I just wanted to take a moment this evening to say a very big thank you, not only to those of you who are subscribed to The Practical Woodsman and watch the videos or listen to the podcast, but especially to those of you who are here with me on this Locals group.

I realize I am not the flashiest, or most refined creator on the subject of the woods. But those of you who are here have come here because something I offer is valuable to you, and I appreciate that very much.

We’re getting close to the end of this year, and I’m excited about what the new year will bring. I love the natural world, and I’ve got a strong feeling that you do, too. I think we all enjoy the idea of self-sufficiency and of knowing how to practically use the tools around us. Not only that, but how to distinguish horsesh*t from things that are actually useful for real people, in real circumstances.

One year ago, I didn’t know what The Practical Woodsman was going to be like. In fact, I worried that the internet was already saturated with people talking about the outdoors and that I was late to the game. But as time has gone on, I’ve realized that my thinking and approach to the woods is shared by millions and it is not being honestly reflected or communicated by those who have the largest audiences. People in general aren’t idiots. People typically know when they’re watching things that are not a true reflection of life. Those folks out there making a killing on downloads can enjoy their grift for now. But as the people making up their audiences mature in their understanding and knowledge, many of them will begin to realize just how much they’ve been lied to and have had their time wasted.

Living in the woods for a week or for a weekend comes with inherent sacrifices. Sacrifices that are worth making. But for videos and information to be of any use whatsoever, they have to accurately reflect the true nature of the experience. The most popular videos on the internet don’t do that. They instead present a completely false narrative of people building elaborate things, preparing elaborate meals - all completely out of context. The video creators themselves did not hike 20 miles anywhere to do these things, or to work with the tools and ingredients they have, but they want you to believe that they did.

I know it has been disappointing that I have not been able to show more videos of myself in the wilderness. It has been disappointing for you, but it has been even more disappointing for me! And yet, even this is a much more accurate and honest reflection of the true nature of real life than the guys you see putting up new videos of themselves in the “woods” every week. They aren’t in the woods. They’re 40 feet into some trees recording a video. In real life, getting out into the woods for real involves planning and organization, and can usually only happen - at best - one time, or a couple of times a month, for anybody living a real life. Why? Because we have jobs. We have kids. We have family. We have responsibilities. If somebody you’re following is posting videos of himself from the “woods” every week, I promise you, that person is not in the woods for real. He has walked 200 yards down over a hill somewhere and filmed his video, and then went for breakfast the next day at the nearby diner. Therefore, nothing he used in that video reflects the reality of what it’s like to be in the woods for real. He didn’t have to carry any of it more than 200 feet! If he got into trouble that night, all he had to do was walk up the hill and ride his off-road cart back to his house! He was never isolated, he was never in any danger, he was never in a situation where he would truly have to pay any real consequences for his decisions!

So again, thank you for recognizing the value in what I’m trying to bring to the table. If you see me in the woods, you can trust that I truly am in the woods. Wherever I’m camping, it really did take me a whole day of walking to get there. That means whatever gear I show off or recommend to you really is gear that earned a place in my pack, that I personally have carried, and that I view as worthwhile for carrying. I’m trying very hard to offer authenticity to The Practical Woodsman audience.

I hope this message finds you all well, that you receive my thanks well, and that we all have a wonderful upcoming new year.