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General

Food is the least pressing wilderness survival need. In the short term, water and shelter are far more important. Survival without food is possible for up to three weeks.

Insects

The vital nutritional needs in a survival situation are protein and fat – insects are rich in both. Edible bugs are delicious survival meals (ok… I made that up). Insects occur almost everywhere and are easy to catch. Look in rotten logs, under the bark of dead trees or in moist shady spots.

Most insects are edible raw. But boiling or roasting them is safest. Some edible insects to consider are termites, grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, bees, beetles and ants. Remove the wings and legs before eating. Avoid bright-coloured fuzzy insects – some are poisonous.

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Edibles

Depending on the season and eco-system, some edibles to consider:

Plants

  • Dandelion
  • Cat’s tail root and stem
  • Chicory leaves
  • Wild Rose
  • Wild Sorrel
  • Wild Parsnip

Nuts

  • Acorns Oak
  • Beech
  • Pine
  • Walnut

Wild Fruit

  • Blackberries
  • Huckleberries
  • Blueberries

Inner Bark

  • Maple
  • Willow
  • Aspen
  • Poplar
  • Pine
  • Birch trees

Pine Needles

  • Crush up pine needles and steep in hot water to make nutritional tea.

Poisonous Edibles

Not all plants are safe to eat. Some will make you sick, while others can kill within hours. Plant identification is crucial! I suggest that before you venture out to the wilderness, research ten edible plants common to your destination, and be able to identify them with confidence.

Generally, plants to avoid eating:

  • All bulbs,
  • White/yellow berries,
  • Red plants,
  • Plants with an almond scent,
  • Plants with a white milky sap,
  • Plants with barbed hairs,
  • Umbrella-shaped flowers,
  • Three-leaved structures,
  • Five-segmented fruits,
  • Avoid all mushrooms – many species are deadly poisonous,  and yet look very similar to their edible cousins.
  • A plant isn’t safe if an animal is seen eating it – many animals are resistant to the toxins.
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