Is It Legal to Live In The Wilderness?

I am a former longtime boyscout and outdoor enthusiast so survival would be a challenge but very possible. I have become very upset with the direction society has taken and would like to live in a remote undisturbed wilderness location for 1-3 years to search for the answers of life that I can not answer in such a jaded society. Is there a place where this would legally be possible, thinking maybe east Texas.

Charlie's answer:
I am from NC and lived in the wild many years ago back in the early 80's. I made a crude shelter and only hunted small game an lots of fish. I did love being out there in nature. It takes some getting use to but once you get accustomed to it is fine and a wonderful life.

I only saw a few people while out there, one ranger and one native american. The ranger was pretty upset with me being there and fishing without a license but after a few moments of listening to me he said that he wished he was in my position and out there living without hardly any care. He warned me that the next ranger that found me would and probably run me off.

It was only a few days later that the Native American came by and spent a few days there with me. He told me to move my camp just a little further north and I would be on Indian land and that I could live there and not be bothered by the rangers because they had no jurisdiction there. He said that he and some others had been watching me and that I was living the life of the Native Americans and only taking what I needed to survive and was welcome to live as long as I wanted there. I moved and stayed for a long time out there. I had no tv, radio or anything but the wilderness and loved it there. I left because of some family problems that kept eating at me and came back to the old world. I am 61 now and think back on those years and wish that I was there again. I am not in good health now but thinking seriously about doing it again. There is no better way to leave this world than being out in the forest and away from all sounds of civilization. Go for it you will never regreat it my friend. God speed

Bruce's answer:
Just wanted to let you know that it is possible to live free and natural as you mentioned. I have done just that off and on for many years. National Forests, Wilderness areas one must except if you make your self known and in the open you will be asked to move after a certain time. However if you know what you are doing you can live with out leaving a trace. My latest adventure was living 6 years in the wilderness of Alaska, yes the Bush.

I took my family deep into the heart of Alaska. My kids flourished and so did I. My now ex-wife did not! She just could not adjust to the solitude as well as the long winters. Yes because of this we came back to civilization. I am now single and my kids are grown. Guess what I wish to do again! I do not know if I could afford to get backc to Alaska again. I do know that I will make my way back to the mountains someday. Alone or with someone special that is capable of wilderness living. Just wanted you to know do not give up. It can and is done by more people then you realize.

Steven L.'s answer:
For those of you who are serious about this here are a few tips. You're going to need some tools such as a double axe head (don't bring a handle and instead make one); chisels from 1/2 inch to 3 inch; bow saw; broad axe (not required but helpful); a good scribe and level; a good Peavy tool (log clamp); and a Peeler tool. You're ready to go! Depending on how you want to do your fireplace you can build a cobblestone fireplace for which you'd want to bring a couple bags of Quikrete or a wood burner. I prefer the Quikrete than lugging a heavy woodburner around.

A good gun is a must .45-.50 cal if you intend living where bear are. You can get a book on making your own black powder or you can stock up on a ton of preformed powder pellets. My suggestion is keep the gun for self defense and learn to make snares. You can snare anything from a small bird to a large bear if you do the research. Also here's a quick meal for those who aren't great with snare making. Buy several rat traps. They cost a few bucks at the hardware store. You can anchor these to a tree up high for squirrel or on the ground anchored via a heavy snare wire for other critters such as coons.

If you're serious on making it in the wild these are a few quick tips to get you started. Fishing gear such as line. I'd suggest buying if you don't know how to make your own from ligaments or tendons. Hooks are easy; have a good knife and make them out of bone. Or you can do things the old fashioned way and build your own fishery which you'd want away from your home site if in Alaska or the Appalachians as fish bring in bear.