it isnt that bad... Could you do a video on it please! I think we would all like one! Cover misconceptions, prevention, treatment, etc. Thanks!
Raye, I'll consider doing a video on Lyme. I've had it four times, and known a lot of people who have had it, so maybe I could add a bit of knowledge to things! =) Kenton
Thank you for this.. very powerful and so true. I am scared of the dark.. and I think.. "come get me I am ready.." or sometimes I just pull the blanket over my head and all good. haha!
Considering I was a boyscout in my youth, is educated as a natureguide and been working in the forest for 10+ years. It's not much that scares me in the northern hemisphere. The things that makes me nervous are the things that don't live here usually. Like sharks, crocs, tigers and that portuguese man-of-war (ya know, the jellyfish). Otherwise the forest is safer than your average town with all the traffic and crazy people. The most common injury you can get in the woods are a sprung ankle or broken bone, which you 9 out of 10 times caused by being reckless yourself. Otherwise I have the worst of luck seeing the cool stuff. My co-workers once saw an elk cubb so newly born it still had blood on the fur. But I was gone to get the car and saw nothing. Another time an elk came crashing through the forest and ran right between my co-workers when they had lunchbreak. Yet again I was somewhere else. We've seen bear three times I think and I one time I was actually there. It was maybe 200 meters away in the powerline and I and my co-workers was sitting on an hilltop. This is a picture from one of the times I wasn't there, picture was taken by one of my co-workers. instagram.com/p/BoBe_oBnYq3zDfWXMDE9AFvCdoQMmsJ5o0BdYc0/?igshid=9musmx1htox4
Very nice! I will surley try your strategy The problem is that I live in eastern europe, were we still have a lot of shepards... with big dogs that will actually bite you really bad ( once there were 2 dogs that just charged my car while I was driving. They tried somehow to bite my doors --I never said that they were smart).
Dude! Can I just say... I found your website first and I’ve now watched almost all of your videos (up until recently I haven’t really had access to UA-cam) You are the nicest, coolest dude I’ve ever not met! We share so much in common and your videos are so inspireing! My partner, my self and my baby are moving into our bus in a few months and taking on a really non conventional lifestyle and your videos prepared me perfectly for making the most and embracing nature, living with less. I can’t find you on Instagram but we are @thefolkfamilybus I look forward to more of your videos and I will recommend you to everyone! Stay real! Stay well! From Kitty (Australia )
Kitty, I'm SO excited about this upcoming adventure. And with your baby! That's so awesome! Imagine all the incredible experiences to come. Way to go, living wild and free!! Love to you and your family!!! Kenton =)
I had no idea some people fear the woods? Interesting... Only thing I fear in the woods around here is city folk during hunting season Haha. Seriously though, I never really thought of that being a thing. I guess fear of the unknown and movies like Friday the 13th probably don't help people who only know city life. I agree with mr. Rewild, find a friend/relative who know the woods and just go. Go every chance you can.
I think if people understand human nature, they also understand animal nature. A bully will tend to attack the meek or vulnerable. An extremely fearful person will attack just like a cornered (thus very fearful) animal will (even a tiny squirrel will bite you in an attempt to save it's own life) . Fear is an instinctual response and animals can smell it (so to speak) just like people can notice it in others. Humans are clearly the greatest predators on earth and animals evolved to be wary of such a threat (for the most part they try to avoid us). Animals have the same fight or flight response as we humans do, so I think we should treat potentially threatening circumstances the same, be it human of animal. Just like you said Kenton, don't let them smell fear on you, but also don't go so far to be aggressive which will insight fear in them, where their instincts compels them to attack (self preservation instinct). When I was about 12 years old I got in between a big black bear and her cubs (I was walking on a trail with thick brush on each side where the bears were). I was startled from a loud thump (maybe 20 feet away) and then I noticed a big black bear standing up and staring at me from 50 feet away. Then I heard the cubs crying from the other side of the trail, but I never took my eyes off of the imminent threat (mother bear). I must have been in instinctual mode, because I wasn't doing anything until I saw how the bear would react first. The bear eventually dropped down and took a wide circle to her cubs and then I got the hell out of there. Had I just blindly ran away might not have ended so well. I have ran into a few bears, cougars, coyotes, moose and the only instances where they didn't run away instantly was mother bear with cubs and 1 moose was a little too fearless for comfort. I think we tend to assume all animals have the same temperament, even though we know most humans are safe and a few are abnormally aggressive/dangerous. Animals are the same as humans regarding instincts (we are way more instinctual than most people would like to admit). The bottom line is that there are some dangerous animals in the woods and in society. If a person lives in a city (high concentration of people, thus part of the instinctual animal world), they have nothing to fear placing themselves in the woods (much lower concentration of animals, thus less likely to come across a rogue animal that might want to harm them). People can learn a lot about themselves by watching raw animal instincts in the wild, because we evolved from the same innate instincts. We have cognitive processes which can override some of our instincts, but those aren't strong in all people and I doubt anyone can override all of them, nor should we want to, because they are much of who we are. We just need to learn how to override the nasty ones, just like that very rare wild bear that is hell bend on eating you. Most will run away due to their natural fear of humans. Logically the pitch blackness of the forest is safer than the bright city light at night. As always, great advise Kenton.
As usual, you sum up my very thoughts. That's quite an experience you had with that bear, by the way!! You're seeing that animals are individuals. So true! There is "standard" behavior, but that's just a baseline, as it is for humans -- individuals will usually deviate to a lower or higher degree from that baseline. I especially appreciated your description of the role of fear in all of this, and how a fear response or an aggressive response both can invoke violence. It was so well said by you! Thanks as always for your presence here my friend =)
My fear is snakes. The only snakes I've come across on my property are garter snakes, although I've been in the woods and seen some larger snakes. Something about them just freaks me out. I'm trying to accept them but it's a slow process.
I can understand this one! Rebecca and I used to keep snakes, and we'd take them to libraries and schools to do programs that helped people overcome that fear. It's powerful in a lot of us. Keep it up -- they are marvelous creatures and I think the day you catch your first one and hold it (the garter snake will "skunk" you with a yellow smelly poop, but it washes off eventually =) will be so liberating!
Here in the northeastern US about the only things that worry me in the woods are other people (but not all that much) and deer ticks. In other parts of the country I'd be wary - but not afraid - of venomous snakes. I think camping in grizzly country would make me pretty nervous.
I’m a deer hunter and for some reason I just can’t get over running into a mountain lion or pack of coyotes or somethin. Almost got smoked by a deer I spooked up a couple hours before light as well. All gets me and I don’t know why
Hello friend. For some reason during the day, my biggest fear is if a dog is not a leash because I walk with my 2 dogs. 1 is on a leash and the other is for obvious reasons. And i get worried that mia, the one not on the leash, will get in a fight with another dog. But other than that, I'm completing goals of going farther on my own. Without my brother. Lol.
Nice! And that's a legitimate fear -- the domesticated dog is one of the most dangerous animals we can encounter. Still, we can learn to "read" them very well (which you are probably already very good at), and I bet you have a way of soothing them, too =)
I can understand. At the same time, I can promise there is wonder and adventure out there waiting if you explore those fears! Not easy, but you can do it!!! =)
We love the wood day or dark. Spent many nights walking out after a long hunt. However I am never without a Sidearm. I have been surrounded by wolves once and have seen a Cougar take down a deer one. I rather them big Apex predators not be giving the opportunity to get close enough to cause death or harm to me. I be more scared to swim on the Ocean. No, not for me at all.
The ocean can be SO scary for people. And yet such wonders! So good to hear you all love the woods so much -- your love of nature shows in your daughter's videos!!
I have slept outside before. The area I slept in(according to my monkey mind) was filling with rabid wolves. The way I finally got to sleep was this; I decided that if I was to face a rabid wolf It would be prudent to get some sleep so that I was “prepared for combat”. After making that decision I was much more relaxed. I then focused on the sensation of my breath until I fell asleep.
Nice. You found a way to calm that part of our brain that some people call "primitive" but I'd call the "frightened civilized" brain. You tapped into something ancestral -- that calm sense of power that is innate inside of us, hidden under all these civilized fears. Inspiring Ian! =) Kenton
Kenton, I am not afraid of the predators, but I am terrified of a tiny tick. My biggest fear is getting Lyme disease. Here in southeast Pennsylvania we have the highest rate of Lymes disease in the country. How do I overcome this fear? This is relatively recent. I never even thought about it until all of the awareness campaigns, which is a good thing. I’m ok in the winter, but spring will be here soon and I want to get out in the woods more often, and especially in the nice weather.
Aaron Wow! Thank you so much for the info. I’m so glad to hear that the doxy worked relatively well. Some people need to be on a combination of antibiotics for a lot longer. Good thing you went to the hospital as soon as you started feeling symptoms. Good luck on the upcoming four-month adventure and good luck on the hike as well. You have definitely inspired me because you did not let the disease stop you from going back into the woods. Let us know how it goes!
Anthony, that's a viable fear. Lyme is not fun, as Aaron can attest to. I've had it four times! Doxy each time, but I always insist on 28 days. The docs don't like to give out that much, but it's what I used the first time, and it's worked each time. I couldn't believe it when they gave Aaron only 10 days. And sure enough, he got sick again shortly thereafter. As for prevention, our family does a religious whole-body (check all the cracks!) check every night. That's kept us Lyme free since we started it.
Alan, I do, although for each one, my desire is usually to welcome them in close to me. I love close animal encounters! For "prey" species, I tend to become as rock or tree-like as possible, so as not to give off any predator energy that might scare them away. For small predators that can't hurt me, like a fox or coyote, I often become like prey, hoping to draw them in closer. For larger predators, I try to become an "equal", so that they don't fear me, but also don't see me as something to nibble upon =)
I'm a trail runner and as fall is taking place... i had to turn around twice due to fear of wild animal encounter... today i seen a freshly killed hair in the middle of the trail a was running.... i guess it was just dropped by an animal scared of the bear bell 🔔 i have on me.... i could keep going instead of 1h40 min run i was only able to do 35min... 😔
when I go camping alone I am not afraid of the wildlife but I am afraid of people. There is no easy way to justify why but the feeling of not knowing who I can hear or not knowing where they are makes my heart race. I am 17 years old and have been camping for a while with family but have taken it upon myself to start camping alone. In the uk the wildlife is very tame which puts me at ease when camping but unidentifiable noises put me on a primal level of fear. The thought of laying in my hammock and hearing distant voices puts me off camping. I wish I could overcome this somehow but I haven’t yet done so. Have you got any tips to overcome my fear? Many thanks.
