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The Total Outdoorsman Manual (Canadian edition): 312 Essential Skills
The Total Outdoorsman Manual is the ultimate guide book for the outdoors enthusiast, packed with hundreds of practical tips and techniques from T. Edward Nickens and the experts at Field & Stream magazine, that is guaranteed to improve your hunting, fishing, camping and survival skills. This special edition, issued for the 10th anniversary of the Total Outdoorsman Challenge has all the content readers love, plus 50 new activities that can help anyone compete in the Challenge.
With practical information for both the beginner and advanced outdoorsman, the book is an authoritative, comprehensive, and entertaining guide that will enable anyone to master the outdoors and hunt, fish, and camp like an expert. The 10th anniversary edition includes a chapter of new tricks and skills from Total Outdoorsman Challenge contestants.
HUNT BETTER How to track a buck, make the toughest shots, master bowhunting and knife skills, and haul, butcher, and cook wild game.
FISH SMARTER Advice on the best techniques for flyfishing, baitcasting, and spinning, as well as surefire ways to get the most out of your motorboat, canoe, or kayak.
SURVIVE ANYTHING Whether you fall through thick ice, are swept away by a raging river, or have a stare down with an angry bear, these skills means the difference between life and death.
CAMP ANYWHERE Tested and proven expert tips to help you stay warm, eat well, and build a fire in any situation in record time.
WIN
Field & Stream
For more than 100 years, Field & Stream magazine has provided expert advice on every aspect of the outdoor life, including hunting, fishing, conservation, and wilderness survival. The magazine's annual Total Outdoorsman issue is one of its most popular, read by over nine million sporting enthusiasts. The Total Outdoorsman Challenge brings together avid hunters and anglers from around the country to demonstrate their skills and compete for big bucks and bigger glory. Winners are all-around hunters, fishermen, and survivors with a flair for problem-solving and the skills to prevail.
With practical information for both the beginner and advanced outdoorsman, the book is an authoritative, comprehensive, and entertaining guide that will enable anyone to master the outdoors and hunt, fish, and camp like an expert. The 10th anniversary edition includes a chapter of new tricks and skills from Total Outdoorsman Challenge contestants.
HUNT BETTER How to track a buck, make the toughest shots, master bowhunting and knife skills, and haul, butcher, and cook wild game.
FISH SMARTER Advice on the best techniques for flyfishing, baitcasting, and spinning, as well as surefire ways to get the most out of your motorboat, canoe, or kayak.
SURVIVE ANYTHING Whether you fall through thick ice, are swept away by a raging river, or have a stare down with an angry bear, these skills means the difference between life and death.
CAMP ANYWHERE Tested and proven expert tips to help you stay warm, eat well, and build a fire in any situation in record time.
WIN
Field & Stream
For more than 100 years, Field & Stream magazine has provided expert advice on every aspect of the outdoor life, including hunting, fishing, conservation, and wilderness survival. The magazine's annual Total Outdoorsman issue is one of its most popular, read by over nine million sporting enthusiasts. The Total Outdoorsman Challenge brings together avid hunters and anglers from around the country to demonstrate their skills and compete for big bucks and bigger glory. Winners are all-around hunters, fishermen, and survivors with a flair for problem-solving and the skills to prevail.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2012
25 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 29, 2023
Since the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the proximity to the area, the possibility of an escalation made me lose my sleep and think about preparing for potentially extreme survival situations. So I decided to read more about these unpleasant situations. This is the first book from this series that I've finished. Unfortunately, the book is more about hunting and fishing than survival outdoors. However, both of these are important, and the book is written by an American author for the American public looking for tips for survival in the American wilderness. So if you are a lover of hunting and fishing, this is a good book for you. Since I am not, the rating is rather low.
December 2, 2016
The main idea of this book is on fishing, hunting, camping, and surviving. This book teaches you 374 skills that you need to maybe learn how to fish or learn how to hunt, or if you are out in the middle of nowhere and all you have is some rope and matches this book teaches you how to survive with those 2 things that you have with you at the time. The authors theme of this book is if you want to learn something new just do it but when you do it, learn every bit of it because you might miss some tools that you need for each subject. The setting of this book can be really anywhere. It could be in a grassy plain with a lot of CRP grass in it and you are trying to kill a few pheasants, or it could be on a deserted island, or in the middle of nowhere trying to fight and survive for your life, it could also be on a mountain and you are camping, or you could be fishing out of a bass boat trying to catch a lake record bass. The kind of person that would read this book is someone that would want to become a part of the outdoors, or someone that just outright wants to learn how to fish, hunt, camp, or survive.
