Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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 fo...

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 ba...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 blunder...

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 ...

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 posti...

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 t...

Chris shares his honest process of rethinking his pack—what gear matters, what gets left behind, and why less is often more in both bushcraft and faith. He dives into the real-world testing of three different camping bags, reviews the Rothko European Rucksack, and explains why tools should serve, not define, a man. Scripture focus is Matthew 6:19–21.

Pull Start fire link: https://amzn.to/3ZkFqyQ

What You’ll Hear:

The problem with pack...

Chris returns to Camp Wut-Da-Heck for a raw, unfiltered discussion about the most essential survival tool in the outdoors: your knife. With the wind blowing and fire smoke in the air, he unpacks not just the gear—but the deeper truth behind what makes a knife worth trusting. From field-tested blades like the Morakniv Garberg to his personal favorite, the BPS Bushcraft II, Chris lays out what separates a flashy showpiece from a real...

Fireside Talk: Overnight Kayak Trip on Black Creek

In this special long-form episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, host Chris Speir is joined by his good friend Dave for an unfiltered, unscripted fireside chat on the banks of Black Creek, Mississippi. Recorded during an overnight kayaking trip while testing out Vibe Kayaks, this episode blends bushcraft knowledge, spiritual reflections, and campfire storytel...

Today we’re camped under the tarp at Camp Wut-Da-Heck, rain beating down hard and frogs cutting loose in the woods, digging into one of the truest tests of primitive camping — starting a fire with wet wood and just one match.
Chris walks through real-world fire-building skills forged from hard days in the field: how to find dry material when it feels like nothing’s dry, how to split and feather soaked wood, and how to build a fire l...

Episode Highlights:

Why Chris pulled back from social media and content creation

The heart behind the new Camp Wut-Da-Heck and its connection to his friend Scooter

What’s changing with the podcast and YouTube moving forward

Replacing quick “hacks” with real stories, real skills, and real purpose

Announcement of upcoming audio-only episodes recorded outdoors under tarp

The launch of “The Waypoint” community + email newsletter

Faith reflect...

Chris takes us deep into his cooking gear pile, sharing real-world insights on cookware that works in primitive camping—from the heavy hitters like cast iron Dutch ovens to lightweight titanium pots. He covers a wide range of gear including coffee percolators, salvaged aluminum pots, antique Coleman cook sets, and even modular bushcraft kits that double as mess kits or survival storage. If you’ve ever wondered what to bring for bac...

This week, Chris covers his favorite campfire meals, highlights some lightweight gear finds from an antique store, and discusses how you don’t need the latest tech to enjoy the outdoors. He also introduces his top-used camp kitchen tool roll and gives a shoutout to Creek Camper.

Topics Covered:

Why the podcast moved to a new YouTube channel: The Primitive Camper

Meal planning for 3–4 people: $10–11 camp meals

Cooking gear talk: old-sch...

Show Notes:

New YouTube Channel Announcement

• Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast videos have moved to a dedicated YouTube channel, The Primitive Camper.
• Explanation of how analytics, views, and engagement drive content strategy on social media.

Weekend Fire Incident: Lessons in Outdoor Cooking Safety

• Chris shares a harrowing experience with a grease fire while cooking filet mignon.
• Step-by-step recount of the fi...

Introduction

• Chris shares updates on his book Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, its rising Amazon rankings, and current discounts.
• Encourages listeners to check out the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Coffee Blend.

Freeze-Dried Foods

• Overview of freeze-dried food options like beef stroganoff, scrambled eggs, and beef stew.
• Discussing the cost-effectiveness of purchasing bulk freeze-dried ingredients vs. store-bought camping me...

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Beef Jerky: The ultimate protein source for the outdoors—how to slice, season, and dry it to perfection.
• Dehydrated Eggs: Scramble and dry your eggs for easy, lightweight breakfast options.
• Tomato Chips: Bold, flavorful, and perfect as a snack or cooking ingredient.
• Squash & Zucchini Chips: A crunchy alternative to store-bought chips, made from fresh produce.
• Onions & Mushrooms: Lightweight, ...