WILDERNESS LIFESTYLE

Wild Food Procurement Cripple Creek, CO

Learn to resource essential nutrients and protein off the forest floor with the use of primitive traps, ancestral fishing techniques, and knowledge of wild edible plants.

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Learn the Connection Between People and Plants with #WildcardJacks

Securing reliable food in the wilderness requires more than luck. It requires an understanding of the landscape, animal behavior, and the ability to build simple systems that work for you over time. This four day field course focuses on practical, time tested methods for gathering protein from the natural world using traps, fishing systems, and careful observation of the environment. Students will learn to construct fish basket traps, crawdad traps, primitive fishing setups, and several styles of small game traps and snares using accessible materials and clear field methods.

Wild Food Procurement is Your Winning Hand in Wilderness Living

Deepen your connection to the natural world and discover various uses for procuring wild protein.

What will you discover?

Primitive Trapping: Learn Various Spring Pole Traps, Deadfalls, and Snares for Small Game

Primitive Fishing: Discover Passive and Active Ancestral Fishing Techniques

Salt: Learn Various Methods for Procuring Salt Off the Landscape and Sea

Plant ID: Learn How to Positively Identify Useful Edible Plants

Instruction emphasizes hands on learning and real world application. Participants will practice reading animal sign, selecting productive locations for sets, and understanding how water systems, terrain, and seasonal patterns influence success. The course also includes a brief introduction to wild edible plants that can supplement protein sources. By the end of the program, students will walk away with practical skills and the confidence to build effective food procurement systems in a wilderness setting.

Projects include: runway snares, spring pole traps, deadfalls, crawdad traps, funnel traps, netmaking, and more

Wild Food Procurement • COLORADO

$695.00

Dates

WILD FOOD PROCUREMENT

4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS

Beginner/Moderate Level

$695.00

COURSE DETAILS​:

• How to identify productive locations for trapping based on landscape features and animal movement

• Construction of fish basket traps using natural and simple materials

• Building and setting traps in creeks and freshwater systems

• Creating primitive and passive fishing systems including handlines, set lines, gill nets, and improvised hooks

• Principles of effective small game trapping and snaring

• Fundamentals of reading animal sign and basic tracking for food procurement

• Introduction to a handful of reliable wild edible plants that provide nutrients

• Ethical harvesting, trap placement strategies, and understanding local wildlife patterns

Sleeping Arrangements:

Students are not required to stay on site, however, overnight camping is encouraged to deepen social bonds around the fire.

Restrooms:

There are Port-A-Johns on this property.

Food:

Food is not provided so students are required to bring their own meals and snacks for consumption. 

There are scheduled breaks for meal times. Everyone usually gathers around the campfire during mealtimes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for fellowship. 

If you have a cooler, we recommend filling it with ice to store perishable items to keep everything fresh and ready to enjoy.

Students should still inform the instructor of any critical food allergies if any.

Terrain:

The property is rich in resources on top of a diverse range of edible and medicinal plants. 

Participants should be mindful of their physical limitations and potential for mechanical injury when navigating off the trails. 

Cell Coverage:

Cell service is reliable.

WiFi is available for emergency use.

Water:

We suggest bringing plenty of water for hydration, cooking, and hygiene. 

Potable water is available on site.

Power:

There is no external power source available for students. Participants should bring their own power stations or chargeable units for cell phones, head lamps, etc.

Trash:

Please respect this land and “leave no trace" principles.

TRAVEL ITEMS REQUIRED BY THE PARTICIPANT:

  • Sleep System (Tent/Hammock) and Insulation (If choosing to stay on site)
  • Collapsible Chair
  • Headlamp with Spare Batteries
  • Proper Clothing for Season and Weather
  • Leather Gloves
  • Cookware and stoves for personal meals you provide
  • Water and Container
  • Hygiene items and Medications
  • Notebooks and Pencils
  • Combination Tool like a Leatherman or SAK
  • Cargo Tape for Repair

TOOLS AND GEAR FOR COURSE USE WILL BE PROVIDED by Wildcard Wilderness Survival

If you choose to bring your own gear, then below is what is recommended and not required!

OPTIONAL GEAR LIST:

  • Fixed Blade Knife with Sheath (4" min blade length)
  • Folding Saw or Bucksaw

 Recommended Gear for this Class

The Survival University

71 Monarch Dr, Cripple Creek, CO 80813

FINE PRINT:

  • Instructor is Wilderness First Responder certified and a licensed HAM Radio operator (KE8WHY)
  • Potable water is available on site and in the classroom
  • Be prepared for All Weather as this class is in an outdoor setting
  • No Meals are provided so students must bring their own food and snacks. A 90-minute lunch break is given should students wish to cook their meal or leave the property
  • Portable Restrooms are within 100 meters of the classroom
  • Students are not required to stay on site after class hours however it is encouraged to develop connections around a central fire
  • Students can tent camp or hammock camp, however, space is limited for hammocks
  • Firearms are not permitted in the classroom
  • Alcohol and drug use are not permitted during class hours
  • Students accept all liability for personal injury

The Survival University

71 Monarch Dr, Cripple Creek, CO 80813

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