October 13, 2011
The book is divided into four sections: Camping, Fishing, Hunting & Survival. As someone not living in North America who hasn't fished in a decade and is never likely to take up hunting except in a survival situation the middle two (and by far the larger) sections were of interest but not relevance to me personally. This book is not a how-to guide but rather a collection of tips and techniques so this is a book you read in addition to other resources, and to further your expertise in these areas. Whilst I say much of the book was not of relevance to me and my activities, it was an enjoyable read with great illustrations and some humour. I learned new skills & got some ideas that were unique to this book that I haven't found in other texts and felt it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.
February 26, 2021
I read this book to expand my knowledge of the outdoors and have new tricks for the next time I'm in the woods. This book lived up to the expectations that I had for the book and gave me many useful tips for the four main areas of being an outdoorsman, fishing, hunting, camping, and survival. My personal connections to this book are having previously having seen the book around the house but not having read it, as well as have it recommended to me multiple times. Always be prepared for anything to happen while outdoors as the elements are unpredictable. The demographic for this book is for those people who are either inexperienced outdoorsmen or are looking for a few tips on ways to improve their skills in hunting, fishing, survival, and camping.
October 11, 2021
I picked this up at the library to learn knots and I'm interested in servivel skills. It was better than I anticipated.
I'm not into camping, hunting, and fishing but I still read those parts. There's so much information in here. I think it's good for everyone to learn the basics of survival and roughing it even if you're not going to go camping because you never know what kind of situation you might find yourself in.
There is a newer edition of this book. I would recommend looking for the newest addition if possible, if you're interested in this.
I'm not into camping, hunting, and fishing but I still read those parts. There's so much information in here. I think it's good for everyone to learn the basics of survival and roughing it even if you're not going to go camping because you never know what kind of situation you might find yourself in.
There is a newer edition of this book. I would recommend looking for the newest addition if possible, if you're interested in this.
March 18, 2014
The Total Outdoorsman Manual: Updated & Expanded by T. Edwards Nickens and the Editors of Field & Stream Magazine is designed to be a one stop resource for the outdoorsman whether he be a novice or experienced. Developed from publishing the magazine for decades, the information contained in this hardback book covers just about everything one would need for any outdoor endeavor. The five detailed sections to this book along with a multipage index are designed for those that don't want to sit in a camping ground with all the creature comforts of home, but instead go to the backcountry far from people and assistance.
After a forward by Field & Stream Editor Anthony Licata and an introduction by Editor-at-Large T. Edward Nickens, it is on to the sections of the book. The first section is on “camping.” After a brief introduction about the belief by T. Edward Nickens that you can separate campers into two groups--those who do just enough to get by and those who do everything letter perfect the first time (just in case)---it is on to information. From the right place to make camp, making the load of your backpack lighter, rain proofing your tent, proper cooking technique for a variety of situations, and more. This section is all about how to properly rough it while also minimizing your impact on nature. Along with detailed information and tips there are the awe inspiring pictures that make you want to throw down everything and head out the door.
It is worth noting that each section is color coded and the individual pages within a section are not numbered. Instead, the tips are numbered and that same numbering system is used for the table of contents and index.
“Fishing” comes next and starts on page 64 according to the table of contents. After another brief introduction to the section, anything fishing is covered. From tips on how to flip a lure, fly casting, differences between types of reels, various baits, cooking fish various ways, reading the waterway, using the paper knot, and lots more, everything related to fishing is covered here. This includes how to store equipment, fixing your kayak, unhooking yourself (having had some painful experiences with that I would suggest avoiding being hooked at all costs), and how to properly boat or paddle downstream. Both bank fishing as well as water craft fishing of various types is covered in this section.
If you are more into hunting that section comes next with a brief introduction followed by the actual information. Weapons of various types and capabilities are discussed, along with ammunition choices, trajectories, stalking tips, cooking tips and more. Items related to archery are included here. Like in the fishing section there is plenty of information here on how to cook various meats as well as the proper way to field dress and pack your meat out of the wild.
Things can go bad in the wilderness and frequently make national and often tragic news. Many other cases never make news because those involved had survival skills and put them to use. “Survival Skills” is the final and quite possibly the most important section of this book. While there are tips scattered in other sections, this section starting on page 317 covers things such as falling through ice, building a fire in bad weather or by using your binoculars as well as other situations, what you should have in a survival kit, eating road kill or drinking your own urine, navigation by the moon and the stars, making shelter of various types, treating injuries, as well as lots of other topics. It is an important section and one well worth reading as your very survival, as well as anyone with you, may be dependent on the information here.
A four page index along with information on the magazine, credits and acknowledgments bring this book to a close.
