When you are stranded in the woods, basic survival dictates that you find food, water and shelter in order to survive. Finding food in the wild may not be easy, especially if you're not sure what to look for. Believe it or not, there is a wide variety of edible plants, berries and animals right at your fingertips. To learn how to find food in the woods, browse through the tips offered in the body of this page.

• No one plans to get stranded in the wilderness, but it does happen from time to time and those who have little knowledge of basic wilderness survival often go into a panic when they are unable to dig up the basic survival necessities, like food and water. Food is in abundance in the wilderness, you just need to know where to look.

• There are a number of different fruit bearing plants that produce edible nuts and berries. Before you venture out into the woods, familiarize yourself with some of these plants so you know what to look for. Some of the best berries to stick with are the same types of berries you might find at your local grocery store, for example:

1. Strawberries
2. Blueberries
3. Raspberries

• All of the above grow in the wild, but may be smaller than those you find in produce markets. Get to know your edible nuts as well. If you are unsure about a nut or berry's edibility, do not eat it. You don't want to risk poisoning yourself or making yourself sick. For more information, be sure to check out our page on How to Identify Edible Berries and Nuts.

• Many wildflowers and plants deemed as weeds are edible in some form or another. The leaves, flowerheads and roots of the dandelion are all edible, though somewhat bitter. A list of plants with edible parts include:

1. Milkweed
2. Watercress
3. Day lilies
4. Poke
5. Cattails

• You may be able to trap and kill small game animals like squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, mice, and groundhogs, to name a few, and roast them over an open fire. Use your head to concoct a simple trap using materials that can be found in the forest around you, like rocks, sticks, twigs, edible fruits and nuts to lure them in. You may need to watch the trap and pull a string to capture the animal.

• If there are running streams nearby, you may be able to fish for your supper, and even scare up some crayfish along the creek bed. You may have to get crafty to create your own fishing gear, using sticks, dental floss and even earrings to make your own pole.

• Even as you are stranded in the wilderness, there is an abundance of food right at your fingertips. From wild nuts and berries to edible weeds and flowers, nature herself will provide if you know where to look.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Edible Nuts and Berries
• Step 2: Edible Weeds and Flowers
• Step 3: Trapping Small Game Animals
• Step 4: Fishing for Food
• Conclusion