Who coined "Bushcraft"


Ohio Bushcrafter

Ohio Bushcrafter

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Not the site or the term

Although this would be welcome as well,My real question is who "coined" the term,This odd question arises after I spoke to a getleman today after seeing him in "hiking clothes" although looked like a ultralight guy I struck up a conversation and he said that he did infact hike and camp. I told him of the site and he said "O I see alot of "references to bushcraft sites" on youtube"

My response was that a large majority of those are referencing the BCUSA site,& Bushcraft members speaking about their adventures or reviewing of equipment, etc.. That the BCUSA site was a great group of people who enjoyed the outdoors and abo like camping.

Well unfortunately for me he was above my simple way of life...:54: lol

But I would like to know from those in the know some history and such. I already know a few of the answers and I know BCUSA has members from far and wide but like to know some more.

Thank you in advance for your responses.
 
As far as the craft...I'd guess the first human was the first bushcrafter.

I think Mears across the pond actually coined the term.

Probably not exactly what you were looking for, but hey...:)
 
the term dates back to the 1800s with South African settlers.
 
well In Europe and Australasia they call the woods, the bush. So, like we called it woodcraft growing up, they called it bushcraft. I'd assume they may have called it bushcraft in Canoodia, as well. And, It probably just made its way here as the new/modern/cool term for woodcraft, or woodlore.

This is all speculation on my part.
 
Isn't the Bushtucker Man from Australia the guy credited with popularizing the term?

Mors is also given credit sometimes for his Northern bushcraft book (1st run title).
 
From wikipedia for what it's worth. Interesting info. But the term has been around for a long time.

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of Bushcraft is "skill in matters pertaining to life in the bush". Before the recent popularity of Ray Mears and his television programmes, the term was also used by the Irish-born Australian writer Richard Graves and Canadian bushcraft teacher Mors Kochanski. The word has been used in its current sense in Australia and South Africa at least as far back as the 1800s. Bush in this sense is probably a direct adoption of the Dutch 'bosch', originally used in Dutch colonies for woodland and country covered with natural wood, but extended to usage in British colonies, applied to the uncleared or un-farmed districts, still in a state of nature. Later this was used by extension for the country as opposed to the town. In Southern Africa, we get Bushman from the Dutch 'boschjesman' applied by the Dutch colonists to the natives living in the bush. In North America (where there was also considerable colonisation by the Dutch) you have the word 'bushwacker' which is close to the Dutch 'bosch-wachter' meaning 'forest-keeper'. It is now common to hear the term bushcrafter to describe someone interested in bushcraft.
 
lets keep to the actual topic ,please, and remember this is supposed to be a family friendly place.

G1/ Mod
 
Well I know that it's like the old question:

"Which came first the chicken or the egg":39:,

Believe me I know that the majority of bushcrafters have been doing bushcraft well before they actually knew what it was called.

They affectionately called it roughing it,minimalist,woodsman generically along with many other names.

Might be nice to have a History of Bushcraft page on the site it may answer questions that could come up it polite conversation. :45:
 
I'm in Canada. The first time I ever heard of the term bushcraft was when I bought Mors Kochanski's book in 2002 " Northern Bushcraft."

Before that , myself and all the people I knew involved in it referred to it as bush survival , and I've been involved in it for over 35 years or as long as I can remember.

My guess is that the term just kind of developed on it's own over time and maybe Ray Mears , as good as he is at it , didn't actually coin the term himself.
 
The term "Bushcraft" is common enough in older books as far back as at least the mid 1800's, used in reference to out door skills in S. Africa, Australia, India, and apparently also Canada. It was, by 1847 in wide enough use to be understood with out any explanation or footnoting.

So, while Ray Mears may have popularized the current usage of the term in mass media markets, he was by no means the originator of the term.
 
When Moses was at the burning BUSH, he was given a walking stick CRAFTED by God. Thats my answer and I'm sticking (pun intended) to it!:p:54:
 
GreyOne said:
The term "Bushcraft" is common enough in older books as far back as at least the mid 1800's, used in reference to out door skills in S. Africa, Australia, India, and apparently also Canada. It was, by 1847 in wide enough use to be understood with out any explanation or footnoting.

So, while Ray Mears may have popularized the current usage of the term in mass media markets, he was by no means the originator of the term.
Click to expand...


GreyOne since it seems like you are a history person (like history) can you tell me which book the term "Bushcraft" was used ?

I am looking for the history in part and specific references (title to books etc.)

If you have those available (title) please offer them here to allow us all to share as well (This is not speaking sarcastically,Actually I am very genuine that I would like to research these as well to be more informed.)

Thank you for any help you may offer in advance.
 
Part 2:
1865:

  1. The illustrated natural history: Volume 1 - Page 142


    books.google.comJohn George Wood - 1865 - 800 pages - Free Google eBook - Read
    Being a most experienced hand at bushcraft, he was enabled to walk or crawl without causing either a dried stick to crack or a leaf to rustle, and he was aware that his progress had been accomplished without noise; for the small birds, ...

 
Part 4:
1870:
wood's animal kingdom - Page 142


books.google.comrev. j. g. wood - 1870 - Free Google eBook - Read
Being a most experienced hand at bushcraft, he was enabled to walk or crawl without causing either a dried stick to crack or a leaf to rustle, and he was aware that his progress had been accomplished without noise; for the small birds, ...

 
Part 6:
1896:
The battle of Chancellorsville - Page 6


books.google.comAugustus Choate Hamlin - 1896 - 196 pages - Free Google eBook - Read
rebels believed that their knowledge of the topography of the country, their skill in bushcraft and marksmanship, gave them a decided advantage over their opponents. Besides all these considerations, there was a determined resolution on ...
1892:
Scottish geographical magazine: Volume 8 - Page 356


books.google.comScottish Geographical Society - 1892 - Free Google eBook - Read
... who carefully studied the pygmies on the Upper Aru- wimi and Nile, informed me that in every large tribe of Central Africa dwarfs are kept, either as curiosities or for their powers of tracking and bushcraft, and that, he believes, ...


By the 1900's the term was in very common usage around the English speaking world.

I have seen at least one reference from the 1840's but could not find it in the quick search i just did. I am not aware of any published usage of the term prior to the 1840 timeline.
 
GreyOne

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your help I believe we all benefit knowing where to find reference on Bushcraft.

Growing our knowledge base & allowing us to discuss the topic to a wider variety of people.
 
We all tend to forget that the whole world was there and functioning long before WE came along. ;)

Giving Ray Mears his due props for bringing the term and the art into the public eye, he was not creating either the term or the skill set. He was, in fact, building on a very long tradition of the Anglosphere.

History is essential to give us a perspective , and I find bushcraft, with it's high use and regard for older skills, to be a perfect example of living history. :)

Just my 2cents worth.
 
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