Self-Sufficiency, Emergency Preparedness, and a Better Understanding of the Natural World: Take Your Skills To the Next Level...

Hello, my name is Lee Burton, founder and owner of Naturalist Studies and an adjunct professor in animal behavior at several universities. I grew up in small town Texas where my father and other relatives took me fishing and taught me how to hunt. I developed a love for almost anything involving the outdoors, whether it was catching a fish in a wooded canyon stream, or traversing a hillside to sneak up on an unsuspecting deer.

But when I became an adult, I realized I didn't know near as much about the outdoors as I thought I did. So I began studying everything I could about the natural world to learn as much as possible about animals, plants, and ecology in general, becoming a master naturalist along the way.

That path led me to travel the world, visiting some of the most remote places on the planet in Asia, Africa, and South America to see first hand what nature had to offer and how people interacted with it. Those experiences were amazing, and I saw and learned things that most people will never see.

But I wasn't satisfied.

When I returned home, I still had this itch that needed scratching. It was great to learn ABOUT nature, but I wanted to interact with it, to learn more hands-on skills, to CONNECT and have a relationship with it. So I doubled-down and started taking courses and reading books on ancient skills, sometimes referred to as 'Traditional Ecological Knowledge' (TEK) which included pursuits like animal tracking, bird language, foraging, and wilderness survival.

And that changed EVERYTHING!

Rather than just viewing nature through the lens of an observer, I was experiencing it first hand. Perhaps more importantly, I began to realize that I was actually part of the story, one that was unfolding around me every time I stepped outside, even in my own back yard. My own experiences were so much more rewarding, and I wanted to find a way to share that with others.

I always enjoyed teaching based on previous experience, so I played around with the idea of starting an outdoor school. But there were a lot of established schools already, and I wanted to reach more people than just my local community. Then one day I got a call from a friend who was a biology professor at a respected university, and who knew about my outdoor skills. She asked if I would consider authoring and teaching an online class on animal tracking.

My response was, "You're not serious. How could someone learn field skills online?"

But after kicking the idea around some more, I began to think it might be possible. I started developing a few online lessons to see how it might be done. And to my great surprise, not only was it doable, but it actually offered some great advantages. So I finished the course materials and taught a class to a group of university students and held my breath...and then the feedback came in.

I was astounded. The reviews were off the charts. Many students said it was their favorite course they had ever taken. Why? Because in an online environment you can visually show the essentials of what someone needs to know and you aren't limited to a 'once only viewing.' While in-person classes are great, you typically only get a few hours of instruction and then are left to your own devices. With online learning, you can return to watch it over and over again, reinforcing the understanding while picking up new aspects each time.

To be fair, you can't simply watch something online and then become an expert at it. Just like reading a book or instruction manual, you have to go out and practice the skills or do your homework so to speak, and then repeat it until it sticks. But if you are willing to put in the 'dirt time', then you CAN and WILL become proficient in outdoor skills.

After that first semester, I taught the course again at several other universities, getting the same positive feedback each time. I knew I was onto something, so I founded Naturalist Studies with the intention of offering the same valuable content to the general public.

Now I am teaming up with survival expert and foraging instructor Matthew Hunter to bring you this course. And we're making it available at an extremely discounted rate: three courses for the price of one (foraging, tracking, survival). The Ultimate Outdoorsman combines my years of experience in animal tracking and behavior with Matthew's deep knowledge of wilderness survival and edible plants to bring you the ultimate online course for learning outdoor skills!

8-Week Course Syllabus

Week 1

The Naturalist: Identifying Plant & Animal Resources In Your Area

The famous scouts, pioneers, and mountain men of old had an intimate knowledge of the natural world that allowed them to subsist on the land and thrive in hostile conditions. In this lesson you're going to discover the hidden lives of plants and animals so that you too can learn to identify and utilize the natural resources around you.

• Intro to Tracking and Track Morphology
• Tree and Leaf Identification: The Foundation of All Nature Study
• 10 Common Useful Plants for Bushcraft and Survival

Week 2

The Survivor: Cheating Death In the Wilderness

Every year people die in remote wilderness areas due to a lack of preparedness, poor planning, and a general ignorance of the dangers of backcountry travel. In this lesson we're going to look at the top causes of death in the wilderness and list the practical steps you can take to avoid becoming a statistic.

• Know the "ten fatal mistakes"
  
• Learn how avoid fatal mistakes in the wilderness by studying how people have died in the past
• Learn the history of wilderness death and injury so You Can Avoid the past mistakes of others
• Tips for learning survival skills QUICKLY (7 rookie training mistakes to avoid)

Week 3

The Hunter: Identifying & Locating Big Game

Hunting is a lot more than grabbing a shotgun, running out into the woods, and hoping for the best (although that's how most of us got started). In this lesson Lee goes through strategies for effectively locating animals so you can be more successful on your next game expedition.