I can totally understand, my friend. Actually, humans are probably my biggest concern as well, especially when camping in very out-of-the-way places. There are a couple of things you could do to mitigate this. The first, and probably most useful and important, would be to recondition your mind in regards to humans. Our media and much "modern wisdom" consistently tells us that humans are basically evil creatures out to do harm. The reality is that although there are deviants, most people are basically good. Read a book like "Tribe" that will tell a more realistic story of how people behave in very difficult circumstances, read thegoodnewsnetwork.org each day as your news source, and you'll hear about people helping other people, and in your daily life, step out of your own way in order to help people out. I've found that when I do a good deed for a stranger, I often get to see through the superficial veil they are wearing and discover a very kind person right beneath. Then, while you recondition your mind to a more realistic viewpoint of human beings, prepare for those possible deviants by learning some high-quality martial arts. My personal recommendation is BJJ, catch wrestling, or some other groundfighting technique. I could do into depth about why I'd recommend that over a striking art, but that would be a small book =) However, if you add a striking art to the BJJ, you're golden. If you have no other options, there is now some really good instruction you can get online. Finally, you can deepen your woods awareness to the point where you can know when humans are coming when they are still pretty far away. I have a few videos on this, but the general idea is that you learn bird alarm calls, squirrel alarm calls, and check out my "delving meditation" for ways to sort of "feel" the whole woods. Humans are loud and make a lot of disturbance. If you "rewild" to the point where you can sense other humans easily, you'll feel very at home in the woods. Oh yes, one last one. My brother and I used to practice "deer running", and my daughters and I do it now. It's the idea of running like a deer through the woods, jumping over things, changing directions, crawling through thickets . . . if you learn to run through the woods like that, no one would ever be able to catch you. =) Hope you find some of this helpful! I am excited that you have such and adventuring spirit!
We don't have big predators or real poisonous snakes here. We have an adder, (viper), that could maybe kill a small child, but those come real rare. I lack a fear of animals, (other then spiders for some crazy reason), what can be dangerous on itself. As a child, my parents took me to a safari park. They had to hold me down to keep me from going to pet the lions, they had to save me from a huge ape, that I came to close to, and it grabbed me, they had to drag me from inbetween the legs of an elephant.. They never took me to a safari park again. My exhusband and me had an animal rescue. He had all kinds of poisonous snakes, among other animals, when I got to meet him. There are people that hold dangerous snakes behind chickenwire here, and things alike, or they just did not look after them. If the police found one, the snakes, lizards, monitors, etc., were taken to him. Over the time we were together, we had more and more, since I was helping him with all my heart. We had all kinds of exotic animals, that should not be living in captivity. People just buy them, when they are babies, and then they grow too big or too dangerous, and they want them gone. Zoo's have a problem taking them all in. People really should think and inform themselfs, before buying an animal. He had to lock the tanks with the poisonous snakes, and keep the keys away from me, for I am kind of slow in reacting compared to snakes, and had no fear of those either. I wanted to pet/befriend the cobras. I was fascinated by those. Snakes, it seems never get to know you, and would bite even after you've taken care of them for years. He forbid me to go near any of the poisonous snakes. I did feed one anyways, one day though. He forgot to feed it for a while, when he was living with his new girlfriend. We were looking for new homes for all the animals, since I could not look after them all by myself, and his new girlfriend did not want them in the house. (My heart broke a thousand times..) We only had that one desert snake left, also poisonous, a Cerastes Cerastes. Very cute: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerastes_cerastes I told him several times, it had no water and no food for long, he kept telling me it could last without for long. It did not find water nor food in the desert every day either. He would look after it "tomorrow". Though I could just not see it hungry and thirsty. And that tank was not locked anymore. It is not as poisonous. And I guess over the years he thought I got the message. lol... It all went well, I had seen him do it so very often. You can see a mouse sit in a snake for a while, and of course he came to take care of it that day. I went like "oh oh", when he went upstairs. When he saw the water, and the bump in the snake, he went out of his mind. He took it out of the house, and to a friend of his, that same day. (No, we don't hate eachother, we just didn't make a good couple, and are better as friends. ;) ) I have been bitten by lots of animals, strangled by snakes, and what not. For some reason I forget those things, and still have this feeling "they won't hurt me". I feel most at home in the woods, it is the city that makes me feel unsafe. People are the most unpredictable. Maybe you can teach how to respond to certain animals, for those that live in an area where they live, like what do you do if you find yourself in front of a momma bear. Just an idea. Much love! Have a beautiful day!
Hi Jane! How interesting. Snakes have been a big part of our lives, too. We used to keep quite a few, and take them to schools and libraries to help people get over their fears. But I've never been around venomous ones! Cobras must be so beautiful! Love, Kenton
@@ReWildUniversity Many snakes are beautiful! My ex hubby also had Gabonica Gabonica, and another kind of that family. Those were the most beautiful! Here is an article, the second picture is kind of the colour they have, if they just shedded their skin: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bitis_gabonica/ That were the snakes I stayed away from voluntarily! Those lay perfectly still, and one day I saw my ex throw in a (dead) rat, the snake moved like lightning! It caught the rat before it even hit the ground, and held it up. Their teeth are extreemly long, and their poison is with the most horrible. He had 2 African Forest Cobra's, HUGE! There was something about them, they were just hypnotizing me. Their eyes, they looked so intelligent, and kind of as if they studied me. I could sit in front of their tank for an hour, just watching them, while they were watching me. And I was SO SURE they would not bite me! Till that one day, where the biggest one came to the glass where I was, just sitting on the other side of it, looking at me, as he often did. I went closer to the glass, as I had done many times before. Smiling at him lovingly. All the sudden he banged against the glass so hard, I thought it would break! Twice, also fast as lightning! The poison was dripping off of it! Man, I was happy there was the tickest of safety glass inbetween us then!!! lol I did learn to respect some of the snakes allright. I never would have opened those tanks, not the Gabonica's, nor the Cobra's, the Russelii Vipers, etc. They were all far too fast and dangerous. My ex knew how to handle them, I for sure was far too slow for that. Though I was more afraid of the Goliath spider he had, (Theraphosa Blondi), then of any of his snakes. If that thing had come out of it's tank, you would have found me in the next village! The snakes, I respected, I had no fear. I did take care of the stranglers, he did the poisonous ones, I was fine with that. I only did it that one time, and Gizmo, (as we called it), the Cerastus, was not so big, nor as dangerous. I miss those days. But I will let you be, I am rambling your ears off..lol I would love to hear more about your experiances with animals for sure! I hope I will in your video's, if you feel like that. I wish you all a beautiful day, hugs for all of you! :D Ps. He did buy me a Mexican Redknee female spider, (Brachypelma Smithi), to get me over my huge fear for spiders. For some reason I loved her, she was beautiful, and not agressive at all. It helped me a lot to get over my spider fobia, but most spiders are still not for me. Can't love them all, I guess. ;)
@@ReWildUniversity Yea, that was very impressive, to have that coming towards your face! I was just on the other side of the glass. :P He had me shaking alright!! lol
Interesting thank you, when in the bush and only at night I fear the dark. i feel the woods are closing in on me, ( I am claustrophobic) i also fear the black bear up here in Ontario and carry bear spray which is only good if it is ex number of feet away. I also carry bear bangers by tru flare. I find it hard to sleep in my tent at night , yet I keep going. i feel it is the fear of the unknown. and the fear of whatever is out there at night will come upon me when least expected . i feel they are watching from the hill above the camp and will come when the fire is out. Hmmmm
I can understand! One thing that might help with bears is seeing if any area bear biologists have programs where you can meet the bears in some way. Love to you!
A friend was out hunting and fell asleep....Waking to find a big, cute, little Skunk curled up on his tummy.....Skunks get a bad rap because of their flatulence issues.....Like a first date... They'er actually, really sweet things..... Until they fart...🤣🤣🤣
Have to re-read my old living in Alaska notes but if memory serves me a black bear isn't known for false charging. Grizz will try it but not sure about the black bears. Hmm maybe that monk was lucky.
Mark, a few years ago I was walking through the woods at night and I heard something coming my way. I hunkered down next to a tree and waited. There were multiple creatures, and as you say, they sounded HUGE! Then, around the tree came a raccoon. We stood face-to-face for a moment and then he turned away and climbed the very tree I was squatting next to! =)
Hey Kenton! Nice to know you were at the teaching drum. Always dreamt to go there, since I first heard about it more than a decade ago. Still do, but after I met your channel I'm in doubt if should go there or you your RewildU. Both would be great, I think, but they're kinda way far from my reality and I don't know how to bridge that (my reality being of a middle to low class teacher/biologist living in Brazil, with family and relationship and jobs ties here and not much money... although maybe I could or will be able to afford going with part of my savings). I sometimes dream too about building a similar course here in Brazil, maybe in similar lines but perhaps broadening the scope to a few other ideas, like making it side by side with a regular school for young kids or a community service ong of some sort. Hey, btw, how to best contact you guys about the rewildU and the monk training?
I love that you'd want to start your own similar program! I always envision people doing that -- taking their experience at ReWildU and creating something similar in other parts of the world. You can learn more about the program here: rewildu.com/classes/forest-monk-training-programs/ My email is at the bottom so you can contact me directly! Love, Kenton =)
I'm not really afraid of what I can see. I'm more afraid of the ants and ticks or other insects and bugs. Where I go always has tonnes of fire ants and a few ticks so I can never really lay down anywhere to relax. Fire ant bites are far more annoying than painful.
Insects can really be difficult for people -- especially as some of them carry diseases that are much more dangerous than the "big" animals we're usually afraid of! =)
Once, on fire towers, I went out to the equipment shed to turn off the gen set, which placed me in darkness till back inside to turn on a 12 volt light. On the sidewalk before I got to the tower's ladder hoop I always had to duck under it occurred to me I could not see the tree line. All around. And after standing waiting and waiting for my eyes to adjust - they had been adjusted all along. No moon and a ton of cloud. That was cool. As I've said, I craved seeing the critters more than anything. I physically ached at times longing for my next sighting. I drew them to me. They were all my babies. I wanted to hug them and give them the boot at the same time, except for the bull moose and whitetail doe and female peregrine. They were different. They sought me. They were messengers. They knew things and I later found out the why. :)
Hi Kenton! The thing I fear the most about going in the woods is ticks, especially because I like going barefoot but I can't do it because of that. I wanted to ask you what is your opinion on preventing onself from ticks, especially when going barefoot (I remember you used to walk around barefoot a lot). Is it a mechanism similar to the surrender to mosquitos? And what about the diseases caused by tick bites? Thank you!
Great question Aleksej. I do go barefoot except in winter, and actually find that it's easier to feel ticks on me when I'm barefoot. If I have shoes with clothes tucked in, as often recommended, the ticks crawl all the way up to your head until they get on your body. Then you only have a few inches to sense them. But if they start at your feet, you'll usually feel them walking somewhere along their journey up your legs or torso =)
@@ReWildUniversity Ok! Thank you for the response! Then it means there is no way to completely avoid them and you just have to take them off of you in time hahah. Thank you very much, I was very cuorious of what you was going to say about them. Much love!