With 320 pages in the book The Total Outdoorsman Manual: Updated & Expanded is a wealth of information. It becomes readily apparent that the book could have been designed better. Gathering all the ways of cooking within a section together, duck hunting tips all together, etc., would have made more sense and would have been much more helpful to the user. Instead, interrelated tips on a subject are scattered throughout a section as well as across multiple sections. This results in information, for example, one might consider survival, such as the information on water proof matches, not being located in the survival section, but is found in the camping section. That factor as well as choosing not to number the pages in favor of numbering the tips instead are definite negatives to the book. That being said, the clear and concise information and illustrations, as well as the many photographs, make the book worth your time and an important resource for you and others on your next trip to the great outdoors.
The Total Outdoorsman Manual: Updated & Expanded (10th Anniversary Edition)
T. Edward Nickens and the Editors of Field & Stream Magazine
Weldon Owen Inc. (division of Bonnier as is Field &Stream Magazine)
http://www.wopublishing.com
October 2013
ISBN# 978-1-61628-639-2
Hardback
320 Pages
$31.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
After a forward by Field & Stream Editor Anthony Licata and an introduction by Editor-at-Large T. Edward Nickens, it is on to the sections of the book. The first section is on “camping.” After a brief introduction about the belief by T. Edward Nickens that you can separate campers into two groups--those who do just enough to get by and those who do everything letter perfect the first time (just in case)---it is on to information. From the right place to make camp, making the load of your backpack lighter, rain proofing your tent, proper cooking technique for a variety of situations, and more. This section is all about how to properly rough it while also minimizing your impact on nature. Along with detailed information and tips there are the awe inspiring pictures that make you want to throw down everything and head out the door.
It is worth noting that each section is color coded and the individual pages within a section are not numbered. Instead, the tips are numbered and that same numbering system is used for the table of contents and index.
“Fishing” comes next and starts on page 64 according to the table of contents. After another brief introduction to the section, anything fishing is covered. From tips on how to flip a lure, fly casting, differences between types of reels, various baits, cooking fish various ways, reading the waterway, using the paper knot, and lots more, everything related to fishing is covered here. This includes how to store equipment, fixing your kayak, unhooking yourself (having had some painful experiences with that I would suggest avoiding being hooked at all costs), and how to properly boat or paddle downstream. Both bank fishing as well as water craft fishing of various types is covered in this section.
If you are more into hunting that section comes next with a brief introduction followed by the actual information. Weapons of various types and capabilities are discussed, along with ammunition choices, trajectories, stalking tips, cooking tips and more. Items related to archery are included here. Like in the fishing section there is plenty of information here on how to cook various meats as well as the proper way to field dress and pack your meat out of the wild.
Things can go bad in the wilderness and frequently make national and often tragic news. Many other cases never make news because those involved had survival skills and put them to use. “Survival Skills” is the final and quite possibly the most important section of this book. While there are tips scattered in other sections, this section starting on page 317 covers things such as falling through ice, building a fire in bad weather or by using your binoculars as well as other situations, what you should have in a survival kit, eating road kill or drinking your own urine, navigation by the moon and the stars, making shelter of various types, treating injuries, as well as lots of other topics. It is an important section and one well worth reading as your very survival, as well as anyone with you, may be dependent on the information here.
A four page index along with information on the magazine, credits and acknowledgments bring this book to a close.
With 320 pages in the book The Total Outdoorsman Manual: Updated & Expanded is a wealth of information. It becomes readily apparent that the book could have been designed better. Gathering all the ways of cooking within a section together, duck hunting tips all together, etc., would have made more sense and would have been much more helpful to the user. Instead, interrelated tips on a subject are scattered throughout a section as well as across multiple sections. This results in information, for example, one might consider survival, such as the information on water proof matches, not being located in the survival section, but is found in the camping section. That factor as well as choosing not to number the pages in favor of numbering the tips instead are definite negatives to the book. That being said, the clear and concise information and illustrations, as well as the many photographs, make the book worth your time and an important resource for you and others on your next trip to the great outdoors.
