Video Index

Frank's Digging Stick The digging stick that Frank shows is made out of wood (mahogany and yew wood are ideal) and has a bone (elk or deer antler) handle that can be removed and used as a soil picker.

Digging Camas The camas bulbs are usually situated about six inches under the soil. The smaller bulbs and the main bulb with the central tap root can be replanted to ensure furture harvests. The larger bulbs can be saved and eaten.

Firewood Frank talks about the surrounding landscape and the most likely "wood recruitment area." Driftwood and other downed wood is used for firewood. Hardwood or shrub material doesn't contain a lot of pitch or resin and won't impart a bad flavor.

Heating Rocks Hot rocks and soil are placed in the oven pit, while the outside layer of the camas bulbs are peeled and the skinned bulbs are washed.

Baking Camas The pit is filled with ferns, rose brambles and other vegetation, the camas and other prepared food is layed down and covered with another layer of vegetation. Burlap is placed over that and then is covered by dirt and and hot ash.