@@aleksejpetrov2293 Yeah, they are one of the most dangerous creatures in the woods these days =) Check carefully, and adventure on! Much love to you as well my friend!!!
Wisconsin is where ive been born and raised, Goodman. The forests are beautiful but i fear wolves because they are rapidly growing in numbers up here so i need something like my buck knife to make myself a tiny bit less scared and a pistol to make myselr feel less unprotected. I hate fear.
My friend, you did something here that most people are unable to do -- you identified the trigger for your fear (wolves), but then had the wisdom to see that it was your fear, and not the trigger, which was the real source of the problem. Most of us blame the trigger, and then we go through life never able to overcome our fears. Rebecca and I were actually wolf trackers for the DNR probably 25 years ago, when the wolves were in really sad shape in Wisconsin. Over the decades, we've watched their population grow. Now, up by the old ReWildU campus, we can go out anytime during the winter and track the wolves along their frozen stream "highways". Often we'll take a pack of kids with us at night, all of us tracking these big canids for hours in the moonlight. And no firearms. I say this because I can speak from experience (my own, and from many wolf researchers I've spoken with) that the wolves aren't out to harm us. In fact, they are some of the most amazing and elusive creatures in the forest -- it's quite an amazing thing to see one! Education has been my best friend when trying to overcome fears. Yes, you can go online and read a lot of horror stories about wolves, but I've yet to meet a real-life woodsperson or wilderness guide who has actually had negative wolf encounters. I have relatives in Wyoming who see wolves nearly ever day as they guide people on hunting and pack trips into the mountains, and they have no fear of the wolves at all. To start to intake a different perspective, you could start with Farley Mowat's "Never Cry Wolf" (the book, not the movie). It's probably half-fiction half non-fiction, but it shows a different perspective of wolves, and his findings have been expanded upon by other wolf researchers and authors, such as Lu Carbyn and Barry Lopez. If you want a really up-close-and-personal intro to wolves, spring for a copy of "Brother Wolf" by Jim Brandenburg, an Ely, MN wolf photographer. That photo-book made me fall in love with the creatures and really want to get close to them. As you shift from fear of wolves into love of them, you will find yourself sharing the great northern forests with brothers and sisters who have paws instead of hands and who fill the night with their howls (the howl of a wolf, if you haven't heard it before, will stir you to the soul =). You'll gain a new excitement when you go out into the woods, and will thrill at finding a track. When that fear leaves, it's as if a whole new world opens up, and as you start intaking new sources of information, and learn that people's fear is only because they don't know what wolves really are, people's fear-stories won't touch you any more. It's a real freedom. I hope this helps. My biggest hope is that you can find your way through this fear and, someday, stand in a moonlit wood as wolves howl not too far distant, you standing there with a wide smile on your face, feeling more alive than you've ever felt before. With love, Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity, wow. Thank you. I will keep reading up on wolf encounters and that book, and will try to go into forests without a weapon. Thank you so much, you have reassured me about my Safety in forests. With love and gratitude, ElfLord YT a.k.a Christopher Leon Frank.
@@elflordyt6830 Christopher, I wish I could go out with you personally. You're not anywhere near Hayward, are you? I could maybe get one of my old ReWildU teachers to take you out. It's AMAZING to go on those winter wolf treks. You reach down and touch a wolf track in the snow, and it's mind-blowing thinking that a wolf touched that same snow only hours before. Kudos to you for facing your fears and finding your way through them. Most of us flee and don't look back =) Write me at rewilduniversity@gmail.com if you want me to try to hook you up with that ReWildU teacher for a winter wolf walk!
@@ReWildUniversity yeah thanks! And sadly, i am about two or three hours of a drive aeay from hayward, and dont have a vehicle yet becuase i just turned 18. I so totally would go there if i could, and thank you so much! And i gotta say: ive always been fascinated by wolves but those irrational fears gnawed at me for my whole life but now i will grt rid of them! Thank you! Ill definitely try to go there on the walks when i am financially stable!
@@elflordyt6830 You rock!! Keep me informed of your journey! I always wanted to be an elf, so when I saw your YT name it made me think you were probably a kindred spirit =)
I can relate! We had them in Hawaii, and they were pretty intimidating. With such fears, I often find that learning about the animal is best. Your fear isn't unfounded -- pigs DO attack humans. However, some research will show that's about the same as our black bear situation up here -- sometimes those bears attack people, seemingly unprovoked. And yet, the attacks are rare enough that we started to realize that we were in MUCH more danger every time we got into a car. And that led to getting to know the bears personally, as amazing, curious, intelligent animals. In Hawaii, everyone told me that the pigs were incredibly dangerous. But some research showed that there were not a lot of attacks. So I started trying to encounter them, and discovered that it was tough to get close to them because they were so afraid of me. Often, it seems, the truth is much different than people's fears! With the bears, I even eventually crawled into a den and petted one while it was half-hibernating. Amazing experience! So what would happen if you started getting to learn more about the pigs. What do they like to eat? What habitats do they favor? When are they most aggressive? (here is a research paper on attacks - digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=icwdm_wdmconfproc) What funny behaviors do they have? What do their tracks look like? In other words, most people are afraid of them, but if you become a "researcher of pigs", you'll become fascinated rather than afraid. You can still get good at climbing trees (ua-cam.com/video/RkuCshpcevU/v-deo.html), which is a good escape, but if you become a layperson expert on them, I bet you could change that fear into wonder. Our girls have done this with various fears, including bees and spiders, and it's been amazing to see the shift! Let me know if you try this, and if it works for you! Love, Kenton =)
Offtopic: you can filter that hum-sound with an equalizer in your video editing program. Just find the "sweatspot" and turn that frequency down. OR you can extract the audio and do it with a audio program, when the video editor can't do it. Or if you need further help contact me. Can't watch the video because of that. I know it's my problem and it drives me crazy.
My problem is with mosquitoes, ticks with Lyme disease, and rattlesnakes. (I've had close calls with rattlesnakes)
In Brazil, leafcutter ants took out an entire bush near our tent overnight. They were huge and red, but harmless.
When we went into a city, I saw a tiny black ant crawl on my leg. It bit my knee. It was incredibly painful for three days.
Oh, above Yosemite Valley, I went into the wilderness there. I was taking photos of clear blue rapids...
There was a swarm of flies coming towards me. I didn't think much of it, until they started biting me.
I've never had any problems with coyotes, deer, elk, mountain lions, skunks, sharks, etc... And I have great pictures.
I guess my problem is with the venomous creatures.
I've heard that a lot, and it's definitely something we have to be aware of up here with the deer ticks and Lyme.
I go into the forest at night to be alone. it's one of my favorite places. I understand there are other animals out there, but since they leave me alone i feel like i'm alone. it is peaceful and very enjoyable. it is definitely something that gets easier as you do it more and more. the first couple times i was a little nervous because of wildlife living there, but you get used to it real quick.
edit: the woods i'm talking about are in Maine, USA, where i have lived my whole life.
Beautiful! The night forest is truly a sanctuary. =)
@Darla Spurlding Yeah, those horror stories will definitely get our fears going =)
Great video! Sometimes the little things are the most annoying - ticks, mosquitoes... I live in forest and do sleep out in summer sometimes but with my partner - he has enough inner beast to protect both of us! Round here the only worry would be wild boar and snakes - but they won't bother two sleeping humans. (I agree about the owls - I love to hear the screech owls.) What is wonderful is going to sleep either in moonlight or pitch black, and being woken up by the sunrise. Fantastic!
Oh yes, those moonlit nights! So enchanting. And to have the sun wake you up, the light filtering through the trees or cracking over the horizon. Beautiful!!!!
I love being in the woods most of the time. Even at night. Critters don't really bother me. And even though I enjoy watching lightning, especially in the desert, I get nervous during thunderstorms. Wind, heavy rain, and lightning can ruin a day.
Another great video;)
Oh yes -- lightning can be SUCH a powerful teacher. I remember a few nights where the storm was so upon me that I could feel the thunder in the ground. It's sometimes invoked a sort of total surrender. I know I can't fight the lightning, so I sort of "die" in the moment, not clinging to the desire to live. It's made for some mystical moments late at night with the lightning flashing! =)
I agree 100% When I was very new to backpacking I went to the Smokies for a 3 day 3 night solo trip. It was the first time I had gone backpacking in an area that had any sizeable black bear population. I was very afraid of being attacked by a black bear most of the time. The fear was the worst part of the trip. About 75% of the time I literally was thinking that a bear was just gonna jump out and tackle me and rip me to shreds. I was concerned this fear was gonna always stay with me and make it not pleasurable for me to go out in the woods. After that trip, I learned more about bears. I learned how uncommon an attack is. I learned how to avoid bear encounters. I continued going out. The fear subsided each trip. As far as the unleashing the beast part, I've had an experience with that and now just carry that mindset with me on reserve so to speak. If you do get extremely unlucky and get confronted by a wild animal, you want to be able to tap into that inner beast. The animal will sense this. It will most definitely realize that you are a strong human and it will become the one in fear and run away. I think if you just simply deal with all of your food in a responsible way all of the time, animals simply won't come around you. Don't eat in your tent and hang your food appropriately from a tree a good ways from your shelter.
Awesome. You experienced fear, but you educated yourself and transformed it. That's it! Way to go my friend!!!
=) Kenton
This man is living the dream
Thanks Philipp -- it's a fun life indeed =)
Just came across this video (2 years too late) and it made me smile... Here is the million dollar question... why do we all feel safe and secure in our hammock on a wilderness campsite, with only a tiny 2 foot high mesh fence between ourselves and the dark forest, but step outside of that boundary and suddenly the night sounds become terrifying monsters :) And I'm loving all the talk of bears!!!! Here in Europe the most dangerous creature that we are likely to encounter is a rabbit with a bad attitude... Oh, and Homo Sapiens, which in all honesty I find the most terrifying... Great channel, subscribed and looking forward to seeing your other videos.
Richard, that is a powerful question you've asked, and it points out that our fears aren't often about actual things, but rather are reactions we've learned over time -- and those reactions can be unlearned. Thank you for your subscription, by the way. I really appreciate it! I hope you get a lot out of the other videos!
=) Kenton
I can confirm that "beast mode" works incredibly well with aggressive dogs like you guys said in the comments. I've had 3-4 aggressive dogs that had attacked a few people in my neighborhood circle me and test me out.
For me that image of my "beast form" is fearless, calm, collected and intelligent "caveman version" of myself. When those dogs where gathering around me I instinctively went into that, calmly assessing the situation, my heartbeat raising with what felt like adrenaline instead of fear because I'd need to move fast and efficiently, looked at what "tools" I could use around me, my keys, rocks, sticks, and getting ready to literally rip those dogs apart with my hands if it came to that.
