EXPLORING... EDIBLE WILD FOODS

Learn how to identify and use common wild plants found anywhere in the U.S. Join Christopher Nyerges as he explores a wild area and shows you common edible and medicinal plants. Some poisonous plants are also shown, as well as plants used to make fire. One hour video.

$22

SURVIVAL FOOD VIDEO

We now have a video showing us gathering wild foods in downtown Los Angeles. We collected near to the original Yangna Indian village site. The show, called “SURVIVAL FOODS,” was produced by Huell Howser, part of his “Visiting” series for public TV. This demonstrates that if you can make a meal in the heart of one of the world’s major urban centers, there’s no need for anyone to ever go hungry.

$20.

FIRE BY FRICTION

Learn the basics of making fire with a bow and drill – no details are left out. You’ll start with dead willow wood and see the entire process all the way to a flame.

$22.

WILDERNESS SHELTERS

What do you do if you’re lost in the woods, or snow? How do you protect your body’s core temperature? These are methods, old and new, for staying alive all night by using what nature has provided and what you have provided.

$22.

TRAPS AND SNARES

An excellent summary of figure 4 deadfalls, snares, and various traps. Hand-fishing, the Ojibway bird trap, and trapping ethics included. Some ingenious and effective methods are shown that are seldom depicted. Not for the squeamish-- there is some footage of trapped and dead animals.

PRIMITIVE WEAPONS

Learn how to make arrows, a quick atlatl, a sling, a fastibal (sling variation), a throwing stick, a throwing star, and more. A useful video, with details that you generally can’t get in books.

$22.

NAVIGATION

You’ll learn about the many primitive, as well as modern, methods to tell direction. Discover how to use the stars for navigation. Included is how to make a sun compass, and the shadow method for telling direction. How to use an analog watch is included, and practical travel tips.

$22.

DESERT SURVIVAL

Learn some of the tried and proven methods for getting water from the desert, such as using cactus, or a solar still, and a transpiration bag. You’ll learn some practical methods for determining where to find water, and considerations about shade and shelter. See how to clean a rattlesnake. Considerations on choosing a knife.

$22.

SEARCHING FOR THE MEANING OF LIFE:
Shining Bear Chronicles
by Victor Woodenturtle
This true story begins with the author’s seeking out Shining Bear for his wisdom and guidance, their early conversations and experiences, and various lessons taught along the way. Each chapter reads like a discrete story, with the full book attempting to paint a picture of what it takes to learn what is referred to as "the short path." Topics addressed include pain, Real Healing, the nature of thoughts, breath, health and disease, the importance of commemorating birthdays and holy days, dealing with plants, and more. A diverse and thought-provoking book.
Spiral bound. $25.

Guide to Wild Foods and useful Plants

This is an ideal plant book for beginners and experts to get to know the edible wild flora. Fully illustrated, many original references. Pictorial key to all plants included.

$15.99 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE.  CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY.

ENTER THE FOREST

Based upon Christophers’ survival classes in the Angeles National Forest, this book covers animal signs, ecology, primitive fire-making, finding and purifying water, Native American foods, and more. Illustrated.

$9.50

EXTREME SIMPLICITY

Homesteading in the City by Christopher and Dolores Lynn Nyerges. Want to learn how to produce more of your food, generate some of your power, or cook with the sun? Do you desire to make your own compost and learn to create a wildlife sanctuary even in the city? Here is book that tells how we went about this, step by step, on a low budget. The "Economics and Self-Reliance"

$16.95

SURVIVAL SKILLS OF NATIVE CALIFORNIA,

Paul Campbell's book is a dream-come-true for anyone interested in the specific skills used day in and out by California’s pre-mission people. Included is how to make sandals, rope, nets, arrows, bows, hunting skills, plant information, soap plants, and more. Campbell takes you through it all step by step, with lots of photos

$40.00

OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS

by Larry Dean Olsen. Here is the original book on primitive skills, one that Christopher regarded as his “bible” when growing up. The book includes edible plants, shelters, finding water, making weapons, weaving, flint-knapping, and more. Fully illustrated. 240 pages.

$15.50

BOTANY IN A DAY

by Tom Elpel. This is the best treatment of botany we have seen. Learn how to recognize the major plant families, and how to understand some of the basic chemistry of plants. 8 ½ x 11 format, 196 pages.

$25

DANDELION CELEBRATION

by Peter Gail. Dandelions are one of the best sources of vitamins and minerals on the face of the earth. Complete information about dandelions, plus recipes

$10.95

EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE WEST

by Gregory Tilford. This is THE book for those of you who insist on clear simple text and good color photos. Particularly useful since many of the plants are actually found nation-wide. 239 pages

$22

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS MEDICINE

by Ran Knishinsky. Here is the scientific evidence that prickly pear cactus fruits and pads are useful for treating diabetess, cholesterol, and the immune system. Recipes and methods of preparation are also included

$9.50

FIRE STARTING TOOLS
MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER.

This is THE fire-starting tool that everyone should carry, all the time. It is a block of magnesium from which you scrape shavings. Then, using the built-in sparker, you ignite the powdered magnesium. This tool provides thousands of lights. No moving parts, nothing to re-fill or wear .

BOW AND DRILL.

We assemble a primitive kit so you can practice fire-making the Old Way. You receive bow, drill, hearth, socket, and instructions.

HAND DRILL

This is the simplest, but hardest, method of primitive fire-starting. We send you a mulefat hand drill, a baseplate of willow or ash, and instructions. Practice this with a partner.

FLINT & STEEL KIT

Our standard kit includes a “U”-shaped steel, cotton tinder, and instructions all packed into a tin.

EZE-LAP DIAMOND KNIFE SHARPENER

A good knife sharpener is a MUST. This one is compact, and fits into a leather case.

COLD STEEL BUSHMAN

This is an awesome one-piece knife capable of incredible punishment, such as splitting logs (for making bows, or hearths for fire-making, etc.). The hollow handle allows you to attach a handle. High carbon steel. Includes a sheath. The blade is 7 inches; the knife is 12 1/4 inches overall.

THE GROHMANN KNIFE, ORIGINAL DESIGN

This knife won the 1958 Design Award. It has a full tang, with the total length of 8 1/2 inches. The blade is approx. 4 inches long by one inch wide. Includes leather sheath.

$75.

TIMBERLINE WATER FILTER

This is an easy-to-use, light-weight water filter pump. It will provide protection against giardia, cryptosporidium, and other organisms of equal or larger size such as amoeba, tapeworm eggs, etc.

MUGWORT

"You can never have enough mugwort!" Dried mugwort is one of the best materials for getting your primitive fire going. You make a birdnest-shape from the dried leaves, add your ember and blow on it until you get a flame. Native Americans used mugwort cigars in the old days to carry thier ember from camp to camp. It is also used in Chinese acupuncture, called "moxa." You'll get a sandwich bag pouch of the dried leaves.

EPAZOTE

Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosiodes) has been used in Mexico and Central America for centuries. Though it has been used for many herbal remedies, it is most commonly known as an anti-flatulent [nature's Bean-O] when added to beans. Use in your cooked foods, or even add to dog food to prevent gas and indigestion.

WOODENTURTLE’S WILD CALUMET SMOKING MIX.

This is a tobacco-free blend of wild herbs. We use manzanita leaf, mullein, mugwort, sage, passionflower leaf, yerba santa, willow bark, and others.