The Backwoodsman: Bushcraft

Master essential bushcraft skills, build traditional tools, and embrace self-reliance with several of The Backwoodsman magazine’s timeless articles.

As a child, Charlie Richie Jr. watched his father build bows and arrows, canoes, and various types of trappings—and fall in love with these old ways of living. In 1979, Charlie Sr. was inspired to create The Backwoodsman magazine, with a mission to preserve and share timeless outdoor skills that will forever be relevant.

In The Backwoodsman: Bushcraft, Charlie Jr. collects nearly 50 of the magazine’s best bushcraft-related articles, written by seasoned craftspeople. The selections feature how-to plans and instructions—complete with illustrations—and they focus on creating tools, clothing, and equipment with only natural materials, plus some that reuse existing items.

A testament to human ingenuity and the enduring importance of traditional craftsmanship in an increasingly technological world, this book ensures that critical survival techniques and “the art of making” remain accessible to future generations. It offers personal empowerment, creativity, and deep environmental engagement.