• Finding game trails and identifying and recognizing fresh animal sign
• Techniques for finding deer, elk, wild sheep, and moose
• The Map Scout: How to find good hunting locations by understanding the ecology and terrain

Week 4

The Forager: Living Off The Land With Wild Plants

Foraging is an age-old tradition that was once heavily relied upon for daily sustenance. In this lesson you're going to get a basic understanding of what it takes to start harvesting your own food right from the wild!

• Learn the high-calorie survival foods that can REALISTICALLY feed you if an emergency strikes
• Discover 4 key strategies for living off the land with wild plants 
• Learn which widespread plants Native Americans used to survive during hard times and famine

Week 5

The Trapper: Predator Tracking and Self-Sufficiency in the Wilderness

Learning how to set up snares, footholds, and conibears is a skillset unto itself, but it's nothing compared to the years it takes to become a competent tracker. In this lesson we're going to look at what is arguably the trappers most important skill set: finding animal tracks and trails.

• Big cats: Everything you need to know to track bobcat, lynx, and mountain lions
• Canine track & sign: Wolves, foxes, and coyotes
• Medium sized game (and tricks for catching them)
• The 3 most reliable emergency food procurement methods for living off the land

Week 6

The Mountaineer: Mastering the Elements

During the 1986 Steger Expedition to the North Pole, an eight man team traveled 300 miles on dogsled without any resupply. The average temperature during the expedition was between -20° and -40°F, but at one point it dropped down to a whopping -71°F. In this lesson we're going to look at techniques that mountaineers, arctic explorers, and other cold-weather professionals use to stay comfy and cozy at extreme temperatures.

• Principles of cold weather clothing + recommended clothing systems
• Frostbite and hypothermia prevention
• Shelter building principles: What they don't tell you in 99% of survival books
• Survival fires: Starting and maintaining a life-saving fire in wet, windy conditions

Week 7

The Explorer: Remote Wilderness Navigation

Getting lost is one of the primary causes of death in remote wilderness areas today. Year after year we hear stories of people getting lost(usually hunters) and then freezing to death or dying from dehydration as a result. In this lesson you'll learn how to end your dependence on electronic navigation devices and get back to doing it the old fashioned way: With a map and compass.

• Traveling off the beaten path: The basic skills of reading a map and compass
• Common navigation errors (and what to do if you get lost)
• Broken down at the worst possible time: Vehicle survival in extreme heat and cold
• Bear tracking and safety

Week 8

The Happy Camper: Roughin' It With a Smile

So many people today hate camping, and most of the time it's because they've had a handful of bad experiences where they were absolutely miserable in the outdoors. Whether it's biting insects, or wet, rainy weather, the outdoors can be a rough place if you aren't prepared. In this lesson we're going to look at how anyone can be comfortable in the outdoors with a little pre-trip planning and know-how.

• How to build a bug out bag or 'expedition ready kit'
• Car camping with style + equipment list
• Recommended survival gear that I’ve used over my 10 years of exploring mountains, deserts, forests, and swamps
• Don't get eaten: Bear tracking and safety

What if a Single Decision Taken Today Would Not Only Enhance Your Outdoor Experiences, But Potentially Safe Your Life?

✅ Know how to cheat death in the wilderness by preparing ahead of time and avoiding the most common mistakes

✅ Discover the ten most useful plants in bushcraft and emergency survival situations

✅ Find the best hunting locations for deer, elk, moose, and wild sheep based on reading animal tracks and sign

✅ Learn key strategies for living off the land by identifying and harvesting nutritious wild plants

✅ Pass down important skills to the next generation before they lose the ability to be self-reliant!

✅ Acquire fundamental navigation and orientation skills of reading a map and compass to ensure you know where you are at all times

✅  Find out what goes in and how to assemble a 'bug out bag' or 'expedition ready kit' for quick getaways

✅  Identify big predators in your camping area by confidently identifying the tracks of bears, lions, wolves, foxes, and coyotes

✅ Discover the tips, techniques, and equipment for processing and storing wild foods so you know exactly what to do after you harvest them. 

✅ Know how to select the most important survival gear for long expeditions exploring mountains, deserts, forests, and swamps

We're so sure that you'll love The Ultimate Outdoorsman that we're offering an outrageous guarantee: You have 14 days after the course starts to change your mind and ask for a refund. No hassle, no questions asked, no hard feelings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Lessons Be Recorded?

Yes, live lessons will be recorded, so even if you can't make to every class you will still be able to watch them any time!

Will This Course Work for my Son/Daughter?

The Ultimate Outdoorsman is homeschool-mom approved. It was made for adults, but will also work great as a high-school nature/science/outdoor course. Hands-on video tutorials will equip students to develop core skills in survival, wildlife tracking, and foraging. After watching the videos, they'll be begging you to take them out into the wilderness to explore!

How Long Will I Be Able To Access The Videos?

There is no time limit on the videos. Once you enroll in the course, videos, class recordings, and ebook are yours for life!