Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft podcast, hosted by Chris Speir from Speiroutdoors, offers practical tips and insights to help outdoor enthusiasts enhance their wilderness skills. Each episode dives deep into topics from Chris's book, "Primitive Camping & Bushcraft," covering everything from essential gear and survival techniques to building a community of like-minded adventurers. Perfect for both seasoned pros and beginners, this podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to thrive in the great outdoors.
Mosquito Control: What Actually Works?
Mosquitoes have ruined more camping trips than bad weather, broken gear, and cold coffee combined.
In this episode, Chris Speir discusses one of the most common problems faced by campers, hunters, fishermen, and bushcrafters: mosquito control. Drawing from years of experience in South Mississippi, Alaska, deer camps, and conversations from the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group, Chris breaks down several methods people use to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Topics include:
• Why mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise perfect trip
• Traditional methods including campfire smoke
• Dog fennel and American beautyberry
• DE...
From Gimmick to Essential: Campers Share Their Favorites
What piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it?
That simple question generated a flood of responses inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group. In this episode, Chris dives into the conversation and explores the common theme behind the answers.
Topics discussed include:
• Hammocks and better sleep
• Camp pillows and comfort in camp
• Trekking poles and reducing strain
• Fire starters and the "cheating" debate
• BIC lighters versus traditional fire methods
• Thermacells and mosquito control
• Grayl water filtrati...
Are Hiking Chairs Worth Carrying? The Group Weighs In
The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group has been growing fast, and with that growth comes some great discussions. In this episode, I take a look at a recent post that sparked a lively debate about lightweight hiking chairs.
Are they worth the weight?
Are they an unnecessary luxury?
Or are they one of those items that become more valuable the older we get?
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All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
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Primitive Camping by Kayak
In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris Speir breaks down why kayaks are one of the most overlooked tools in primitive camping.
This is not about extreme whitewater or stunt paddling. It is about using waterways the way people always have to move gear, reach remote camps, and think differently about access. Rivers and lakes become highways, and a kayak becomes a working tool rather than a toy.
Chris shares real experience kayak camping on Black Creek in Mississippi and at Shepherd State Park, covering how kayak travel changes the way...
Shelter Done Right
In this Fundamental Friday lesson we break down shelter from the inside out. Chris starts with clothing as your first layer of protection and how fabrics behave in heat, cold, and wet conditions. From there we move into shelter site selection using U.S. Army standards: finding level ground, spotting widow makers, judging water levels, avoiding rockslide or avalanche zones, and positioning yourself near resources without exposing yourself to predators or biting insects.
Next we move into the hands-on builds.
Lean To
Attach the tarp to the ridgeline using two prusik loops and toggles...
Cold Nights Don’t Lie
This episode digs into a cold night that didn’t go the way it should have gone. A simple overnight trip with Dave turned into a long reminder that winter camping will expose every weak spot in your gear and your planning. I took my military issue extreme cold weather sleeping bag, my Helinox ultralight cot, my wool blanket, and my down puffy blanket from East Hills Outdoors. On paper, everything looked solid. In reality, the setup had one flaw that turned the night miserable.
We walk through exactly what went wrong and why I froze in a...
Fundamental Friday: Camp Lighting Systems
SHOW NOTES
• This Fundamental Friday expands on Monday’s podcast and breaks down each lantern demonstrated on-camera.
• Gear covered: Luci / BioLite solar lantern, LuminAID Titan, the unnamed crank lantern, and the Blavor power station lantern.
• I show how each device works, how bright it is, what it weighs, how long it runs, and where it belongs in a primitive camping setup.
• These are the exact lanterns I use at Camp Wut Da Heck for night work, safety, and comfort.
• If you want to support the channel, grab them through my links below.
YOU NEED TO...
Solar, Inflatable, Rechargeable. The Camp Lights That Never Quit
Today’s conversation is all about practical lighting in camp. I walk through the lanterns I actually use, why each one has a job, and how they’ve held up in real weather, river nights, and deep woods trips. From ultralight inflatable solar lanterns to heavy basecamp chargers, I break down what each one is for and why I keep them in my kit.
Gear Mentioned (Remember to add affiliate links):
• LuminAID Lantern – your main work light
• LuminAID Titan – heavier, brighter, doubles as a battery bank
• Luci (BioLite rebrand) inflatable solar lantern
• Blavor Power Station La...
Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick
In this Fundamental Friday, Chris takes a baseplate compass and a USGS topo map into the Mississippi woods and walks a full mile to test how accurate a simple bearing can be in real terrain. You’ll hear how the compass works, how contour lines tell the truth about the land, how to judge distance, and why old tools still matter when batteries fail.
Referenced links
USGS Topo Maps
https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps/topographic-maps
Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Book
https://www.primitive-camping.com/product-page/primitive-camping-bushcraft
how to use a compass article: Ho...
Topographic Maps and Compass Skills Most Campers Overlook
In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris shares a real story of getting turned around in the woods after losing his map five miles from the truck, and how nothing but a single compass bearing brought him home. After the story he walks through practical, beginner friendly navigation skills anyone can use with a simple baseplate compass and a topographic map.
Resources Mentioned:
• USGS Topographic Map Downloads
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/
• Outdoors Generations Article by Ethan Shaw
“How to Use a Compass: The Ultimate Guide to Nav...
From Ember to Blaze: Lessons from the Bow Drill
check out the new Primitive Camping & Bushcraft App on mobile www.primitive-camping.com here is the link to the app: https://www.mobileapp.app/to/lHKdPm1?ref=mam
In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris takes you from the smell of fair food and shaking hands with listeners to the quiet focus of bow-drill firecraft.
He opens the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft book to page 150 and walks through starting a friction fire, step by step, breaking down what it takes to nurture a single ember until it becomes a blaze. Along...
Is Your Fire Kit Missing These 5 Essential Bushcraft Tools?
Welcome back to Fundamental Fridays here on the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast!
Today, we’re breaking down the Primitive Camping Fire Starter Kit — everything that’s packed inside, how it works, and why it belongs in every outdoor pack. From fatwood and ferro rods to char cloth and fire plugs, this kit is built to help you start a fire anywhere, anytime.
Chris walks through each piece of gear, demonstrates how to make shavings, explains the purpose of the ferro rod and striker, and even lights a few fires along the way. You’ll see how to u...
That time I forgot my light
In this episode we are sitting under the tarp at Camp What The Heck with the fire working in the background and talking about something small that becomes a big deal fast in the woods your light
Chris tells the story of a bow hunt in the Mississippi Delta where it got dark fast the mosquitoes were thick the woods went dead quiet and something in the water let out a roar so deep it made every hair stand up
For a minute it felt like hog trouble or worse and he had no sidearm and no...
Burning More Than Wood: How to Keep Your Energy in the Wild
Show notes
Today’s focus: Backcountry calories, simple meal planning, and faith for “daily bread.”
From the book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, p.182 (dehydrated/freeze-dried options, flavor add-ons).
Why calories matter: Field burn ≈ 3,500–5,000/day vs ~2,000 at home; shivering, climbs, paddling all spike needs.
Pack by calories, not meals: Target ~120 cal/oz (peanut butter, nuts, olive oil, granola, jerky, calorie-dense rations).
4 rules for the field:
Eat by the clock (adrenaline hides hunger)
Fat is your friend (dense fuel in cold/long treks)
Rotate meals (morale > monotony)<...
Seasons Will Always Change, Will You Change With Them
The items in this episode are no longer available. only the book is available at your online retailers.
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All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
www.speiroutdoors.com
Stay Connected:
Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group: www.facebook.com
📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast
🎙️ Podcast Episodes
🎥 YouTube Channel
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Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoors
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Camping Meal Experiment: Freeze-Dried Beef Stroganoff That Actually Tastes Amazing
Welcome back to the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast and another Fundamental Friday around the fire. Today Chris shares how he’s been creating his own freeze-dried meals at home for camping — specifically a homemade beef stroganoff that rivals anything you can buy in a pouch. He walks through every step of the recipe using Thrive Life freeze-dried beef, mushrooms, sour cream powder, and brown gravy mix, all packed into vacuum-sealed bags for the next outdoor trip.
The real twist comes when Chris discovers a game-changing ingredient: ready-to-eat pasta that completely removes the need to cook noodles over the...
Campfire Cooking 101: Coals vs Flames (Stop Burning Your Food)
When most folks picture campfire cooking, they think of flames licking the pan and sparks flying into the night sky. Looks good, doesn’t it? Problem is, flames lie to you. They burn hot, fast, and uneven. You end up with food that’s black on the outside and raw in the middle. I’ve been there—trust me, I’ve ruined enough meals to learn the hard way.
In this episode, I talk about learning to cook over coals instead of chasing flames. It’s slower, steadier, and a whole lot better once you figure it out. Coals h...
From Tadpoles to Clear Water: Bushcraft Filtration Hacks
Clean water is one of the most important needs in the outdoors — but not every source is safe to drink straight from. In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris takes you step by step through pre-filtering methods that remove grit, grime, and debris before you boil or use a commercial filter.
You’ll see how a Campcraft Outdoors filter bag works, why a handkerchief or even a cheap coffee filter can extend the life of your gear, and how a simple K-cup can double as a quick bushcraft water filter. Each method buys you...
Primitive Camping Isn’t About Gear, It’s About Improvising
On this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris shares a story about camping with his sons when a brand-new stove broke on day one. What started as frustration turned into a lesson in improvisation, open-fire cooking, and teaching his boys to adapt.
Chris also reads from his book Primitive Camping and Bushcraft about “Thinking Outside the Box” and dives into Philippians 4:11–13 to remind us that true strength and contentment don’t come from gear — they come from Christ.
You’ll hear practical tips on redundancy, improvising in the woods, and why practice matters more...
Primitive Camp Dinner & Night Comforts | Bushcraft Cooking + Gear
in the final episode of this series, after a full day of primitive camping setup, it’s time for food, fire, and light. In this episode, I’ll show you how I:
Slice and fry Spam for a hearty, easy camp meal.
Clean cookware the simple way with hot water while it’s still on the fire.
Use compact solar lanterns for red light, strobe signaling, and camp illumination.
Improvise a pillow using a tarp bag and extra clothes.
Wrap up camp life with gratitude and the reminder to always...
Why You Wake Up Cold in a Hammock and How to Fix It
At Camp Wut Da Heck, with smoke drifting from the fire and Mississippi kites overhead, Chris dives into a lesson every hammock camper eventually learns. He recalls his first cold night in a hammock when comfort quickly turned to misery and explains the science behind convective cooling how moving air under a hammock strips away body heat once insulation is compressed.
From there, Chris unpacks real-world solutions. Under quilts that hang beneath the hammock to trap warmth, three-season quilts for versatility, and budget options like closed-cell foam pads, inflatable pads, reflective pads, even cheap pool floats for...
Setting Up Camp: Water Filtration, Sleeping Pad, and Dinner
In Part 3 of our Fundamental Friday series, This episode of Fundamental Friday takes you deeper into the camp setup process—moving from survival basics into evening comfort and cooking. You’ll see step-by-step how I:
Use a gravity-fed water filtration system to purify a gallon of water.
Test out a self-inflating sleeping pad with a wool blanket.
Assemble a portable wood-burning stove for safe camp cooking.
Gather kindling, manage fire safety, and light a controlled blaze with a Bic lighter.
Cook one of my favorite camp meals—Spam in a skil...
From Clogged Filters to Rainwater: Bushcraft Water Tips
on: John 4 — Jesus offers living water that never runs dry
Action step: practice filtering and boiling water, then reflect on what truly quenches your thirst
Resources Mentioned
Book: Primitive Camping and Bushcraft
Facebook Group: Primitive Camping and Bushcraft
Call to Action
Practice filtering and purifying your own water this week
Share your experience in the Facebook group
Reflect on whether you’re drinking from “wells that run dry” or from the source of living water
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Scouting Camp, Collecting Water & Building a Lean-To (Step-by-Step)
In Part 2 of our Fundamental Friday series, we move from pack talk to practical fieldcraft. You’ll see how I:
Use American beautyberry as a natural bug repellent and grab elevated pine straw for dry tinder after rain.
Collect creek water, then pre-boil or filter it (quick demo with a GRAYL) for safe drinking.
Evaluate a campsite: distance between trees (12–14 ft), proximity to water, ground conditions, and scanning for widow-makers.
Rig a clean ridgeline using bank line with an overhand loop + toggle (marlinspike hitch), tighten it with a trucker’s hitch, and ad...
