Bushwhacking

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These excursions aim to provide amateur naturalists who have some existing knowledge and/or prior training an opportunity to exercise and enhance their skills. Small groups will visit wild areas to forage for wild plants and mushrooms together. Groups are intentionally kept small so that our Guide is able to provide more one-on-one style instruction to members throughout, and to minimize our impact on the spaces we visit.

The primary goal of our Bushwhacking Excursion is knowledge and experience. However, as long as conditions permit their responsible and sustainable harvest, we also hope to leave these excursions with some wild edibles to enjoy later.

DIFFICULTY: Intense

Some locations may have no established trail system or maintenance whatsoever. If we're lucky, there may be deer-paths to follow, but more likely than not we'll be foraging our own way through the undergrowth, mud and/or flooding depending on location and time of year. Expect difficult and often unwelcoming terrain throughout.

DURATION: ~2.5 - 3.0 Hours

Bushwhacking is time consuming in and of itself, and the one-on-one style of these events can slow things down even more. Depending on the skill level of the group and their general determination, more or less ground may be covered accordingly, potentially resulting on a longer hike-in/hike-out than initially anticipated. We plan for these events to last anywhere between two and a half to four hours, just in case, and recommend participants do the same.

CREATURE CLIMATE: Intense

You WILL become intimately acquainted with ticks, be required to make frequent Blood Sacrifices to the Mosquito Horde (often regardless of precautions), and endure verbal harassment from various critters that you've offended with your presence 🤷‍♀️.

With the exception of Mosquitoes and Ticks, it is rare to be met with outright aggression when crossing paths with local creatures in these areas. Most will avoid us entirely (i.e., deer etc.), some may observe from a distance out of curiosity (i.e., wild turkeys, crows, etc.), and others hide in place until the last minute so that they can flee in a sudden burst of noise to startle you in retaliation (i.e., grouse).... 

All jokes aside, while there are hazardous animals in these areas to be aware of (i.e., coyote, rutting buck, porcupine, etc.) seeing them at all is uncommon (they generally prefer to avoid humans), and it is even more uncommon to have a dangerous encounter with them. In a very real way the biggest threat that will be encountered is the smallest and most unimposing of creatures - ticks, and to a lesser degree, mosquitoes. 

Subject Overview:

The following core topics will be addressed during each excursion:

• Location-Specific Details (type of property, ownership/management, unique features, rules, etc.)
• Responsible Access (location-based foraging and off-trail exploring prohibitions, trespassing, consequences, etc.)
• General Safety (guarding against ticks, identifying and avoiding environmental hazards etc.)
• Stewardship Principles (recognizing and managing access impact, etc.)
• Plant Identification and Safety (safe and hazardous, uses and dangers, etc.)
• Mushroom Identification and Safety (how to identify mushroom species, safe and hazardous species, uses and dangers etc.)

GRIT

First and foremost, you'll need grit.

It is not uncommon for these excursions to be uncomfortable:

• often it will be hot with minimal relief because bare skin or light clothing will be exploited by the Mosquito Horde as a buffet, and the thick undergrowth nullifies any cool breezes
• the terrain is usually unaccommodating (sometimes flooded, muddy, etc.) and physically demanding
• being mummified with layers of sunscreen, bug spray, and sweat under protective bug-proof clothing (probably) caked in mud isn't exactly a spa treatment

In addition, it is also possible that we'll endure these conditions and have little to show for it at the end of the day. Drought and other unusual climate conditions may undermine our search for certain plants and fungi, leaving us with fewer learning and/or foraging opportunities than we'd like. Whether foraging finds are plentiful or limited during the excursion, grit is the number one, nonnegotiable tool that you'll require to get the most out of the experience.

***MANDATORY GEAR***

To ensure everyone's safety, the below gear items are mandatory for all Wild "Grocery Shopping" Trips, and will be required for participation:

• Government-issued Photo Identification
• Provincial Health Card (or equivalent health coverage identification)
• Sturdy Hiking Boots (no sandals, flip-flops, running shoes etc.)
• High Visibility Shirt or Vest (will be provided)

GENERAL GEAR

General items you should bring to ensure you are able to get the most out of these trips are listed below. 

• Basket/Mesh Bags
• Small Gardening Spade
• Small Gardening Shears
• Small Utility Knife
• Snacks or a light (and portable) lunch

RECOMMENDED GEAR (by season)

Everyone is different in terms of what gear will be essential in ensuring their comfort under the conditions that may be encountered in wild spaces, so we've also included some optional but recommended gear to consider by season.

All Seasons:

• LONG Pants (not shorts)
• Water Bladder/Bottle
• Sun Protection
• Gaiters
• Dry Change of Clothes (leave in car; to change into later if you get wet)
• Change of Footwear (leave in car; to change into after event if you prefer)
• Wet-Wipes (leave in car; to clean up muddy/sweaty hands after event)

Spring:

• Bug-Proof, Long-Sleeved Shirt
• Bug-Proof Face Shield/Hood
• Bite/Prick-Proof Gloves
• Tall, Sturdy Rubber Boots
• Mosquito/Tick Protection
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
• Cooler with Ice (leave in vehicle; to preserve and transport foraged items)

Summer:

• Extra Water (2-3L total)
• Bug-Proof, Long-Sleeved Shirt
• Bug-Proof Face Shield/Hood
• Bite/Prick-Proof Gloves
• Mosquito/Tick Protection
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
• Cooler with Ice (leave in vehicle; to preserve and transport foraged items)

Fall:

• Bug-Proof, Long-Sleeved Shirt
• Bug-Proof Face Shield/Hood
• Bite/Prick-Proof Gloves
• Tall, Sturdy Rubber Boots
• Mosquito/Tick Protection
• Rain Coat/Poncho
• Towel (leave in vehicle; to dry off if needed and/or protect seats from mud)
• Cooler with Ice (leave in vehicle; to preserve and transport foraged items)

Winter:

• Warm Layers
• Warm Gloves
• Crampons