Without me having to do anything other than take a few certain steps towards my destination the dogs could certainly feel they'd have to work really hard for me and it would not go down well, and that alone was enough for them to keep a distance. They still barked and were aggressive but they stayed closer to each other and kept a safe distance from me.
A slightly related question to this video, I don't know where else to post it, but do you have any experiences with snakes and walking barefoot in the woods? We have a lot of vipers in my area and I was wondering what your experiences have been with snakes. The biggest concern with snakes is accidentally stepping on them but my gut feeling says that the snake doesn't want to be stepped on and will tend to move before that happens, yet the fear of other people around me combined with our primal fears of snakes (we turned them into fire breathing dragons and the literal Devil after all) is causing me some concern.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with it, as most people will just say "wear high ankle boots and look down where you're stepping" but you have a much better approach of "walk barefoot and look ahead" :P
That's awesome with the dogs! My experiences almost exactly!
With the snakes, I have something to offer, but trust your own knowledge over mine, as I haven't lived in an area with venomous snakes. Also note that I'm a snake lover -- Rebecca and I used to keep a numbers of snakes and would do snake education programs at schools and libraries. With all of that in mind, I'll relate my one similar experience, in the southwest United States where there are a number of venomous snakes living in the desert. I was exploring in desert-y areas, and everyone had told me not go barefoot -- not only for the snakes, but for the various prickles and spines that plants dropped onto the ground. I of course ignored these warnings =) And it was fine. I think that often, when people are wearing shoes, they just plow through stuff. When they end up picking cacti thorns out of their boots, they then assume that if they were barefoot, they'd be picking those thorns out of their feet. But as you know, we walk very differently when barefoot, and are more aware of our environment.
If there were vipers? I too would have pause, especially as I have no experience with your environment. But I'd like to think that as I gained more experience, you and I would start to venture out barefoot and we'd be just fine. We'd first spend some time paying attention to where we encounter vipers. Do they just sit on a trail? Or do they stay in the shadows? Do we tend to encounter them when they are out sunning? Or does it just seem random? All of those observations would then tell us where we have to apply more awareness when walking barefoot.
Then we'd do some risk/benefit analysis. How often do we encounter vipers, and how likely do we honestly think it is that we'd have a negative encounter? And how much pleasure do we get from being barefoot over shod when hiking? As I'm sure you know, people tend to incorrectly assess risks and benefits. They will drive to the beach, and then worry about getting eaten by a shark (they were in much more danger when driving to the beach). So learning about your particular species and doing your own observations, you'll be able to make an accurate analysis and decide for yourself whether the risk is worth it or not.
I'd love to hear more about your journey with this, by the way!
With love,
Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity Yeah that makes a lot of sense to me, learn about them and observe what's happening. People here (I live in Nafpaktos, Greece) are very aggressive and fearful towards snakes although I haven't heard of anyone getting bitten in ages. But because there's a lot of nature around and within the town vipers often find themselves in houses and we have a few venomous species, so there's a lot of fear and hatred towards them.
I love snakes too I find them very beautiful creatures and super useful at keeping the rat population under control of which we have a bigger problem since we're killing all the snakes...
What's interesting is that we're in November but due to the climate changing it's still really hot so a lot of snakes are still out when they should be hibernating by this time of the year. People say they're more aggressive because their cycle is off, but people say all kinds of things :P
From my experience, without knowing that vipers are still out and about, I walked barefoot in the woods and in a dried up creek full of big rocks and stones that vipers would love to stay under, and I didn't even see a single one. My mother saw one crossing the street though, so I'll definitely have to educate myself more about them and see their behavioral patterns!
Will keep you updated :)
@@alexanderkarayann So interesting! I appreciate you keeping me updated -- this sounds like it will be an educational journey! I suppose in things like this, we also learn a lot about human beings, and even about ourselves! =)
The woods were, are and will always be a soothing and wonderful place to come to. Especially, when the stress of modern life takes overhand. I am very happy to live in a suburban area that is surrounded by so many forests and fields.
All the best to you Kenton
Ah, the woods truly are a soothing and lovely place to be. Always good to hear from you, friend!
I 'll share a humorous story. I was camping up along the Lolo Trail in Idaho right next to a lake, and during the night I kept hearing splashing noises and felt the thumping of several large animals nearby ( I was sleeping on a rock outcropping). As the noises got closer I freaked out, grabbed my flashlight and jumped out of my sleeping bag screaming. What I heard next was the sound of thundering hooves and small trees being crushed in a stampede. As my light swept the forest I saw the tail end of a small herd of elk running at break neck speed down the hill headed for the Montana border.
Wow, that's incredible Jeff! What an experience!!! I do see the humor -- everyone involved was scared of each other! =)
very intereting ,so true that human are generally afraid of the unknow or unfamiliar , my first overnights in solo out in naturein a national park with wolves i didnt sleep at all always on alert mode , the first time i feel confortable was with a fire to give heat a bit of light and it is known that wild animals dont come too close of a fire .but it was not in a national park that time because fire are forbidden inside
the park .i love the idea of the inner beast and the heritage of our ancestors hunting skills to give us confidence , great advice , thanks.
may the force be with you my friend!
I remember my first solo outing too. It was on an island, and I heard deer making their alarm snorts. I had never heard the sound before, and it was SO scary. I had to get brave enough to step out of my tent and see what it was, and was so relieved to find that the "monster" was just a few deer!
Just 2 weeks ago the chaga video inspired me to go out and try to find some chaga. I was not even sure if it grows in my area, but it looked familiar to me. I walked along a trail I know and before long I was out for hours bouncing birch tree to birch tree. I was hanging on my last thread of hope when finally I found a patch of chaga growing on a dead tree. I sawed off a little chunk and started on my way back. It soon occurred to me that I was a lot farther off the path then I thought, and it was getting darker and darker. I was completely disoriented with my directions and very lost. This is the first time I ever felt "afraid of the woods". I was never in any real danger because I knew the wooded area was surrounded by long roads on all sides. But after a small worry attack, I found the trail again and eventually made it out. I came out of this wondering how the heck does Kenton manage the night so easily 😄
Getting lost is the subject of another video, I think! We sometimes secretly get our forest monks "lost" on purpose, so they can experience that panic that often comes. Even very experienced woods-folk will feel it. It's a "mapping" part of our brain that always wants to know where it is. When it doesn't, it goes into high alert =)
👍, I use this too - acknowledging the inner beast. I noticed that animals, dogs particularly, feel it somehow
I've found the same thing. Dogs are the only animals I've had negative encounters with, and bringing out the "inner beast" has always kept them at bay.
I am not so afraid of the animals around here in Germany, but the hunters mistaken me for a deer ;)
The most dangerous animal you could encounter would be a wild pig. Most people are afraid of the wolfs, which came back a few years ago. But they are not very big and pretty scared of humans.
For me everytime I enter the forrest, I can feel my senses spreading. Once I walked a bit inside, i stop. Close my eyes, calm my breathing, and start to listen in every direction. Then I try to smell and feel the wind.
This is like my ritual when walking through the forrest. After that I´m calm and there is no fear.
Wow! I have a ritual like that too! It brings me so in tune with my environment, and I become more aware of the smells and sounds and visuals that give me clues to what the ecosystem holds.
@@ReWildUniversity now thats awesome! Connection via our minds around the globe is possible afterall 😉
There’s a reason there’s NO dislikes on this video (I think this is the first video I’ve ever seen without any!) you are very genuine and just straightforward. I’m getting over fear of the woods so I can get to my hunting spot sooner in the mornings, thank you for the insight.
Thanks so much for your kind words =) Way to go getting over those fears! The morning woods can be so peaceful and beautiful!
With love,
Kenton =)
Thank you!
Outdoors is VERY PEACEFUL - CALMING 🙏👍🙏
I agree! My favorite place to be =)
I love the wilderness, so needless to say I'm quite at home being in the woods alone (i.e hiking, bird-watching, etc.) But your advice has made me want to go back to the wilderness even more to try it out for myself.
So glad you're a lover of the wild places! And I'm so excited that you're going to be heading out there more often!
=) Kenton
I went on my first solo night hike into camp a few months ago. It was only a few miles, but I am very afraid of the woods, usually. I surprised myself with how calm I was. I live in Chicago and camp mostly in the Midwest. My headlamp lit up so many possum and raccoon that I got over my fear of seeing them in the dark. Mostly! I even saw a deer at night for the first time. I'm going to go out solo more and this was a great help. Thanks!
This is awesome Chris! That you ventured into something that is (or was once) fearful, and found such adventure -- that's IT! Thanks for sharing this -- I hope it can inspire others to do the same!
Love,
Kenton =)
I have a few stories to share about this topic. One I might have already shared in the channel before, but here it goes...
1 - in my college city, there were woods around the campus were I loved to roam around alone. except when there were some big spider webs with big emerald spiders on them. Rationally, and as a biology student, I knew they were harmless, but was still really scared, to the point that the fear was crippling my enjoyment of the woods. So I though about it, and being a very "visceral" kinda guy, decided to let one bite me. I bravely took one big off of a web with my bare hands, and the spider just tried to flee. I messed with it, teasing it to bite me. No dice. So, still in need of a visceral experience, I decided to eat it. Whole, raw and maybe even alive, to destroy my fear. Couldn't muster up enough courage to do it alive, being more coward than most animals, but after I stoned it, up it went. Tasty actually. Couldn't feel any harm afterwards, and the fear never came back.
2 - Another story, later when I was working in the Amazon rainforest, I was always temped by the night to roam in the woods. Bear in mind that it was REALLY THE AMAZON. Big snakes, spiders, bobcats (our "onças pintadas") were routinely sighted in the area. But venturing near the installations for short moments was safe. I remember the darkness, the silence, the sounds, and when using my headlamp, the eyes of so many spiders and other criters on the ground watching me... fearing me. Miss those days.
Two powerful experiences Felipe! Wow! I don't think you shared those stories before, and I was glad to hear them. Awesome that you could "go into your fears" so powerfully, and come out with a new perspective!!
@@ReWildUniversity Thanks!
Fear is an excellent tool, it's hard to know when to ignore it. However, what you said about familiarity couldn't be more true. Once the source of fear is understood, it simply becomes caution.
Exactly -- fear is usually a symptom of not knowing our subject. Then, as you say, it turns to respect or caution.
=) Kenton
Nice!
Thank you Kenton once again. I've been extraordinarily busy the past couple months with work, studying and such so I haven't been able to keep up with your videos. Now things have calmed down I am more able to spend time watching your content and spending time outdoors, especially with the weather warming up where I live. I have always been drawn to the idea of just leaving everything behind and living far away in the northern woods, its unfortunate because doing that is so hard with all the regulations and rules. Where I live you can't even build a fire without a little thing saying you can, and that's how the world is now. Every little thing you do you need a little card or certificate saying you can do that, I HATE IT. as a kid I lived in the woods. My parents owned a large piece of land FULL of wilderness, that is where I spent most of my time.
I lived by my own rules, I still do, and I want everyone to do the same. School was the shittiest, I only went to spend time with my friends, my grades were never good but I am doing okay in life, I'm making good enough income, and that's also how the world is - Money. I remember being in middle school and high school, I remember getting a kick out of playing pranks on everyone and doing stupid crap with my friends. Sneaking into certain areas of the school that were off limits, getting into trouble. To me that's all school was about, that still is. Of course without little rules and regulations the world would be full of anarchy and we would destroy ourselves, but seriously all these little signs saying you cant go here, or you cant do this unless your certified, or you must take a course to do this, that also brings us to destroy ourselves, I don't hate the government, I don't hate my country. I am a patriot but the way the entire world is right now, everyone knows it is only a matter of time before civilization falls. When it does what will people even do? the minds of our children are being poisoned by all this crap, and if you hurt someones feelings there is uproar. Some kids who live in huge cities might never even get to spend time in the wilderness, some kids will never spend a night outside. Hell I don't think a city dweller could even catch a fish.
Anyway I am ranting but it is really unfortunate how humans went from "Will I get to eat today" to "Will I get a like on my latest selfie today." Nobody has to work for anything, and by work I don't mean getting a job and making money, I mean learning to fend for yourself and learning to hunt, fish, grow food, build shelter, and expand territory.
This is how the world works today:
Grow up, learn to walk -> Time to go to school
Go to school -> Time to make money
Wanna make money? Okay -> Get a 9-5 job all week and drink and play video games on the weekend
Drink and play video games on the weekend, oh no not making much money -> Work more
Work more -> Retire and live miserably in an old folks home
Live miserably in an old folks home -> Die having no impact on the world
Anyway I wanted to thank you for your uplifting and inspiring videos, they really help me to know that there are some people out here in this place called earth who still actually have a brain that belongs to themselves, and its very nice to see all these other people in the comments sharing the events of their lives and past days as well.
With much love and respect
-Tissie
Tissie, I can understand your frustration. I remember once hearing that in the U.S., we create 40,000 new laws every year. I believe in people, and think we could work well with less rules, especially when it goes so far that you aren't able to go out into nature and have a campfire. We're missing something vital in the human experience when that's not available to us. You summed up the human life scenario for most of us pretty well. And I know people want to break free of that. I hope these videos can share some methods of how to do that.
Always good to hear from you my friend. Keep up the mischief!
Love,
Kenton =)
Really enjoyed this video. I used to have a strong fear of the dark in nature. But I eventually discovered that it was not the wild animals I feared but instead the wild animals in my mind instead. I had several encounters with bears over the years including a mama with 2 cubs but in all of them the bear just watched me while I kept on hiking and it felt like as long as I respected it the bear would respect me. Each time I did not feel any fear. It was these encounters that helped me realize I did not fear nature but instead I was just afraid of the bear that lived in my mind.
"The animals in my mind". That says it all my friend! The nature of most of our fears are inside of ourselves . . .
On one of a few canoe trips this past summer, my daughter and I had an encounter with a white tail deer at night, it stomped and blew for a while almost directly in the camp area, my daughter said it shook her tent. We apparently had set up camp in its regular travel route. We didn't make it to the next official camp site and had to bush camp along the river edge. Camping along a water way is almost guaranteed to cause a beaver to slap its warning, repeatedly, this also happened the night with the deer. Yes, we are apex and all creatures know this, yet we have also a built in "fear" which is in place for a reason. Logic over rules this and conditioning as you point out is the answer. I am still enjoying the podcast.
Great experiences! Those beaver slaps always are amazing to hear -- such sharp retorts! And thanks for the podcast feedback!! =)
now this was a good video
So glad you liked it!! =)
So inspiring , goes to show , knowledge is power , kudos Kenton , you are a true inspiration !!
Appreciated Eric! I love your YT photo by the way! Is that a snow leopard?
Love,
Kenton =)
Yes sir it is 👍
I have agoraphobia(my house is my only safe place and i dont leave the house without a bicycle) im extra scared of the woods beacuse of blair witch movie, and i had a lot of dogs attack me, so before this trauma i couldve went outside into the woods at 3AM but now after dog incidents im afraid of going into the forest at 12PM, i have been traumatised so much that i when im out i always make sure that i get home 2 hours before dark, one night my friend refused to walk with me home and i was too relaxed that i thought he would walk with me home, so he just left me, it was 10PM and i was standing there looking at the road with one dim light( i had to pass this road to get to my home) i was trying 20 minutes to break this large stick from the tree next to me. Finally i passed my heart was pumping so fast. And then i saw 2 big dogs on the road looking at me, we were 30 meters apart. I was so scared i started walking back. But instead of the dogs to attack me they ran in fear. Those were some big dogs they could probably destroy me. But they were scared. So i speedwalked to my home before the 20 of them come to attack me(there were Alot of dogs in the woods next to there) i didnt leave my home for 20 days. Please help, how can i get rid of this dog phobia Edit: only one dog attacked me 3 times but the dogs from the forest are scared, also this dog that attacked me is not from the forest he is an adopted dog, beacuse of him im scared of every singld dog i see, before his attacks i would pet every single dog i see, my life is ruined.
My friend, the first and most important thing here is that you are aware of your fear, and have a real desire to shift it.
To begin, you recognize what the Blair Witch movie did to your mentality, which tells you to just cut those kinds of things out of your life. Once we recognize what media does to our mind (and how lasting its effects can be), we can more wisely choose what media we want to put into us. I try to remember that if I put a movie or song or whatever into my mind, it's a permanent addition that will shape my mind forever more. That tends to get me to make better choices =)
Now on to the dog fear. First, acknowledge that you had a real experience, and that dogs can indeed be dangerous. For me, it's the animal that I'm most concerned about meeting, whether I am in the woods or in more populated areas. However, you've also noticed that the truth is that most dogs won't be aggressive to you. I've met hundreds, and have only had a handful be unreasonably aggressive. Some are "barkers", being aggressive from a safe distance (sometimes only a few feet away), but most are scared of me or disinterested, while many run up and want to be pet or play.
Next, we can learn to project confidence. This is tough when we feel so frightened. It often requires us to do some exposure therapy. Ideally, you might go to an animal rescue shelter and talk to someone there who seems like they are compassionate. Make your goal be to volunteer there as a dog walker, but make sure the person working with you is willing to take things slowly and make sure the dogs you walk are safe. Right now, before you get the courage to do that, watch some videos or research how to deal with aggressive dogs and how to read their "body language" (scan the videos first to make sure they aren't being dramatic by showing or talking about horror stories -- you don't need any more of that). The idea is to get familiar with dogs, with how they communicate, and how they react when aggressive. You can not only learn some "self defense" against them, but learn how to de-escalate them.
Take it slowly, but as you learn and explore, you might find a confidence building inside of you. And when that confidence is projected in how you walk and hold yourself, even aggressive dogs will see you less as "prey" and more as something to be wary of. As a father and just all-around protector type, I routinely step between a stranger dog and whoever I'm with. I just project tons of confidence (and if the dog did attack, I know it wouldn't go well for the dog - of course, I can never actually say how a fight would end up, but that's the level of confidence I put forth), and ever since I started doing that, I haven't had any attacks (I, too, was attacked by a dog, though it was in my single-digit years).
This is a general approach to fears -- to gently and lovingly educated yourself and expose yourself. In your case things are far enough along that you might want to consider a professional who might give you additional tools, but if you try these things, you might be surprised. Are you willing to try to become a volunteer dog walker at your local humane society? Please keep me updated!
With love,
Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity thank you for replying, this reply has helped me understand my situation more, so thank you very much
@@nedlagamer690 Keep me updated if you like! =)
Very good video. I love being out in the woods. It's a lot less scary than a city! I do get startled by loud or sudden noises. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a dear jumped up a few feet in front of me. I had no idea it was there and had apparently startled it. Such quick, high jumps as it ran away and disappeared!
Hawks have been screaming at me every day as I'm collecting maple sap. Definitely loud but not too scary-it's what they do. Yesterday I kept hearing a little different almost conversational sounding squawking high up in the trees. I kept looking up and spotted a bulky mess of twigs and stuff near the top of a tree about ten feet from one of the ones we had tapped. By then I was closer to their nest and didn't hear the "conversation" any more. I did see one hawk fly in, light on the nest, disappear briefly and fly off again. Not sure, but I think the "conversation" had to do with building the nest which I'm sure is new.
We don't need to fear nature but we do need to respect it! Skunks! Storms! Temperature extremes. You name it. Nature can make us uncomfortable if we're not prepared for what we meet out there and knowledge (and using what we know) is a big part of being prepared. Being prepared can make a huge difference in our experience.
Maude, you're collecting maple sap already! Woohooo! We probably have a week or two before it's time up here . . . =)
While camping alone in nature outdoors I discovered some masculine qualities about myself that I never knew! I especially realized I can be calm and feel powerful when danger is around. Nature is truly a great teacher. Got a question though...any advice on finding a girlfriend to go on epic long journey nature outdoor adventures? It would make for a truly romantic relationship.
Nicholas, that's a great definition of masculinity -- and one many of us men aren't capable of! As for finding a woman who can share that sort of journey, your best bet is probably finding groups of adventurers near you -- universities often have outings open to the public, there might be Meetups, or FB groups that are devoted to adventuring in your area. I'm thinking climbing groups, hiking groups, historical reenactment camping groups, etc. I hope you find that special someone Nicholas!!
I’m a 45 year old man, and I’m scared of the forest at night, specifically when no one is around you and it gets so dark you can’t even see your hand.
I carry my gun on my hip when I hunt, but what scares me is not knowing what is in there. There’s been over a thousand hunters missing, they go missing in strange ways. There’s certain areas like the Bermuda Triangle that’s unexplained. Some say there’s forest Native American cursed for us to go crazy and can’t find our selves out. Some say possible abductions. There’s a good documentary called The Missing 411 The Hunted.
Maybe I believe things like this cuz when I was 19 years old myself and two friends saw something we were in shock, it wasn’t normal. If you tell people they’ll say you were just high and you imagined it. It’s hard to say that when the 3 of us saw it. We asked each other if we seen that?
I also felt I was cursed to see what I saw cuz my grandma use to tell me about these things and I just thought she was old fashioned and people like her would see something but think or imagine something that it wasn’t. I never thought she was crazy I guess I just didn’t really took it serious.
I believe! I’m not embarrassed
Oh, and talking about peoples' inner beast was GREAT! I go deep into the woods to bring that out.
