Bull Trout Rendezvous, Idaho
By: Alan Halcon and Dude McLean
We're often asked, “Where can I go to learn primitive, traditional and modern skills?” Our answer is always the same, use the internet. You can find some fine instructors and many classes all over the country. Go to a library, you can find books on all the skills. The other option is to attend one of the big events such as “Wintercount,” “Rabbitstick,” “River Cane rendezvous” or the Glass Buttes event. There are also dozens of smaller events throughout the country, many which have been around since the 60s and 70s. More modern events can be found advertised in various magazines and on the net... Google works wonders.
In many cases, the internet has had a tremendous impact on the overall success of such events. The interest level in learning primitive and traditional bush skills, as well as, trekking re-enactor methods and the higher tech hiking and camping skills, is at an all time high. Now this information is at the fingertips of many people like never before. There are myriad online communities, or forums, as they are referred to on the net, which can be found with a simple search. These forums are an integral part of your learning experience, providing you with information on skills, theory and gatherings. Some of these forums are very good, some are so so, and some are not worthy of your valuable time. But, when they're very good they grab and hold you so that you keep going back.
A GATHERING OF LIKE MINDS
Back in 2000, a core group of original members from Ron Hood's forum decided it would be great to organize a gathering, a meet that would allow people to connect a face with a name, a name the internet had held in a cloud of anonymity. While the excitement level was high, so was the level of concern, after all, this was the first time most of the members would meet face to face and no one knew what kind of whack job this event would attract. Think about it, here is a group of people that only know each other via pseudonyms on the internet. These are people who enjoy playing with guns and knives. None the less, the first ever “Hoodlum” event, dubbed H2K , was held in the state of Washington . What a success, what fun, everyone who attended knew that the start of something special had happened.
Following the success of the first annual gathering, subsequent events were held in different states, with a tradition to unite the “Hoodlums,” show off gear, give classes/instructions on many skills for no charge have a lot of fun and a chance to mingle with a bunch of like minded “lets head for the hills” folks.
H2K7 : MEETING IN THE DIRT
This year marked the 7th year in a row the event has been held. The location for this year's event was Bull Trout Lake Idaho. Once again, proving this year's crop of “Hoodlums” were no different from those of years past. New friendships were forged and old ones rekindled. Old timers showed up and the newbies dared to come and mingle . The consensus was everyone felt like they had known each other for years. Some thought this was one of the best gatherings yet. In many ways it was, but we don't believe it is fair to judge one against the other, since each gathering has its own personality. 
In the past, classes have always been held in a laid back manner. It is, after all, a social event, a place where people go to hang out and enjoy their time with others from the online community. This year's event, however, was a little bit more structured, but not so it seemed that way… if you follow. While there was plenty of time to socialize, the amount of instruction going on, at any given time, was what made this event such a great learning experience. As in the past gatherings there is always a lot going on. This year was no different.
Base camp, surrounded by lodge pole pines, is always the focal point of the “event. A parachute erected for shade, as a rain protector and as a spark
arrestor, was the central gathering point for the next three and a half days... Special thanks go out to the “Hoodlums” very own SERE specialists for providing and putting up the parachute.
The classes were a seamless blend of rimitive and modern skills. Joe Bigley (aka Aboman, of Salmon Outdoor School and well known author of :” Aboman's Guide To Wilderness Schools And Events” ) taught flint knapping with great patience and of course his outstanding skill. Denise, Joes wife, taught a super basket weaving class using willow. They both can be seen in the “WoodsMaster “ volume 16 and 17 and in the 'Woodsmaster home “ in Karen Hood's “Primitive Cooking” volume 5.
Allen Jensen, a representative for TOPS knives, taught knife and sheath making. He brought a generator, power tools, and other gear to assist in the construction of knives and sheaths. This proved to be a very popular class.
Allen was everywhere, what with his duties as cook and cleanup man, making patterns for sheaths, putting slabs on knives, grinding and cutting. It was a good thing his wife Chris was there to prop him up.
Two Air Force SERE specialists in attendance, Josh and Travis, gave straight forward instructions on land navigation using topographic maps of the area, compass and pace counting. This class, held in class room fashion followed by actual field practice, had many in rapt attention. It was a great learning experience that we all need to know and have it down. Josh and Travis provided the tools to do so with a wonderful enthusiasm. It was evident they know the subject very well indeed.
Todd, a Navy SEAL and Naval Survival instructor gave a class in the fine art of field first aid. It was down and dirty, effective instruction. He showed us how a proper suture should be made. He sliced an orange and several of us sewed it up under his practiced, critical eye and encouragement. The side stories were worth putting up with the blood of the orange… Instruction not to be missed.
Web, a SAR member and a rock climbing instructor, tantalized us with his vast knowledge of knots and how to properly tie them for a variety of different situations. This was an awesome thing to see and it is a skill you really must own. The group could not have asked for a better teacher, we kid you not.
Bill Hay, a retired tactical firearms instructor, gave instruction on weapons handling and the heavy duty ramifications. He gave a knife sharpening class using different grades of sandpaper and a block of wood , a skill he gives credit and a nod of thanks to Dr.Terry Trier. Bill has a very pleasant way of getting his point across and making it real.
George Michaud, a veteran professional trapper, gave a lesson on animal trapping and proper trap placement that deals with the environment you are in, as well as, how to take advantage of your surroundings. His setting and placement of a snare was enlightening even to some old time trappers. George's skills are well known in the primitive community.
Dude and Halcon, that's us, led a large group on a wild plant ID hike, through the woods and to the edges of a large pond or a small lake. We identified northwest plants such as, twinberry or bear berry, fireweed, strawberry, leafy astor, yarrow, selfheal, three spotted mariposa lily, larkspur, red clover, dwarf mountain lupine, thistle and many more. We explained the uses and how to prepare many of the plants.
Halcon led a class on friction fire making, where almost all who participated, successfully made a coal for the first time ever, using a hand drill, under the watchful eye of the Fire God.. The joy and benefits of using the Egyptian bow and drill over using the traditional bow and drill was evident as crys of , “Ive got a coal” rang over the camp. “Wow this so much easier I don't believe it” was heard over and over again.
Ron Hood, didn't formally hold a class, but peppered everyone with various tidbits of useful information that will prove to be helpful in the field. He explained “range estimation” and field expedient ways of determining the height of objects, such as trees, large boulders, a bluff and Bigfoot. Ron's knowledge base is legendary and he backs it up by doing it right there in front of you.
We are leaving out so many things like Bob and Pam who brought the firewood so no one would have to chop wood, all of those who made the camp tick and work, those who fed the rest of us. All the useful information the “Hoodlums” contributed to this unique forum gathering, ronnyvoo, rendezvous, camp. Dan, Lou and Allen who were the organizers of the gathering did an outstanding job. The group, the “Hoodlums “make this whole event work as it does.
We feel that you the reader will be pleased to know that we had more than a few active military present, they made special sacrifices to be at this event. It is also very interesting that they are including primitive skills as part of the skill set they are teaching in the military.
Most important this gathering covers everything from the very primitive of skill sets to the most modern with traditional thrown in the middle. It covers your own self-reliance and builds self confidence. If you can, you should try to get out to any of these types of events. The Hoodlums forum and the gatherings are open to all. You will not regret it one little bit. You will meet people who are just like you. No kidding, they are out there.