From Swiss Army to Custom Blades: A Knife Journey
Episode Highlights
Hot day under the tarp at Camp Wut-Da-Heck and the focus on knives
Childhood memories with a Swiss Army knife and homemade haversacks
Knife evolution: homemade bed-rail knife, Mora Garberg, BPS Bushcraft II, Mora Companion, Bobcat by Dirt Bound Survival
Field stories: batoning wood, six days of rain, and skinning hogs
Knife accident lesson: respect your blade and carry first aid
Knife maintenance: stones, belts, improvised sharpeners, and strops
Devotion: Hebrews 4:12 — the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword
Ac...
Fire, Food, Shelter & More | Primitive Camping Gear Essentials
This episode kicks off a 4 week Fundamental Friday series by diving deep into my complete primitive camping loadout. You’ll see exactly what I pack, how I organize it, and the reasoning behind every item, including:
Fire redundancy: Ferro rod, Bic lighter, char cloth, and even a pencil sharpener for tinder.
Cutting tools: Belt knife (Mora Garberg), backup knife, multi-tool, and folding saw.
Cooking gear: Bush pot, skillet, wood burning grill, cutting board, and seasoning containers.
Food & drink: Freeze-dried meals, tortillas, powdered milk, trail mix, and drink mixes.
(if you are...
The Night My Lean To Faced the Storm
The sky was heavy with rain clouds as I sat by the fire at camp, listening to the treetops groan in the wind. That sound carried me back to a night on the river when I built a simple lean to shelter from natural materials, never expecting to face a storm. A survival instructor later scoffed online, saying my shelter would never hold water. What he did not see was the storm that raged all night while I stayed warm and dry beneath the leaves.
This episode digs into what that night taught me. Real skill comes...
Fundamental Friday Episode 2: Reviewing 2 Survival Kits for Bushcraft & Outdoors
This week on Fundamental Friday, we’re doing a hands-on comparison of two survival kits—the Entropy Survival Bag and the ESEE Survival Tin kit. From tourniquets and ferro rods to whistles, filters, and emergency blankets, Chris reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each kit to show what’s worth carrying when it counts.
Whether you’re new to bushcraft or refining your emergency loadout, this episode will give you real-world insights on survival gear.
this is the best article on how to use a compass I have seen
Compass Link: How to Use a Compass...
The Quiet Truth of Camping Alone on the River
Show Notes:
Sometimes it only takes one comment to spark deep reflection. A listener recently told me, “You lost me when you got all preachy. That’s not what I signed up for.” I get it. Some folks want nothing but gear talk and survival skills, and believe me, I love that too. But for me, faith isn’t separate from the outdoors. It’s the lens I see it all through.
In this episode, I share two powerful memories from camping along the river: one morning when I realized I wasn’t out there to find God but...
The Fire Starter That Works Anywhere | Friday Skills Day Podcast
In this episode, I take you out to Camp Wut Da Heck for a hands-on skill session using the All Weather Fire Starter. You’ll see how this tool works, how to use it properly, and why it should be a staple in your outdoor kit. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned camper, this fire starter will help you build a reliable flame in almost any condition.
Check out the All Weather Fire Starter here: https://allweatherfirestarters.com/
Use code speiroutdoors for 10% off your order!
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A...
The cheap Hammock That Beats My $300 Ones
In this campfire conversation, I take you through my in-depth review of the Mitzli hammock — a design that eliminates the claustrophobic feel, net-in-your-face annoyance, and cramped sleeping space that turn so many people away from hammock camping. I share how it compares to other hammocks I’ve tried, including $200–$300 models that didn’t deliver, and why the Mitzli’s spacious tent-like interior, quality build, and lifetime warranty won me over. You’ll get all the details on setup, weight, materials, and the rainfly that comes with it.
I also dive into a devotional moment from Psalm 4:8, reminding us that real...
Primitive Camping Comfort: From Military Cots to Walmart Chairs
In this heartfelt episode, I open up about why I stepped away from the podcast for a few weeks and how personal challenges have shaped my outlook. We dive into a topic I’ve never covered before — comfort in camp. Are you the type who wants to rough it, or do you bring along creature comforts? I compare backpacking cots like the $50 NatureHike versus the $299 Helinox, break down their pros and cons, and talk about my military cot for ATV or boat-accessible trips. We also explore camp chair options, from budget Walmart models to lightweight high-back chairs, and even doll...
Why I’m Freeze Drying My Own Meals (And Not Chasing Trends Anymore)
Last week, I wasn’t behind the mic—not because I was tired or lazy, but because I was out in the hills of North Georgia with a group of young men who needed more than content… they needed direction. I was serving with Truth in Nature, a ministry that mentors fatherless boys through outdoor experiences. We built birdhouses, swam in creeks, shot skeet and rifles, and I watched several of those boys give their life to Jesus and get baptized.
That kind of camp—that kind of real—is why I started all of this.
But whil...
Primitive Camping Q&A What Real Campers Are Talking About Right Now
In this episode, Chris pulls straight from the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Facebook group to reflect on the posts, questions, and tips shared by its members. From tarp shelter setups and gear hacks to battling Mississippi mosquitoes and testing DIY fish hooks, it's a gritty mix of story, survival, and spiritual insight. You’ll hear about Rhett’s summer tarp camp, the underrated genius of 10x10 tarps, bush pots and bedrolls, and even freeze-dried meals cooked in a state-licensed restaurant. The episode wraps with a heartfelt devotional from Psalm 51 on repentance, restoration, and the kind of real transformation that only...
Don’t Let Gear Fail You: Simple Tools for Backwoods Repairs
When you're deep in the woods and gear breaks down, do you have what you need to patch it up and keep going? In this episode, Chris answers a listener question from the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Facebook Group about field repair kits. From duct tape on a Bic lighter to sail needles and floral wire, he walks through real tools, real fixes, and why preparation isn't just about survival—it's about staying in the game when things go sideways. Plus, a quick look at the Entropy Survival Go Bag and why it's a solid pick for unexpected situations.
...How to Preserve and Flavor Fish in the Wild (Bushcraft Style)
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Step-by-step method for smoking fish in the field without fancy gear
What types of wood are safe for smoking (and what to avoid)
Why Magnolia wood might be one of the most underrated smoking woods for fish
How to build a simple smoking tripod using green saplings and floral wire
The difference between grilling, roasting, and real smoking in a bushcraft setup
Why floral wire is one of the most versatile tools you can pack in your kit
Ho...
Primitive Pest Control: Real Mosquito Defense from the Campfire
In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, host Chris Speir takes you deep into mosquito season with no fluff and no gimmicks—just real outdoor experience. Broadcasting from under the tarp at Camp Wut-Da-Heck, Chris shares personal stories of getting eaten alive by bugs, the dangers of mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile and Lyme disease, and his hard-learned lessons from red bug bites and backwoods blunders.
We walk through:
Real risks: West Nile, Zika, Alpha-Gal, and more
Why natural repellents like dog fennel and American beautyberry work—and how to make...
Soap in the Wild: Clean Hands, Clean Heart
In this episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, Chris breaks down practical, field-tested ways to stay clean in the woods. From simple DIY soap paper strips to pack-friendly sponge-based products, this talk covers everything you need to know to wash up when you’re off-grid. The episode also features a brief look at traditional soap-making concepts using lye and fat, and closes with a reflection on spiritual cleansing based on 1 John 1:9.
Topics Covered
Real-world hygiene challenges when camping
Listener question from Clay: “How do you make soap from nothing in the wild?”
M...
Food, Gear, and Faith: A Fireside Chat from the Riverbank
In this episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, Chris and Dave sit beside the fire the morning after a rugged night on the river. They cover everything from owls calling through the darkness, the pros and cons of high-end hammocks, cooking steak over open flames, and real talk about spending smart on gear. The episode weaves in reflections on Christian faith, learning website design the hard way, and how to stop posting random content and start filming with purpose. It’s real. It’s unscripted. It’s camp life.
Mentioned in this episode:
Hennessy Hammoc...
Not All Firewood Is Dead: Starting Fires with Green Trees
Join me at Camp Wut-Da-Heck for a raw, hands-on breakdown of three primitive fire-starting tinder's you can find and process in the wild—arrowwood, mimosa, and tung nut. I walk through scraping wet bark, sun-drying techniques, and using tools like the ferro rod and Pull Start Fire to get real flames in real conditions. If you’ve ever asked, “Can green wood actually work?”—this episode gives you answers you can take into the woods today.
Spiritual Reflection:
But this episode doesn’t just deal with physical fire. It turns the corner into a deeper challenge: Is your hear...