The Total Outdoorsman Manual: Updated & Expanded (10th Anniversary Edition)
T. Edward Nickens and the Editors of Field & Stream Magazine
Weldon Owen Inc. (division of Bonnier as is Field &Stream Magazine)
http://www.wopublishing.com
October 2013
ISBN# 978-1-61628-639-2
Hardback
320 Pages
$31.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
January 19, 2021
this book has a lot of facts and it tells you about the four big parts(hunting, fishing, camping, and survival. i think that people should read this book if they want to learn about the four big parts. this book is nonfiction and it is so good for you to now what to do in bad situation
September 14, 2023
I liked it a lot. It taught how to not roll a fourwheeler
October 29, 2013
The book that I read was The Total Outdoorsman Manual by T.EDWARD NICKENS and the editor of FIELD AND STREAM. This book is about survival skills in Camping, Fishing, Hunting and Survival. One interesting skill that I learned is how to make a fire in pouring rain. My favorite part of the book is the whole thing because it was all about the wilderness and learned some technics that I didn’t know before like how to eat road kill. I think the author’s purpose was to teach both young and older people different survival technics that can help you in all most any situation. This book can get you out of almost any tough situation that your in.
I could easily connect with this book because it talked a lot about the woods and I’m always in the woods practicing different technics. In this book I learned how to make waterproof matches, and eat road kill. I would defiantly recommend this book to any one how is interested in the wilderness and want’s to learn more about them or joust wants to learn a few technics that can save your life.
I could easily connect with this book because it talked a lot about the woods and I’m always in the woods practicing different technics. In this book I learned how to make waterproof matches, and eat road kill. I would defiantly recommend this book to any one how is interested in the wilderness and want’s to learn more about them or joust wants to learn a few technics that can save your life.
February 4, 2013
This had a lot of great outdoor tips and hints - camping, survival, outdoor cooking - that I liked. Nice illustrations and practical hints. I won't be using most of the fishing or hunting tips, but I will file away the camping, cooking, and survival information. And humor was sprinkled in with the facts, making it a fun read.
February 16, 2013
I have a cottage way in the bush in NW Ontario. Some tips ill use and some I won't. If u do back country hiking, sledding, fishing, etc, it has some tips that might help u out if u get stranded. I was once and since then I've tried to prepare myself better. If u live in midtown Manhattan, maybe not for you
April 3, 2013
This book was great it is divide into four sections (camp,fish,hunt,survive). It gave great tips on each and every section. It teaches you lots of stuff such as how to survive a fall through the ice all the way on up too how to catch trout without a fly rode. Back down to how to make a complete bush craft camp.
March 11, 2014
Great book!! Has lots of tips and tricks or everyday and unexpected outdoor survival, lots of ideas to try out in the field for that just in case scenario while enjoying the outdoors.
Conveniently, this books looks like it could hold together while reading in a rain or snow storm, the pages seem protected/water proof.
Conveniently, this books looks like it could hold together while reading in a rain or snow storm, the pages seem protected/water proof.
January 23, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It is full of tips, tricks and recipes for the great outdoors. I especially enjoyed the camping tips. Although, if I ever need to kill a wild boar with a knife, I'm set.
I would recommend for a fun run to read with a friend.
I would recommend for a fun run to read with a friend.
October 12, 2015
Overall good, but with (in my opinion) a disproportionate amount of content on hunting tricks & technique (which could be its own book) vs. overall outdoorsman info.
Still good info and a worthwhile read, however.
Still good info and a worthwhile read, however.
January 19, 2016
The book I read in the 2nd quarter was great. Field and Stream taught me how to camp in the wild. They taught me how to survive alone in the wild for days. Last they taught me how to hunt and fish the proper way. That is what the total outdoorsman manual taught me this quarter.
June 22, 2011
Oh, Field & Stream. How much crazy advice can you give? Best part of the whole book? "If a bear is aware of your presence and approaches in a non-defensive, unconcerned manner, get very serious."
December 31, 2012
Not impressed. I was hoping for more of a "primer" on outdoorsman skills.
May 25, 2013
like the other two books in this series, this book was informational and well-written, with just enough trivia and amusing anecdotes to temper the length of the book.
October 13, 2013
This book is awesome! A birthday gift for my husband and he LOVES it.
September 26, 2014
Lots of quick tips and tricks with pretty pictures. Reads similar to a "Guinness Book of World Records" book with short blurbs for each "Skill".
September 26, 2015
lots of detailed illustrations. I especially loved the many knots and specific uses for different situations...
September 26, 2015
A decent comprehensive book of the outdoors. No more than that.
July 4, 2016
Lots of day to day information that has been lost to the every day working man. Good resource book to have around!
October 22, 2011
Somewhat entertaining, and occasionally funny. A good book for bathroom reading.
Read
September 10, 2014Its a great book
November 8, 2014
Great book for MS or HS.
May 29, 2017
Fun read. Large collection of tips divided into four major categories: camping, fishing, hunting, and survival. Very few "tips" went into much detail, but it's super easy to Google for more details. Great "bathroom" read.
Read
October 18, 2018This book was really useful and the skills came in handy.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews