Books about all things outdoors - be they canoe guides by Kevin Callan, bushcraft skills by Mor Kochanski or Ray Mears, emergency medical guides, field guides for plants and animals - we have all your outdoor books needs.
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Books About the Outdoors
Products 41 - 73 of 73
Outdoors the Scandinavian Way - Using an Axe
$25.50
Spirit Animals - The Wisdom of Nature
$18.95
Wilderness Pleasures
$24.95
The Happy Camper The Essential Guide to Life Outdoors
$24.95
Compact Guide to Ontario Birds
$19.95
Weather of Ontario
$24.95
The Canoe
$29.95
Mors Kochanski - The Grand Syllabus
$18.95
Birds of Canada
$39.95
Spirit Animals
$9.99
Dufferin Hikes
$29.95
One Man's Wilderness
$42.00
Ray Goodwin: Canoeing - Second Edition
$41.50
The Explorer's Guide to Algonquin Park
$29.95
125 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario
$29.95
Edible & Medicinal Plants of The Rockies
$28.95
Observing Nature By Canoe & Kayak
$24.95
Birchbark Canoe - Living Among The Algonquin
$19.95
Wildlife Watcher Guide
$9.95
Temagami - A Wilderness Paradise
$24.95Sold Out
A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Cottage Country
Sold Out
Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft
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A Paddler's Guide To Weekend Wilderness Adventures in Southern Ontario
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Ontario Animal Tracks
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Plants of Southern Ontario
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A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Lost Canoe Routes
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Canadian Outdoor Survival Guide
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Hamilton and Area Hikes
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Waterfalls of Ontario
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Collingwood, the Blue Mountains & Beaver Valley Hikes
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Mushrooms of Western Canada
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Alberta Nature Guide
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Plants of Coastal British Columbia
About Books
Even in the age of computers and e-readers, there’s still something alluring about books. They can be taken anywhere, there's always room in a pack to throw one in, they don’t require any power, and they can be lifesavers when you’re stuck in your tent or under a tarp on stormy days. We’ve carefully selected our book lineup to be instructional, educational, and insightful, and to impart useful information, techniques and concepts to further your appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor skills and knowledge. Books on bushcraft, paddling, canoeing, guidebooks, smithing and field guides are amongst our best loved, and we hope that they will become favourite books of yours as well.
Types of Books
Books of Indigenous Knowledge
Canada's Indigenous Peoples have millennia of deep, accumulated knowledge and understanding of the natural world and the ways to best interact and commune with it that have been passed down through generations.
Books for Kids
Books are an excellent way to instil a sense of wonder and to teach children about the outdoors, and the flora and fauna that share this planet with us.
Kevin Callan Books
Kevin Callan's canoe guides are some of the best written, most informative guides for routes throughout the province of Ontario. He's penned over 15 books about canoeing and camping.
Mors Kochanski Books
Learn from the books of veteran wilderness survival instructor and the godfather of bushcraft, Mors Kochanski.
Lars Fält Books
Read books by Lars Fält, the elder statesman of Swedish bushcraft, outdoors and survival training, and learn Outdoors the Scandinavian Way.
Ray Mears Books
Ray Mears' books are impeccably written and laid out - definitive works in the art of bushcraft.
Ray Goodwin Books
Ray has paddled on 4 continents & was the first person to complete circumnavigation of Wales and an unsupported crossing of the Irish Sea. His book "Canoeing" details many facets and techniques for safe and effective canoe and water travel.
Blacksmithing Books
Books on the art of blacksmithing including forging projects and information on practices and techniques. A must read for anyone interested in forging and blacksmithing.
Canadian Canoe Guides
Going Canoeing in Canada? Need maps? How to books? Route suggestions? We've got canoe route books by Kevin Callan and others to get you out there.
Classic Outdoor Books
Some outdoor books are so well written, exhaustive and well loved, they truly are outdoor classics, and would do well on any outdoor person’s bookshelf - be they novice, or seasoned expert.
Canadian Field Guides
The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. carries field guides specific to Canada and Ontario. These field guides include: Mushrooms, Wild Edibles, Fish, Trees, Mammals, Wild Berries, Weather and more.
First Aid Guides
First aid emergency guides are invaluable for any outdoors person or activities - be they hikers, canoeists, campers or hunters.
Our Books
We stock only the best in Books so you can rest assured knowing you're COEC Equipped.
Outdoors the Scandinavian Way - Using an AxeLars Fält's guide for all things Axe: axe history, what you can use an axe for, how to safely use one, how to correctly sharpen an axe, how to replace an axe handle, how to care for it. Lars Fält has a long and storied history in the Swedish outdoor and survival community, and is responsible for the design of the Gransfors Bruk Outdoor Axe.