I work in video games and design and write heroic fantasy. So, I need to experience adrenaline rushes and danger every once in a while.
I've been wanting to do a video on video games for a while. I feel like they have enormous potential to awaken the "adventuring spirit" in people. Although I often speak out against them because of their potential to addict people, I also realize that video games, role playing games, and fantasy novels where the very thing that gave me my desire for adventure and exploration. I owe a lot to them, and feel they have enormous power to inspire us.
@@ReWildUniversity They do inspire people! That's my goal when I design or write. But I need to draw from reality when I create. My karate experience and crazy hiking adventures around the world have been great. I can't imagine trying to create heroic fantasy while being a 250lb couch potato. Look at the biography of Louis Lamour. Survived the great depression, went on cattle drives, worked in mines, worked in logging, herded elephants, fought in WW2 as a Captain, traveled the world is a merchant seaman, survived a ship wreck... This guy had adventures! And his books became John Wayne movies!
@@Poisonedblade He was one of my father's favorite authors -- as you say, I think it's because he lived the adventure!
@@ReWildUniversity Yes! Imagine the people Louis L'amour worked along side. Real heroes who battled nature and Nazis. If you weren't the toughest, you'd have to quit or you'd probably die. There are no excuses you can make in a life like his. It's all live or die most of the time. He can draw from his own experiences or the people around him. It would be amazing just to talk to some of these people. I've tried to live an exciting life, but it's about 10% of what he has gone through.
@@Poisonedblade So inspiring!!!
I have been stocked by a cougar that was one of the most scared I have been.
That must have been INTENSE!!!
Lots of people in the comment section are worried about lymes. Im worried too. I once talked to a lady who couldnt go to church because the ceiling fans gave her seizures due to lymes. Looking at your replies, it seems like it isnt that bad... Could you do a video on it please! I think we would all like one! Cover misconceptions, prevention, treatment, etc. Thanks!
Raye, I'll consider doing a video on Lyme. I've had it four times, and known a lot of people who have had it, so maybe I could add a bit of knowledge to things!
=) Kenton
Thank you for this.. very powerful and so true. I am scared of the dark.. and I think.. "come get me I am ready.." or sometimes I just pull the blanket over my head and all good. haha!
"Come get me, I am ready." That's actually a powerful method of surrender! Always good to hear from you my friend!
Love,
Kenton =)
Considering I was a boyscout in my youth, is educated as a natureguide and been working in the forest for 10+ years.
It's not much that scares me in the northern hemisphere.
The things that makes me nervous are the things that don't live here usually.
Like sharks, crocs, tigers and that portuguese man-of-war (ya know, the jellyfish).
Otherwise the forest is safer than your average town with all the traffic and crazy people.
The most common injury you can get in the woods are a sprung ankle or broken bone, which you 9 out of 10 times caused by being reckless yourself.
Otherwise I have the worst of luck seeing the cool stuff.
My co-workers once saw an elk cubb so newly born it still had blood on the fur. But I was gone to get the car and saw nothing.
Another time an elk came crashing through the forest and ran right between my co-workers when they had lunchbreak. Yet again I was somewhere else.
We've seen bear three times I think and I one time I was actually there.
It was maybe 200 meters away in the powerline and I and my co-workers was sitting on an hilltop.
This is a picture from one of the times I wasn't there, picture was taken by one of my co-workers.
instagram.com/p/BoBe_oBnYq3zDfWXMDE9AFvCdoQMmsJ5o0BdYc0/?igshid=9musmx1htox4
That's terrible that you miss out on all those things! I tried to follow the link, but it won't work for me. =)
@@ReWildUniversity If you're interested my account name is johanohgren. That was the picture with a bear😁
Very nice! I will surley try your strategy
The problem is that I live in eastern europe, were we still have a lot of shepards... with big dogs that will actually bite you really bad ( once there were 2 dogs that just charged my car while I was driving. They tried somehow to bite my doors --I never said that they were smart).
Domestic dogs are the only animals I've ever had negative encounters with. I can understand what you're saying here =)
Dude! Can I just say... I found your website first and I’ve now watched almost all of your videos (up until recently I haven’t really had access to UA-cam)
You are the nicest, coolest dude I’ve ever not met! We share so much in common and your videos are so inspireing! My partner, my self and my baby are moving into our bus in a few months and taking on a really non conventional lifestyle and your videos prepared me perfectly for making the most and embracing nature, living with less.
I can’t find you on Instagram but we are @thefolkfamilybus
I look forward to more of your videos and I will recommend you to everyone! Stay real! Stay well!
From Kitty (Australia )
Kitty, I'm SO excited about this upcoming adventure. And with your baby! That's so awesome! Imagine all the incredible experiences to come. Way to go, living wild and free!!
Love to you and your family!!!
Kenton =)
Would love to go explore those snowy woods! Love from Florida
Love back from Wisconsin my friend!
I had no idea some people fear the woods? Interesting... Only thing I fear in the woods around here is city folk during hunting season Haha. Seriously though, I never really thought of that being a thing. I guess fear of the unknown and movies like Friday the 13th probably don't help people who only know city life. I agree with mr. Rewild, find a friend/relative who know the woods and just go. Go every chance you can.
"Go every chance you can." YES! I think you're right -- it's often those movies that breed fear into people.
I think if people understand human nature, they also understand animal nature. A bully will tend to attack the meek or vulnerable. An extremely fearful person will attack just like a cornered (thus very fearful) animal will (even a tiny squirrel will bite you in an attempt to save it's own life) . Fear is an instinctual response and animals can smell it (so to speak) just like people can notice it in others. Humans are clearly the greatest predators on earth and animals evolved to be wary of such a threat (for the most part they try to avoid us). Animals have the same fight or flight response as we humans do, so I think we should treat potentially threatening circumstances the same, be it human of animal. Just like you said Kenton, don't let them smell fear on you, but also don't go so far to be aggressive which will insight fear in them, where their instincts compels them to attack (self preservation instinct).
When I was about 12 years old I got in between a big black bear and her cubs (I was walking on a trail with thick brush on each side where the bears were). I was startled from a loud thump (maybe 20 feet away) and then I noticed a big black bear standing up and staring at me from 50 feet away. Then I heard the cubs crying from the other side of the trail, but I never took my eyes off of the imminent threat (mother bear). I must have been in instinctual mode, because I wasn't doing anything until I saw how the bear would react first. The bear eventually dropped down and took a wide circle to her cubs and then I got the hell out of there. Had I just blindly ran away might not have ended so well.
I have ran into a few bears, cougars, coyotes, moose and the only instances where they didn't run away instantly was mother bear with cubs and 1 moose was a little too fearless for comfort.
I think we tend to assume all animals have the same temperament, even though we know most humans are safe and a few are abnormally aggressive/dangerous. Animals are the same as humans regarding instincts (we are way more instinctual than most people would like to admit).
The bottom line is that there are some dangerous animals in the woods and in society. If a person lives in a city (high concentration of people, thus part of the instinctual animal world), they have nothing to fear placing themselves in the woods (much lower concentration of animals, thus less likely to come across a rogue animal that might want to harm them). People can learn a lot about themselves by watching raw animal instincts in the wild, because we evolved from the same innate instincts. We have cognitive processes which can override some of our instincts, but those aren't strong in all people and I doubt anyone can override all of them, nor should we want to, because they are much of who we are. We just need to learn how to override the nasty ones, just like that very rare wild bear that is hell bend on eating you. Most will run away due to their natural fear of humans. Logically the pitch blackness of the forest is safer than the bright city light at night.
As always, great advise Kenton.
As usual, you sum up my very thoughts. That's quite an experience you had with that bear, by the way!!
You're seeing that animals are individuals. So true! There is "standard" behavior, but that's just a baseline, as it is for humans -- individuals will usually deviate to a lower or higher degree from that baseline.
I especially appreciated your description of the role of fear in all of this, and how a fear response or an aggressive response both can invoke violence. It was so well said by you! Thanks as always for your presence here my friend =)
My fear is snakes. The only snakes I've come across on my property are garter snakes, although I've been in the woods and seen some larger snakes. Something about them just freaks me out. I'm trying to accept them but it's a slow process.
I can understand this one! Rebecca and I used to keep snakes, and we'd take them to libraries and schools to do programs that helped people overcome that fear. It's powerful in a lot of us. Keep it up -- they are marvelous creatures and I think the day you catch your first one and hold it (the garter snake will "skunk" you with a yellow smelly poop, but it washes off eventually =) will be so liberating!
Here in the northeastern US about the only things that worry me in the woods are other people (but not all that much) and deer ticks. In other parts of the country I'd be wary - but not afraid - of venomous snakes. I think camping in grizzly country would make me pretty nervous.
Deer ticks. That is definitely an animal to respect.
I’m a deer hunter and for some reason I just can’t get over running into a mountain lion or pack of coyotes or somethin. Almost got smoked by a deer I spooked up a couple hours before light as well. All gets me and I don’t know why
Hello friend. For some reason during the day, my biggest fear is if a dog is not a leash because I walk with my 2 dogs. 1 is on a leash and the other is for obvious reasons. And i get worried that mia, the one not on the leash, will get in a fight with another dog. But other than that, I'm completing goals of going farther on my own. Without my brother. Lol.
Nice! And that's a legitimate fear -- the domesticated dog is one of the most dangerous animals we can encounter. Still, we can learn to "read" them very well (which you are probably already very good at), and I bet you have a way of soothing them, too =)
I'M a distant loon!🤣 Good to see you guys salting the earth again!
I’ve always been scared of the woods
I can understand. At the same time, I can promise there is wonder and adventure out there waiting if you explore those fears! Not easy, but you can do it!!! =)
We love the wood day or dark. Spent many nights walking out after a long hunt. However I am never without a Sidearm. I have been surrounded by wolves once and have seen a Cougar take down a deer one. I rather them big Apex predators not be giving the opportunity to get close enough to cause death or harm to me.
I be more scared to swim on the Ocean. No, not for me at all.
The ocean can be SO scary for people. And yet such wonders! So good to hear you all love the woods so much -- your love of nature shows in your daughter's videos!!
I have slept outside before. The area I slept in(according to my monkey mind) was filling with rabid wolves.
The way I finally got to sleep was this; I decided that if I was to face a rabid wolf It would be prudent to get some sleep so that I was “prepared for combat”. After making that decision I was much more relaxed. I then focused on the sensation of my breath until I fell asleep.
Nice. You found a way to calm that part of our brain that some people call "primitive" but I'd call the "frightened civilized" brain. You tapped into something ancestral -- that calm sense of power that is innate inside of us, hidden under all these civilized fears. Inspiring Ian!
=) Kenton
Kenton, I am not afraid of the predators, but I am terrified of a tiny tick. My biggest fear is getting Lyme disease. Here in southeast Pennsylvania we have the highest rate of Lymes disease in the country. How do I overcome this fear? This is relatively recent. I never even thought about it until all of the awareness campaigns, which is a good thing. I’m ok in the winter, but spring will be here soon and I want to get out in the woods more often, and especially in the nice weather.
This is a good question.
Aaron Wow! Thank you so much for the info. I’m so glad to hear that the doxy worked relatively well. Some people need to be on a combination of antibiotics for a lot longer. Good thing you went to the hospital as soon as you started feeling symptoms. Good luck on the upcoming four-month adventure and good luck on the hike as well. You have definitely inspired me because you did not let the disease stop you from going back into the woods. Let us know how it goes!
Anthony, that's a viable fear. Lyme is not fun, as Aaron can attest to. I've had it four times! Doxy each time, but I always insist on 28 days. The docs don't like to give out that much, but it's what I used the first time, and it's worked each time. I couldn't believe it when they gave Aaron only 10 days. And sure enough, he got sick again shortly thereafter.
As for prevention, our family does a religious whole-body (check all the cracks!) check every night. That's kept us Lyme free since we started it.
ReWildUniversity Thank you so much Kenton! You and Aaron have eased my mind. I will not let fear stop me from doing what I love!
Thanks for the help Kenton. Do you recieve each animal in the woods differently? If so, how?
Alan, I do, although for each one, my desire is usually to welcome them in close to me. I love close animal encounters! For "prey" species, I tend to become as rock or tree-like as possible, so as not to give off any predator energy that might scare them away. For small predators that can't hurt me, like a fox or coyote, I often become like prey, hoping to draw them in closer. For larger predators, I try to become an "equal", so that they don't fear me, but also don't see me as something to nibble upon =)
I'm a trail runner and as fall is taking place... i had to turn around twice due to fear of wild animal encounter... today i seen a freshly killed hair in the middle of the trail a was running.... i guess it was just dropped by an animal scared of the bear bell 🔔 i have on me.... i could keep going instead of 1h40 min run i was only able to do 35min... 😔
Trail running! Nothing better!!! =) Sounds like you're not being fearful really -- just aware =)
when I go camping alone I am not afraid of the wildlife but I am afraid of people. There is no easy way to justify why but the feeling of not knowing who I can hear or not knowing where they are makes my heart race. I am 17 years old and have been camping for a while with family but have taken it upon myself to start camping alone. In the uk the wildlife is very tame which puts me at ease when camping but unidentifiable noises put me on a primal level of fear. The thought of laying in my hammock and hearing distant voices puts me off camping. I wish I could overcome this somehow but I haven’t yet done so. Have you got any tips to overcome my fear? Many thanks.
I can totally understand, my friend. Actually, humans are probably my biggest concern as well, especially when camping in very out-of-the-way places. There are a couple of things you could do to mitigate this. The first, and probably most useful and important, would be to recondition your mind in regards to humans. Our media and much "modern wisdom" consistently tells us that humans are basically evil creatures out to do harm. The reality is that although there are deviants, most people are basically good. Read a book like "Tribe" that will tell a more realistic story of how people behave in very difficult circumstances, read thegoodnewsnetwork.org each day as your news source, and you'll hear about people helping other people, and in your daily life, step out of your own way in order to help people out. I've found that when I do a good deed for a stranger, I often get to see through the superficial veil they are wearing and discover a very kind person right beneath.
Then, while you recondition your mind to a more realistic viewpoint of human beings, prepare for those possible deviants by learning some high-quality martial arts. My personal recommendation is BJJ, catch wrestling, or some other groundfighting technique. I could do into depth about why I'd recommend that over a striking art, but that would be a small book =) However, if you add a striking art to the BJJ, you're golden. If you have no other options, there is now some really good instruction you can get online.
Finally, you can deepen your woods awareness to the point where you can know when humans are coming when they are still pretty far away. I have a few videos on this, but the general idea is that you learn bird alarm calls, squirrel alarm calls, and check out my "delving meditation" for ways to sort of "feel" the whole woods. Humans are loud and make a lot of disturbance. If you "rewild" to the point where you can sense other humans easily, you'll feel very at home in the woods.
Oh yes, one last one. My brother and I used to practice "deer running", and my daughters and I do it now. It's the idea of running like a deer through the woods, jumping over things, changing directions, crawling through thickets . . . if you learn to run through the woods like that, no one would ever be able to catch you. =)
Hope you find some of this helpful! I am excited that you have such and adventuring spirit!
Thank you! I found this very helpful 🌲
We don't have big predators or real poisonous snakes here. We have an adder, (viper), that could maybe kill a small child, but those come real rare. I lack a fear of animals, (other then spiders for some crazy reason), what can be dangerous on itself. As a child, my parents took me to a safari park. They had to hold me down to keep me from going to pet the lions, they had to save me from a huge ape, that I came to close to, and it grabbed me, they had to drag me from inbetween the legs of an elephant.. They never took me to a safari park again.
My exhusband and me had an animal rescue.
He had all kinds of poisonous snakes, among other animals, when I got to meet him.
There are people that hold dangerous snakes behind chickenwire here, and things alike, or they just did not look after them.
If the police found one, the snakes, lizards, monitors, etc., were taken to him.
Over the time we were together, we had more and more, since I was helping him with all my heart.
We had all kinds of exotic animals, that should not be living in captivity.
People just buy them, when they are babies, and then they grow too big or too dangerous, and they want them gone.
Zoo's have a problem taking them all in.
People really should think and inform themselfs, before buying an animal.
He had to lock the tanks with the poisonous snakes, and keep the keys away from me, for I am kind of slow in reacting compared to snakes, and had no fear of those either.
I wanted to pet/befriend the cobras. I was fascinated by those.
Snakes, it seems never get to know you, and would bite even after you've taken care of them for years.
He forbid me to go near any of the poisonous snakes.
I did feed one anyways, one day though.
He forgot to feed it for a while, when he was living with his new girlfriend.
We were looking for new homes for all the animals, since I could not look after them all by myself, and his new girlfriend did not want them in the house. (My heart broke a thousand times..)
We only had that one desert snake left, also poisonous, a Cerastes Cerastes. Very cute: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerastes_cerastes
I told him several times, it had no water and no food for long, he kept telling me it could last without for long. It did not find water nor food in the desert every day either.
He would look after it "tomorrow".
Though I could just not see it hungry and thirsty. And that tank was not locked anymore.
It is not as poisonous. And I guess over the years he thought I got the message.
lol...
It all went well, I had seen him do it so very often.
You can see a mouse sit in a snake for a while, and of course he came to take care of it that day.
I went like "oh oh", when he went upstairs.
When he saw the water, and the bump in the snake, he went out of his mind.
He took it out of the house, and to a friend of his, that same day.
(No, we don't hate eachother, we just didn't make a good couple, and are better as friends. ;) )
I have been bitten by lots of animals, strangled by snakes, and what not.
For some reason I forget those things, and still have this feeling "they won't hurt me".
I feel most at home in the woods, it is the city that makes me feel unsafe. People are the most unpredictable.
Maybe you can teach how to respond to certain animals, for those that live in an area where they live, like what do you do if you find yourself in front of a momma bear. Just an idea.
Much love! Have a beautiful day!
Hi Jane!
How interesting. Snakes have been a big part of our lives, too. We used to keep quite a few, and take them to schools and libraries to help people get over their fears. But I've never been around venomous ones! Cobras must be so beautiful!
Love,
Kenton
@@ReWildUniversity Many snakes are beautiful! My ex hubby also had Gabonica Gabonica, and another kind of that family. Those were the most beautiful! Here is an article, the second picture is kind of the colour they have, if they just shedded their skin: animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bitis_gabonica/
That were the snakes I stayed away from voluntarily!
Those lay perfectly still, and one day I saw my ex throw in a (dead) rat, the snake moved like lightning!
It caught the rat before it even hit the ground, and held it up.
Their teeth are extreemly long, and their poison is with the most horrible.
He had 2 African Forest Cobra's, HUGE!
There was something about them, they were just hypnotizing me.
Their eyes, they looked so intelligent, and kind of as if they studied me.
I could sit in front of their tank for an hour, just watching them, while they were watching me.
And I was SO SURE they would not bite me!
Till that one day, where the biggest one came to the glass where I was, just sitting on the other side of it, looking at me, as he often did.
I went closer to the glass, as I had done many times before. Smiling at him lovingly.
All the sudden he banged against the glass so hard, I thought it would break!
Twice, also fast as lightning!
The poison was dripping off of it!
Man, I was happy there was the tickest of safety glass inbetween us then!!! lol
I did learn to respect some of the snakes allright.
I never would have opened those tanks, not the Gabonica's, nor the Cobra's, the Russelii Vipers, etc.
They were all far too fast and dangerous.
My ex knew how to handle them, I for sure was far too slow for that.
Though I was more afraid of the Goliath spider he had, (Theraphosa Blondi), then of any of his snakes.
If that thing had come out of it's tank, you would have found me in the next village!
The snakes, I respected, I had no fear.
I did take care of the stranglers, he did the poisonous ones, I was fine with that.
I only did it that one time, and Gizmo, (as we called it), the Cerastus, was not so big, nor as dangerous.
I miss those days.
But I will let you be, I am rambling your ears off..lol
I would love to hear more about your experiances with animals for sure!
I hope I will in your video's, if you feel like that.
I wish you all a beautiful day, hugs for all of you! :D
Ps. He did buy me a Mexican Redknee female spider, (Brachypelma Smithi), to get me over my huge fear for spiders. For some reason I loved her, she was beautiful, and not agressive at all. It helped me a lot to get over my spider fobia, but most spiders are still not for me. Can't love them all, I guess. ;)
@@JackyHeijmans A Gaboon viper! One of our all-time favorite beautiful snakes!! Wow, those cobra strikes sound amazing!
@@ReWildUniversity Yea, that was very impressive, to have that coming towards your face! I was just on the other side of the glass. :P He had me shaking alright!! lol
Interesting thank you, when in the bush and only at night I fear the dark. i feel the woods are closing in on me, ( I am claustrophobic) i also fear the black bear up here in Ontario and carry bear spray which is only good if it is ex number of feet away. I also carry bear bangers by tru flare. I find it hard to sleep in my tent at night , yet I keep going. i feel it is the fear of the unknown. and the fear of whatever is out there at night will come upon me when least expected . i feel they are watching from the hill above the camp and will come when the fire is out. Hmmmm
I can understand! One thing that might help with bears is seeing if any area bear biologists have programs where you can meet the bears in some way. Love to you!
in fact there is a bear sanctuary north of me
A friend was out hunting and fell asleep....Waking to find a big, cute, little Skunk curled up on his tummy.....Skunks get a bad rap because of their flatulence issues.....Like a first date... They'er actually, really sweet things..... Until they fart...🤣🤣🤣
Wow, that sounds like a quick way to wake up.
