The Backwoodsman Cookbook

By: The Backwoodsman

Published by AdventureKEEN, 2026-05-05

Learn about traditional and pioneer-style cooking with more than 100 timeless recipes from The Backwoodsman Magazine that utilize classic techniques.

As a young child, Charlie Richie Jr. used to watch his father cook and preserve wild game--and fall in love with the Old Ways of Living. In 1980, Charlie Sr. was inspired to create The Backwoodsman Magazine, with a mission to preserve and share timeless outdoor skills that will forever be relevant.

In The Backwoodsman Cookbook, Charlie Jr. collects more than 100 of the magazine's best backwoods-style recipes from the 1980s and 1990s, written by seasoned craftspeople. This is your go-to guide for mastering traditional cooking. Designed for hunters, campers, and self-reliant cooks--as well as history enthusiasts--it offers step-by-step instructions using simple, accessible ingredients and classic techniques suited for open-flame cooking, Dutch ovens, and off-grid kitchens.

More than just a collection of recipes, this book preserves the culinary heritage of American pioneers and Indigenous cultures. It covers everything from hearty wild-game dishes and rustic sourdough breads to preservation methods like jerky, pickling, and drying. Whether you're preparing a meal in the wilderness or at home, The Backwoodsman Cookbook teaches practical skills, while delivering historical insight and timeless flavor.

If you're an avid outdoorsperson who loves cooking over an open flame or wants to make the most of a successful hunt, this is an essential book. If you can't start a campfire without dreaming of chili bubbling in a Dutch oven, you'll love this rugged collection of traditional recipes and practical food-preparation techniques for both beginners and experienced backwoods cooks.

Inside you'll find: