Bushcraft Courses
Join us at our stunning oak canopied private woodland set within the Harewood Estate of West Yorkshire. Our canopied basecamp and a wood fire ensure our clients keep dry and the kettle is always boiling so bring along your favourite brew.
All of our sessions are run with a maximum of 10 people, that way we can maintain a low presence in the forest in order to experience Nature up close. The small group sizes also ensure a high level of interaction with the instructor, we'll get plenty of one to one tuition through the workshops to develop your skills at your own pace.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, we're very open and there's no obligations.
Lightfoot Air Hunter LITE - A single day version
Lightfoot Air Hunter LITE - A single day version
This single day version of our Lightfoot Air-Hunter weekend course is new for 2024 and makes for a perfect entry point into this fascinating and fun field.
Hunting was once a cornerstone skill of what we now term ‘Bushcraft’. The ability to provide animal meat to eat, share with others and preserve as well as using fur for clothing, bone for tool and sinew for bindings meant that a large part of wilderness living was spent hunting or preparing for a hunt.
Have you ever wondered what it was like for our ancestors who took part in their hunting expeditions, what skills did they have, what tools did they use and what use did they make of the hunted animal? On this introductory day course, we will start to understand these skills of the ancient hunting expedition which include camouflage, concealment, and the ability to walk silently through the terrain and combine this with the modern tool of a sub-12 ft lb air rifle.
Air rifle hunting requires more skill, patience, and accuracy than other forms of hunting as the air rifle has its benefits in being quiet but is limited in range. The challenge of the hunt is increased as the air rifle hunter must close the distance to the quarry species which requires honed hunting skills. On this introductory day we will start to lay down those core skills of knowledge, accuracy, and mentored shooting practice to start you on the path to being able to enjoy the freedom and enjoyment of the hunt, whether purely for a fun activity, to add small game to your diet, or to use the animal in additional bushcraft skills such as fur tanning or bone tool use.
An important note: Due to the nature of running courses, we will not be shooting live quarry during the weekend.
SPECIAL EVENT: In partnership with Urban Wild Play, Gilly Thompstone and the Howl Team are running a bespoke Women's only day for the Lightfoot LITE course on November 24th 2024. Simply book below or direct any queries to the wonderful Gilly.
During our bushcraft courses small game may be provided as part of the food provision, we take pride in sourcing our meat in what we feel to be as ethical a way possible. In mind of this ethos, we crafted this course. It may be a daunting prospect to start out in hope of securing some of your diet from hunted game, but it is our belief that this admirable goal should be accessible to anyone.
Hunting with sub-12 ft lb air rifles is perfectly within reach for most people, and the pairing with bushcraft makes for a well-rounded skill set that was very common not too long along. Our LITE course aims to introduce you the skills to safely stalk and hunt small game species. The small game species of pigeon, squirrel and rabbit form the backbone of bushcraft cookery in the UK and can then lead onto making use of furs and other craft skills.
The aim of this course is to equip the candidate with the knowledge, understanding, and awareness of airgun hunting techniques.
WHAT’S COVERED:
Air Rifle Skills
The Law including permissions
Safety & Rifle handling and carrying
Basic shooting positions
Range Judging
Static techniques
Reactions to shot
Practical marksmanship
Bushcraft Skills
Stalking and walking quietly through differing environments
Nature awareness
Cookery techniques
Prepare game for cooking over the fire.
DETAILS:
NEW FOR 2024
9.30am - 4.30pm
£135 per person
Please note the terms and conditions before you book
Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests to ensure we create a subtle atmosphere in the woods, and you get a very high interaction time with the instructor.
PLEASE NOTE: This course includes the use of fire arms, as air rifles are deemed in UK legislation, and as such you will be require to sign declarations after booking to state that you are in a legal position to do so. You will not be allow to attend the course if you cannot fulfil the declaration. If you have any questions do email us.
A full kit list is given out on booking but you won’t need much more than some warm clothing.
This course is catered with lunch. Please inform us of any dietary requirements, we're happy to cater to any needs.
Due the involved nature of this course, we don't feel its suitable to under 14 year olds (please ask if you have any questions)
Under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult
Run in a beautiful private Woodland on the Harewood Estate near Harrogate. We'll send you exact directions with the booking pack.
Lead Airgun Instructor: Steven Pearson
BASC Airgun instructor status
BASC Advanced airgun hunting award
Trained hunter status and FSA approval for small game
DSC1 and Trained hunter status for big game (except wild boar)
BASC Insurance - £10 million public liability
First Aid at Work + Forestry