What a story! They are indeed lovable creatures, and don't usually spray unless you really provoke them. =)
Every time I start to fear nature, I break sticks and eat grass to establish my dominance.
Ha! =)
Have to re-read my old living in Alaska notes but if memory serves me a black bear isn't known for false charging. Grizz will try it but not sure about the black bears. Hmm maybe that monk was lucky.
Funny how a raccoon in the dark sounds like a buffalo crashing around the woods. Hahaha good message sir
Mark, a few years ago I was walking through the woods at night and I heard something coming my way. I hunkered down next to a tree and waited. There were multiple creatures, and as you say, they sounded HUGE! Then, around the tree came a raccoon. We stood face-to-face for a moment and then he turned away and climbed the very tree I was squatting next to! =)
Yes i have a fear of the night
Shawndell, I can understand! I did too. It was SUPER scary for me. It's funny that I now feel the opposite about it!
Hey Kenton! Nice to know you were at the teaching drum. Always dreamt to go there, since I first heard about it more than a decade ago. Still do, but after I met your channel I'm in doubt if should go there or you your RewildU. Both would be great, I think, but they're kinda way far from my reality and I don't know how to bridge that (my reality being of a middle to low class teacher/biologist living in Brazil, with family and relationship and jobs ties here and not much money... although maybe I could or will be able to afford going with part of my savings).
I sometimes dream too about building a similar course here in Brazil, maybe in similar lines but perhaps broadening the scope to a few other ideas, like making it side by side with a regular school for young kids or a community service ong of some sort.
Hey, btw, how to best contact you guys about the rewildU and the monk training?
I love that you'd want to start your own similar program! I always envision people doing that -- taking their experience at ReWildU and creating something similar in other parts of the world. You can learn more about the program here: rewildu.com/classes/forest-monk-training-programs/
My email is at the bottom so you can contact me directly!
Love,
Kenton =)
I'm not really afraid of what I can see. I'm more afraid of the ants and ticks or other insects and bugs. Where I go always has tonnes of fire ants and a few ticks so I can never really lay down anywhere to relax. Fire ant bites are far more annoying than painful.
Insects can really be difficult for people -- especially as some of them carry diseases that are much more dangerous than the "big" animals we're usually afraid of! =)
Once, on fire towers, I went out to the equipment shed to turn off the gen set, which placed me in darkness till back inside to turn on a 12 volt light. On the sidewalk before I got to the tower's ladder hoop I always had to duck under it occurred to me I could not see the tree line. All around. And after standing waiting and waiting for my eyes to adjust - they had been adjusted all along. No moon and a ton of cloud. That was cool. As I've said, I craved seeing the critters more than anything. I physically ached at times longing for my next sighting. I drew them to me. They were all my babies. I wanted to hug them and give them the boot at the same time, except for the bull moose and whitetail doe and female peregrine. They were different. They sought me. They were messengers. They knew things and I later found out the why. :)
That experience you had at the fire tower sounds so amazing -- mystical in its depth. I always love hearing your stories from that time!
This is where I've kept them most up to date: thenextpoetician.blogspot.com/
Have you heard of Dr Bruce Lipton, and epigenetics?
Hi Kenton! The thing I fear the most about going in the woods is ticks, especially because I like going barefoot but I can't do it because of that. I wanted to ask you what is your opinion on preventing onself from ticks, especially when going barefoot (I remember you used to walk around barefoot a lot). Is it a mechanism similar to the surrender to mosquitos? And what about the diseases caused by tick bites?
Thank you!
Great question Aleksej. I do go barefoot except in winter, and actually
find that it's easier to feel ticks on me when I'm barefoot. If I have
shoes with clothes tucked in, as often recommended, the ticks crawl all
the way up to your head until they get on your body. Then you only have a
few inches to sense them. But if they start at your feet, you'll
usually feel them walking somewhere along their journey up your legs or
torso =)
@@ReWildUniversity Ok! Thank you for the response! Then it means there is no way to completely avoid them and you just have to take them off of you in time hahah.
Thank you very much, I was very cuorious of what you was going to say about them. Much love!
@@aleksejpetrov2293 Yeah, they are one of the most dangerous creatures in the woods these days =) Check carefully, and adventure on! Much love to you as well my friend!!!
I hear you mentioning Wisconsin in your videos and you got a fellow Wisconsinite here! What region if you don’t mind me asking?
Awesome!!! We're in northern Wisconsin, up near Hayward. How about you, Nick?
=) Kenton
ReWildUniversity Kenton, from the Eau Claire area! Very cool to see you surviving only a few hours from myself!
@@nicklarson9814 Wow! Our last home base was right down in Menomonie! So cool that we're so close!
ReWildUniversity Very!
Wisconsin is where ive been born and raised, Goodman. The forests are beautiful but i fear wolves because they are rapidly growing in numbers up here so i need something like my buck knife to make myself a tiny bit less scared and a pistol to make myselr feel less unprotected. I hate fear.
My friend, you did something here that most people are unable to do -- you identified the trigger for your fear (wolves), but then had the wisdom to see that it was your fear, and not the trigger, which was the real source of the problem. Most of us blame the trigger, and then we go through life never able to overcome our fears.
Rebecca and I were actually wolf trackers for the DNR probably 25 years ago, when the wolves were in really sad shape in Wisconsin. Over the decades, we've watched their population grow. Now, up by the old ReWildU campus, we can go out anytime during the winter and track the wolves along their frozen stream "highways". Often we'll take a pack of kids with us at night, all of us tracking these big canids for hours in the moonlight. And no firearms. I say this because I can speak from experience (my own, and from many wolf researchers I've spoken with) that the wolves aren't out to harm us. In fact, they are some of the most amazing and elusive creatures in the forest -- it's quite an amazing thing to see one!
Education has been my best friend when trying to overcome fears. Yes, you can go online and read a lot of horror stories about wolves, but I've yet to meet a real-life woodsperson or wilderness guide who has actually had negative wolf encounters. I have relatives in Wyoming who see wolves nearly ever day as they guide people on hunting and pack trips into the mountains, and they have no fear of the wolves at all.
To start to intake a different perspective, you could start with Farley Mowat's "Never Cry Wolf" (the book, not the movie). It's probably half-fiction half non-fiction, but it shows a different perspective of wolves, and his findings have been expanded upon by other wolf researchers and authors, such as Lu Carbyn and Barry Lopez. If you want a really up-close-and-personal intro to wolves, spring for a copy of "Brother Wolf" by Jim Brandenburg, an Ely, MN wolf photographer. That photo-book made me fall in love with the creatures and really want to get close to them.
As you shift from fear of wolves into love of them, you will find yourself sharing the great northern forests with brothers and sisters who have paws instead of hands and who fill the night with their howls (the howl of a wolf, if you haven't heard it before, will stir you to the soul =). You'll gain a new excitement when you go out into the woods, and will thrill at finding a track. When that fear leaves, it's as if a whole new world opens up, and as you start intaking new sources of information, and learn that people's fear is only because they don't know what wolves really are, people's fear-stories won't touch you any more. It's a real freedom.
I hope this helps. My biggest hope is that you can find your way through this fear and, someday, stand in a moonlit wood as wolves howl not too far distant, you standing there with a wide smile on your face, feeling more alive than you've ever felt before.
With love,
Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity, wow. Thank you. I will keep reading up on wolf encounters and that book, and will try to go into forests without a weapon. Thank you so much, you have reassured me about my Safety in forests.
With love and gratitude,
ElfLord YT a.k.a Christopher Leon Frank.
@@elflordyt6830 Christopher, I wish I could go out with you personally. You're not anywhere near Hayward, are you? I could maybe get one of my old ReWildU teachers to take you out. It's AMAZING to go on those winter wolf treks. You reach down and touch a wolf track in the snow, and it's mind-blowing thinking that a wolf touched that same snow only hours before.
Kudos to you for facing your fears and finding your way through them. Most of us flee and don't look back =)
Write me at rewilduniversity@gmail.com if you want me to try to hook you up with that ReWildU teacher for a winter wolf walk!
@@ReWildUniversity yeah thanks! And sadly, i am about two or three hours of a drive aeay from hayward, and dont have a vehicle yet becuase i just turned 18. I so totally would go there if i could, and thank you so much! And i gotta say: ive always been fascinated by wolves but those irrational fears gnawed at me for my whole life but now i will grt rid of them! Thank you! Ill definitely try to go there on the walks when i am financially stable!
@@elflordyt6830 You rock!! Keep me informed of your journey! I always wanted to be an elf, so when I saw your YT name it made me think you were probably a kindred spirit =)
Hello
I'm scared of boars in my area because they are so big and can attack you. Any tips on that?
I can relate! We had them in Hawaii, and they were pretty intimidating. With such fears, I often find that learning about the animal is best. Your fear isn't unfounded -- pigs DO attack humans. However, some research will show that's about the same as our black bear situation up here -- sometimes those bears attack people, seemingly unprovoked. And yet, the attacks are rare enough that we started to realize that we were in MUCH more danger every time we got into a car. And that led to getting to know the bears personally, as amazing, curious, intelligent animals.
In Hawaii, everyone told me that the pigs were incredibly dangerous. But some research showed that there were not a lot of attacks. So I started trying to encounter them, and discovered that it was tough to get close to them because they were so afraid of me.
Often, it seems, the truth is much different than people's fears!
With the bears, I even eventually crawled into a den and petted one while it was half-hibernating. Amazing experience!
So what would happen if you started getting to learn more about the pigs. What do they like to eat? What habitats do they favor? When are they most aggressive? (here is a research paper on attacks - digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=icwdm_wdmconfproc)
What funny behaviors do they have? What do their tracks look like?
In other words, most people are afraid of them, but if you become a "researcher of pigs", you'll become fascinated rather than afraid. You can still get good at climbing trees (ua-cam.com/video/RkuCshpcevU/v-deo.html), which is a good escape, but if you become a layperson expert on them, I bet you could change that fear into wonder.
Our girls have done this with various fears, including bees and spiders, and it's been amazing to see the shift!
Let me know if you try this, and if it works for you!
Love,
Kenton =)
@@ReWildUniversity thx for the answer! I will definitely look into that information!!
@@supersiem1431 I'd love to hear from you a month or so from now to hear if it helped!! =)
Offtopic: you can filter that hum-sound with an equalizer in your video editing program. Just find the "sweatspot" and turn that frequency down. OR you can extract the audio and do it with a audio program, when the video editor can't do it.
Or if you need further help contact me.
Can't watch the video because of that. I know it's my problem and it drives me crazy.
Thanks for the info my friend! I'll check into that!
Can you check out my shelter building video new
Well done! Your skills have come a long way my friend!! Awesome!
Thank you