Spirit Animals - The Wisdom of NatureSpirit Animals - The Wisdom of Nature is a timeless book authored by award winning and acclaimed Aboriginal writer Wayne Arthurson. In this book he dives into the world of spirit animals to showcase the intrinsic link between the spirituality of Canada's Native peoples and how it was formed by observing the natural world around them.
Kevin Callan's Wilderness PleasuresDo you love camping except for “that one part” (portaging, bugs, bad weather, second-rate food, sleeping bags, rocks, uphill hikes, downhill tumbles, tippy canoes, or, let’s face it, life without a toilet)? With his trademark mix of comic tales and expertise, veteran guide Kevin Callan reveals the secrets to smooth paddling and pleasure-filled camping. Topics include choosing the right trip, camping companion harmony, best camping gadgets and clothing, sleeping softly on hard ground, traveling light but eating well, bush martinis, close encounters of the wildlife kind, skinny-dipping, and how to make love in a canoe.
Kevin Callan - The Happy Camper - The Essential Guide to Life OutdoorsThe Happy Camper is a comprehensive, heavily illustrated, highly entertaining compendium of basic wilderness instruction and well-tested campsite advice. One of North America's top canoeing and outdoors experts, Kevin Callan explains how to get the most from your camping experience -- no matter where you pitch your tent, what you forgot to pack or what the weather.
Compact Guide to Ontario BirdsOver 80 species of birds common to Ontario are featured in this easy-to-use introductory field guide. Colour illustrations and extensive natural history are featured in each two-page account.
Weather of OntarioHere in Ontario, the weather can range from mild and wet in the south, to hot and humid in Toronto, to heavy flurries and cold in the north. Join acclaimed Ontario meteorologist Phil ''The Forecaster'' Chadwick as he explores this ever-fascinating subject.
The CanoeThe Canoe is the definitive history of the construction and use of the canoe, kayak, dugout and umiak in North America. The book covers the canoe's origins among Native peoples, its quick adoption by European settlers, its development from a working vessel to a recreational craft.
Mors Kochanski - The Grand SyllabusMors Kochanski's new book The Grand Syllabus is an “all inclusive” syllabus of topics taught by Mors Kochanski at the University level, in his Extended Summer and Winter Courses, and in his Survival Instructor Trainee Program. Designed for the instructor or serious student, it is an excellent companion text to Mors' now classic "Bushcraft" for those looking to expand on their skill set.
Birds of CanadaA full colour, definitive guide book for the almost 500 bird species that call Canada home - ranging from warblers, to loons, to eagles to pelicans - all in one easier to use guide.
Spirit AnimalsOur Aboriginal Elders tell of a time when animals and humans could speak to each other. When humans became too greedy and killed more animals than they needed for food, the Creator changed that relationship to protect the animals. So the Creator made a Spirit Animal to represent each one and granted them gifts they could give to people.
Dufferin HikesSet north of Peel and Caledon Regions, north west of the city of Toronto, Dufferin Region offers excellent hiking opportunities in and around Orangeville, Shelburne, Mono, in the Hockley Valley, and at Mono Cliffs. Dufferin Hikes outlines 32 loop hikes ranging in length from 2.2 to 21 km long, with detailed maps, colour photos and local history and lore.
One Mans WildernessIn 1973 (long before YouTube and the current crop of imitators) Sam Keith wrote a tribute to Dick Proenneke using Dick's daily journals as source material. Proenneke was the original "back to the land" inspiration - he spent many years living on his own, forging his own path, and making his mark on the lands of Twin Lakes Alaska, and outdoor culture as a whole.
Ray Goodwin Canoeing- Second EditionRay Goodwin is known as the UK’s foremost canoe coach, and his book covers all aspects of the open canoe, from wilderness travel and design, with a focus on canoeing techniques. New to the second edition, is a section on vision pattern, a method of creating a map of a rapid. The second edition also dives deep into new solo rescue techniques, canoeing with children, and advanced lining and tracking.
The Explorer's Guide to Algonquin ParkA revised guide to more than 9065 square km of Algonquin Park, including access points, hiking trails, canoe routes, optimal wildlife viewing areas and times, historical points of interest, as well as stunning photography from the author who has spent decades exploring the park.
125 Nature Hot Spots in OntarioNewly revised, 125 Nature Hot Spots in Ontario has been organized by region, and features 15 new destinations to explore. The guide gives you an inside look to the amazing natural range that Ontario has to offer, from the warbler capital of North America, to soaring clifftops, the oldest rock on earth, and the province's tallest white pine.
Edible & Medicinal Plants of the RockiesThe Edible and Medical Plants of the Rockies depicts over 300 species of common trees, shrubs, flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens and information on locating, harvesting, processing these plants that have been used by people from ancient times to the present from this unique alpine environment. This guide is 272 pages with more than 700 full colour photographs and illustrations.
Observing Nature By Canoe & KayakRenowned naturalist and award-winning photographer Michael Runtz takes readers on a journey through the waterways of Northeastern North America in this portable, pick-up-and-read field guide, with more than 350 species of flora and fauna beautifully captured in full-colour photographs.
Birchbark Canoe - Living Among The AlgonquinIn Birchbark Canoe - Living Among The Algonquin, author David Gidmark chronicles the story of the building of a traditional birchbark canoe and his apprenticeship learning the skills, language and relationship to the land of the Algonquin of western Quebec. A fascinating story not only about building canoes, but also about how to see and relate to the wilderness as the Algonquin do.
Wildlife Watcher GuideA comprehensive guide for kids who are aspiring wildlife photographers, this book provides essential advice on how to track, observe and photograph wildlife in their natural habitat. Practical chapters are interspersed with question and answer spreads that give a glimpse into the adventures of real-life wildlife photographers.
Temagami - A Wilderness ParadiseCompiled by Hap Wilson, Temagami: A Wilderness Paradise (3rd Edition) features the best canoe, kayak and hiking routes in the wild Temagami region of Ontario.
Sold Out A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Cottage CountryAuthored by renowned canoeist and outdoorsman Kevin Callan, this updated (with additional routes, new maps and a new format) book features 20 of the best canoe routes in Ontario's Kawarthas, Haliburton, Muskoka, and Georgian Bay regions. Full of photos and original maps showing all access points, important river features, and accurate portage lengths.
Sold Out Ray Mears Essential BushcraftThis is the bible of bushcraft: Water, shelter, fire, cordage, food, outfits...it's all here. 240 pages of everything (or almost everything) you need to know about bushcraft.
Sold Out Kevin Callan's Weekend Wilderness Adventures in Southern OntarioAuthored by renowned canoeist and outdoorsman Kevin Callan, this book covers the Ontario region closest to the American border and just a couple hours drive from Toronto. Here are 20 perfect quick-getaway canoe routes for one-, two- and three-day paddles. All are easy on the portages, big on the rewards of nature and not too far from your own backyard. These routes offer a variety of experiences, from cushy trips for novice paddlers to more challenging excursions for experienced canoeists.
Sold Out Ontario Animal TracksOntario Animal Tracks will help you identify tracks of all shapes and sizes, from the Deer Mouse to the White-tailed Deer. This book is perfect for children, teachers, parents, backwoods explorers and naturalists.
Sold Out Plants of Southern OntarioSouthern Ontario features some of the most diverse ecologies in the country, and includes 760 species in 138 plant families; trees, shrubs and woody vines, wildflowers, aquatic plants, grasses, rushes and sedges, and ferns and fern allies.
Sold Out A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Lost Canoe RoutesLooking for less travelled, quieter canoe routes? A Paddler's Guide to Ontario's Lost Canoe Routes provides 15 little known, obscure trips that range from two to eight days, involve all types of water, and are suitable for canoeists of all skill levels.
Sold Out Canadian Outdoor Survival GuideWith so many more people accessing the great outdoors these days, books like Canadian Outdoor Survival Skills have become all the more relevant. Duane S. Radford has created an irreplaceable survival guide that covers a broad range of topics including: fire starting, general bushcraft, trapping, foraging, wilderness first aid, navigation, and shelter.
Sold Out Hamilton and Area HikesThe Hamilton area is home to over 100 waterfalls, and Hamilton and Area Hikes takes you to over 20 of them, and also includes loop hike routes in Stoney Creek, Dundas Valley, Paris, Grand River, Brantford, Cootes Paradise and Oshweken amongst others - with route lengths from 2.5 to 23.5 km in the Hamilton area and Brant County.
Sold Out Waterfalls of OntarioA guide to exploring Ontario's most beautiful waterfalls. With GPS coordinates, and accurate driving directions for each fall, this book will not only guide you there but dig deep into features with colour photographs, history, geography, and waterfall characteristics.
Sold Out Collingwood the Blue Mountains & Beaver Valley HikesCollingwood Hikes details 35 hiking loops in the Collingwood region of Southern Ontario including Blue Mountain & the Beaver Valley. Visit serene trails along Metcalfe Rock, Pinnacle Rock, Freedom Rock and Old Baldy to discover beautiful crevices, caves, and canyons.
Sold Out Mushrooms of Western CanadaThe Guide to Mushrooms of Western Canada is a very comprehensive field guide covering the western side of North America from Alaska to northern California, and Saskatchewan and Montana to the Pacific Coast. This excellent field guide Includes scientific descriptions along with full colour illustrations exploring 550 species.
Sold Out Alberta Nature Guide The Alberta Nature Guide covers the vast diversity of flora and fauna found in all corners of the province of Alberta. With colour illustrations, range map, and cross references of each species to help you to identify 411 species that call Alberta home.
Sold Out Plants of Coastal British ColumbiaThis easy-to-use field guide covers covers the entire stretch of the British Columbia coast. Includes 794 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, aquatic plants, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichens that stretch from shoreline to alpine regions.
