What gear would someone need to live in the wilderness with a dog for a year?

[Jps]

Hey everyone! So recently I came up with this crazy idea of going away on a one year trip, maybe possibly longer, with my 6 months old Labrador retriever. I am a 21 years old Parisian man who moved to Canada a couple years ago and who actually does not have a job. I've decided to put the schooling on hold for a while and concentrate on this crazy idea of mine. I don't really have a set destination, I am looking to start my trip in Ontario, Canada and make my way to the US.

I currently only have a little bit over a thousand dollars under my name and I am looking for some basic gear with which I will be able to realise this dream of mine. Things that are essential to survive on my own with my dog.
What should one not forget on a trip like this? What tools do I really need? What are the things you couldn't do without? Thanks!

[kyratshooter]

Hey Rick, put some popcorn in the microwave we have another one!

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...3-School-s-Out!

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ve-in-the-Wild

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...he-world-to-go!

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ng-myself-into

[madmax]

We get this question on a regular basis (and not just this site). Usually from males in their 20's. My advice is take some basic college courses for a year or two while studying and practicing camping. If you have to ask what to bring, you need a lot more basic knowledge than you have. You can't just walk into the woods any where in the USA and camp. You have to plan your resupply points. Not every stop will have dog food. You can't be on trails in the National Parks with a dog. Forget about living off the land in the USA. Laws and regs are too strict. Others here may be a little more harsh, but get educated on this subject by perusing all the info on this site and hitting youtube for some help.

[Rick]

While you can certainly hike around the country(ies), the likelihood of surviving in the wilderness is a pipe dream. Check out the second link that Kyrat posted. It will give you all the skills you will need. SKILLS are a first requirement then you can worry about equipment.

EDIT: Sorry Max, I was typing when you posted.

[kyratshooter]

I just thought I would post the threads we have addressed on this issue in the last two pages of the General Survival section.

That is two pages out of 200 pages!

It appears that one out of every ten queries in General Survival addresses this issue.

We should consider starting a ROTTW general category and transfer all the threads to that section so newbies will know exactly where to look for information on starving to death slowly in the woods.

[Seniorman]

A cart with a couple hundred pounds of Purina Dog Chow would be a good beginning.

S.M.

[madmax]

A cart with a couple hundred pounds of Purina Dog Chow would be a good beginning.

S.M.

12g slug gun for the bears after the dog chow.

[Rick]

Sheeesh. I'd carry something more appetizing than...oh, you mean for the dog. Never mind.

[hunter63]

What ever you do, if you like your dog, at all,.... leave him behind with a responsible person.....

He will be happy while you are figuring it all out.

Then here's a list for 6 months for one man trapping in Alaska.
May not need the traps...

Taken from another part of the Alaskan Trapper:
http://www.survivalblog.com/2009/09/...arlessons.html
really good site BTW

Complete article.
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...back-pack-myth

'
A More Complete Supply List

After my experiences the first two winters, I composed the following list. This is for one man for five to six months. It was refined for my personal taste and needs in the Alaska bush. The old trapper that I got my first list from made do with a lot less than what I took. This list is tried and true and not a just theory that someone made up. I had around 200 traps and ran the line on snowshoes, foot and skis. Cut my firewood by hand (no chain saw) and hauled my water from the lake in buckets. It was hard work 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week and I burned a lot of calories. Using the following list I ate well and always had plenty of supplies left in the spring:
• 50 lbs Flour
• 50 lbs Bisquick
• 25 lbs Pancake mix
• 35 lbs Sugar
• 50 lbs Pinto Beans
• 25 lbs Rice
• 40 lbs Salt pork
• 25 lbs Salt
• 10 lbs Dried prunes
• 10 lbs Raisons
• 10 lbs Dried apricots
• 10 lbs Dried apples
• 10 lbs Dried peaches
• 25 lbs Oatmeal
• 10 lbs Honey
• 2 cases Tomato paste
• 25 lbs powdered milk
• 15 lbs [canned] Butter
• 25 lbs Corn meal
• 25 lbs [canned] Cheese
• 20 lbs Spaghetti Noodles
• 10 lbs Crisco
• 15 lbs Hot cocoa mix
• 10 lbs Dried eggs
• 5 lbs Strawberry Jam
• 3 lbs Apricot Jam
• 2 boxes Pilot bread
• 1 gal Maple Syrup
• 180 Multi vitamins
• 180 Vitamin C
• 1 lb [powdered dry] Yeast
• 180 Tea bags
• 1 lbs Pepper
• 1 lbs
• Baking soda
• 8 lbs
• Dried onions
• 1 lb Baking powder
• 1 lb. Corn starch
• 24 oz Garlic powder
• 12 oz Vanilla
• 2 rolls aluminum foil
• 1/2 gal Dish soap
• 5 bars non-scented soap
• 36 Canning lids (to can meat if we had a winter thaw or for leftover in the spring)
• 8 oz Hydrogen peroxide
• 2 oz Iodine
• 12 rolls Toilet paper
• 2 Small sponges
• 2 Scrub pads
• 1 roll Duct Tape
• 4 boxes of wooden Matches
• 24 Plumber's candles
• 500 rounds .22 long rifle hollow point ammo
• 100 .308 ammo 125 grain hollow point varmint ammo
• 20 rounds .308 ammo 180 grain (for Moose or Caribou )
• Trapping license and regulations
• Hunting license, moose tags and caribou tags
• New snowshoe bindings
• 1 truck inner tube
• 3 New hacksaw blades
• 2 New Ax handles
• 8 Bow saw blades
• 36 oz Lanolin
• 6 Disposable lighters
• 12 gal White gas [aka Coleman Fuel]
• 12 Lantern mantels
• 6 oz. Gun oil
• Trapping Lures, urine and musk
• 10 lbs Trap wax
• 2 rolls Survey ["flagging"] tape
• 1 pair Heavy Neoprene trapping gloves
• 7 lbs Trapping wire( 50% 12 ga and 50% 14 ga)
• 50 ft Trap Chain #2 and #3
• 24 Links
• 24 Swivels
• AM Radio with 8 extra 9 volt batteries
• 8’ New stove pipe for cabin stove
• 4 Leather awl needles and 50’ waxed thread
• Extra shoulder straps for pack frame
• Extra hip belt for pack
• New lid for fry pan 14”
• 100’ - 3/8 nylon rope
• 12x18” glass to replace cracked window
• Personal items
• 1 Wool Jacket
• 2 Wool pants
• 2 Work pants
• 1 Pair insulated Carhartt coveralls
• 4 Pair work gloves
• 2 Pair heavy winter over mittens.
• Winter trappers hat
• 1 pair
• Pack boots with 2 sets liners
• 1 pair Bunny Boots
• 1 Wool sweater
• 4 pair long sleeved wool shirts
• 3 pair Wool long john pants
• 3 pair Wool long john shirts
• 8 pair Wool socks
• 8 pair Cotton socks
• 6 pair Underpants
• 1 Bible
• 2 flying ground school books
• 6 Short sleeve Cotton shirts
• Tooth brush
• Tooth powder
• 2 rolls dental floss
• Carried or in an external frame pack:
• 1 .308 rifle
• 1 22 pistol (Colt Woodsman)
• Rain coat
• Rain pants
• Insolite sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag
• 10x12’ and 4x8’ light nylon tarps
• Flashlight
• Flashlight batteries
• Binoculars, 10x40
• Green River skinning knife, caping knife, boning knife.
• Small stone, small file and small diamond steel
• Compass
• Topo maps 1:250,000 scale
• 2 Candles
• Matches in waterproof container
• Lighter
• Small cook pot with lid
• Water bottle
• 100’ Parachute cord
• Small First aid kit with Large suture needles and suture, in sealed pack
• Mini channel locks (Snap-on) used for sutures and other things
• Pack repair kit
• ¾-length Hand ax. (Estwing)
• Small shovel
• Bow saw with extra blade
• 1 pair wool socks
• Wire snares
• Fish hooks and line
• 25’ .042” stainless wire
• 1 lb Dried soup mix

[Rick]

I'm gonna need a bigger pickup truck.

[hunter63]

Yeah, that way I drag a trailer......
Is kinda eye opening list though....cut it in half....and you still need a truck.

[madmax]

Cache that post someplace. It won't be long until another dreamer asks for direction. I think that is a perfect response to the "I'm going to live off the land" post. But I had similar thoughts way back then too. LOL.

[hunter63]

Cache that post someplace. It won't be long until another dreamer asks for direction. I think that is a perfect response to the "I'm going to live off the land" post. But I had similar thoughts way back then too. LOL.

Well maybe a sticky of this post
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...back-pack-myth

It is a cut a paste from a blog entry:
http://www.survivalblog.com/2009/09/...arlessons.html

But have to tell you, if you follow the progression for several years worth of building the list ad skills...pretty complete.
I have a hard copy saved.

The challenge is to carry it as Rick pointed out.

[Sarge47]

This fella shows up a bit after 7am, posts one post, then doesn't come back? This will bear watching! What is it with everybody wanting to run off into the woods? sooner or later the woods will have more people than New York City, L.A., chicago, Detroit.....!...

[madmax]

Nah. As soon as they have to wipe with a leaf, drink lukewarm water, and do without salt they'll be back in town.

[hunter63]

....and listen to the bears at night........BOO

[kyratshooter]

Even before the internet this attitude was a problem.

I used to have to run off "summer squatters" from my farm every year. Seems that town folk think anything bigger than an acre has to be public land that is free for their use.

I would have to call the sheriff out on two or three groups of vagabonds every summer. Their whine was always the same, "We didn't think anyone owned this land, it's a crime to have so much and not let anyone use it!"

They did not seem to realize that cattle need a great deal of land to graze, and where they are not grazing is recovering pasture.

The might not have decent tents, bedding, food or cookware but there seemed to be plenty of "herb" of the smoking variety on hand.

[tundrabadger]

Feel like that list might come to a tetch more than a thousand dollars. and 180 tea bags just wouldn't cut it.


Haven't we had somebody wanting to ROTTW in Ontario already this year? Why does nobody ever want to go live in the woods in Quebec or Manitoba or something? or Nova Scotia! Nova Scotia is quite nice this time of year, and when you decide that you don't want to completely quit civilization after all, lobster is plentiful and comparatively inexpensive.

[wilderness medic]

A cart with a couple hundred pounds of Purina Dog Chow would be a good beginning.

S.M.

Hahahaha that's exactly what I was thinking.... Take half your money and go buy dog food. You're already down to $500 which is a little more than a dollar a day just in food, your gear aside. Good luck.

[hunter63]

We have that problem on the "common ground" section of the divided up land along the river north or us.
Common ground is how they handed the easement and changing river banks....belong to all the border the river bank...50 ft. wide both sides of the river....open to fishing, hunting and anyone off the river such as canoe-ers.

There is two big farms separating us from to many small lots that all end at the river....but as there is a easement, and an easement road....folks think it is public.
To point it is, but there isn't any public access so there is no legal way to get there.

Guy up river clean out and mowed a picnic/campfire area, put a picnic table and fire ring......and bingo...had all sorts of campers showed up.
No facilities, when he host an event (he owns the land leading to it) he rents portapottys, but casual visitors crap in the weeds and generally leave cans bottles and garbage behind.
Last flood cleared out the tables and wash away the fire ring....so now it stays un-mowed until he has an event, generally in Oct.....so squatters haven't been a problem (and I do mean squatters).

It still amazes me that so many would think that because there isn't a building there, it is there for all to use and abuse.