How to Live Off the Land in North Carolina

Living off the land in North Carolina is certainly possible. The state was once part of the historic Cherokee Nation and has a vast amount of wildlife to sustain a wandering traveler or hiker. There are modern regulations you must abide by, such as attaining a fishing licence if you plan on fishing. Before you set out, make sure you have an idea of how you plan on living off the land and educate yourself on edible plants, building shelters and making fires in this region.

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
  • Saw
  • Fishing Rod
  • Knowledge of edible plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Before you build a shelter or set up your tent, find a clean and steady water supply. Move your site as close to the source as possible, avoiding any visible flood plain lines. If there is farmland around, this is extremely important as various fertilizers and chemicals can seep into the rivers from the farmland.

    • 2

      North Carolina has many fishing spots such as Roanoake River. Find a good fishing spot for a good source of food. The presence of most fish, especially salmon, also indicates fresh, clean water. Lake Nantahala is, however, the only area in North Carolina recognised for salmon fishing.

    • 3

      Build a shelter once you have found the ideal camping site. Make it as elaborate or simple as you want. A simple shelter, however, does not mean an ineffective one. Find a fallen branch and lean some thick, heavy branches onto one side of it at a diagonal angle. Cover these branches with pine branches and moss so that one side of the shelter is heavily covered and allows rain to pour off. Lighting a fire on the open side of the shelter reflects the heat off the inside, providing a warm sleeping area.

    • 4

      Eat a variety of plants. Many provide a lot of nutrients, which are key to maintaining health. Eat berries such as raspberries, wild strawberries, mulberries, blueberries and blackberries. Find edible acorns around trees and boil them to remove the toxic tannins. Locate plants such as nettles and cattails to meet a large part of your nutritional needs. Do not, however, eat plants or mushrooms you are not familiar. These pose a serious, if not fatal, health risk. Keep a portable North Carolina outdoor horticulture book on you, if necessary.