Satellite SOS on Modern Smartphones A Search and Rescue Perspective Technology in the outdoors often promises more than it delivers. Every few years a new device appears that claims to make wilderness travel safer. Sometimes those claims are exaggerated. But...
We are pleased to offer this interview in both video and audio from our Youtube Channel and Podcast Host. Please consider subscribing and following both. It helps us a lot! Why Plant Names Feel Intimidating (And Why They...
Most people think tree identification requires hiking miles into remote wilderness. The truth? You can begin your journey to learning trees on a simple foot-travel-only trail, paved or dirt, right in your local area. At Nature Reliance School, we believe...
If you’ve followed the Nature Reliance School blog for any length of time, you know most of what we publish here is focused on skills, mindset, and preparedness for the outdoors. Today’s post is a little different. It’s personal, and...
I have spent my life studying and teaching survival, tracking, and self-reliance. Most people think those skills are about fire-starting, shelter-building, or reading a compass. They are, but the deeper truth is that survival is about discipline, resilience, and mastering...
Getting stuck in traffic during a winter storm or major highway shutdown can turn an ordinary drive into a real survival situation. Your vehicle can be one of the best shelters you have, but only if you’re prepared. This guide breaks down the essential and often-overlooked items you should keep in your car, along with smart strategies for staying warm, visible, and safe until help arrives.
Scroll through social media long enough and you will eventually see posts claiming psychologists studied elite soldiers or trauma survivors for years and discovered secret traits that make certain people emotionally bulletproof.
Those posts are compelling. They sound authoritative. They often feel true.
They are also misleading.
We finally did it. After countless requests from the community, Nature Reliance School stickers are officially available , and they represent more than just a logo on your water bottle or gear tote. Our stickers are produced by Sticker Mule,...
Most people think a survival kit has to be bulky, expensive, or extreme to be effective. That mindset causes more problems than it solves. In the video linked here, I break down a single bag that weighs 14 pounds or...
Introduction Most hunters eventually faces it, that moment after a shot when the deer bolts into the woods and the trail seems to vanish. Successful recovery depends on what you do next. In this in-field lesson, I share practical methods...
Start With Critical Thinking, Not Herd Mentality Last week, I grabbed my notebook and headed into the woods to study some tracks. I try to do this weekly, but it typically ends up being monthly. I was sketching early in...
Learn what gear Craig Caudill carries in his personal wilderness pack and why each piece matters. Build your own pack with confidence and avoid common mistakes that get hikers into trouble.
