This week, we continue our discussion of my top-10 bushcraft skills.  We cover the next four skills on my list.  Many people carry 550 cord, but how do you actually use it?  Can you tie a knot that you'd bet your life on?  How scared of grizzly bears should you be?  How do you even choose where to pitch your tent?  What happens if you need to cross a stream?  Am I more likely to be struck by lightning or eaten by a grizzly bear?  Is pepper spray just hot sauce for that bear's breakfast burrito (me in my sleeping bag)?  

Here's your bonus content for the month.  How do you get a fish bone out of your throat?  Our book of the month is Ireland by Frank Delaney.  The challenge for the month is to do a pencil drawing- don't worry, I give you some tips.  

Survival skills are one thing, but bushcraft skills will keep you out of a survival situation.  If you want to fish, hunt, backpack, or recreate in the backcountry, these ten skills are absolutely critical.  

I get a lot of questions about "survival skills," so I decided to pick a few of them and answer them on this episode.  We're going to discuss some basic fire starting techniques, essential survival gear, and practical exercises you can start doing to improve your own odds of survival.  

Lambsquarters are one of the easiest wild plants to identify, gather and cook.  That's exactly what we're doing in this episode.  

Today is all about situational awareness.  This is a skill that's trained and practiced, not something that's inherent in a select few.  

Ok, seriously, this week I've been working really hard on moving around a lot of heavy dirt and stone.  Maybe it's not so glamorous, but it's what I've been working on, so it's what I get to talk about.  

More bonus content!  We're back to our regular three items for the monthly bonus episodes- pro tip, book recommendation, and challenge.  This month, we talk about how to light a match like a boss.  Our book of the month is "All the Pretty Horses" by Cormac McCarthy.  The challenge for the month is to do something you've never done before.  

Many wild plants are edible.  I recommend learning one at a time.  Start with plants that grow where you live.  Learn how to identify them, how to harvest them, and how to prepare them.  Today we're doing that with wild wavy-leaf thistle.  

Words are important.  Words are arguably one of the most decisive single factors in human history.  So it's important to know what you're saying.  Speak accurately and correctly, know your implications, and be aware of the context of your expressions.