Don't Be Stupid- like me......

[DRR324]

I'll try to make this short and to the point.....I spent Friday hunting pheasants with a good friend, and told him we needed to be done early so I could head to my state land spot and retrieve my lone wolf stand and sticks I had hidden- before someone found it strolling on saturday.  Well, one thing led to another and I didn't make it home until after dark.  Being of stupid mind and somewhat sound body- decided I would go get it in the dark.  The hike is about a 1/2 mile through a large (600 acres total) cedar swamp.  I had my gps- an old eagle explorer, which has been acting up by the way....needless to say- I left the truck with only the gps, one maglight and my cell phone, which doesn't have coverage in this area anyway...  I don't use my trail tacks- for fear I will lead others to my spot.  Long story- shortened version, after my gps begins to act up- I get ticked and start busting through and over the deadfalls, my maglight slips from my grip and dissapears in the water and mud....  now things are looking up!
Standing in this dank, h*hole of the swamp with a gps that blows, and no flashlight....I sense panic is knocking on the backdoor, but I don't answer it... I kept a listen out for the major road (just over 1/2 mile off) and kept the vehicle traffic sound to my right and began the trak out using my cell phone for light.  I made it out to a trail and had a 2 mile walk around the lake to my truck.  My "quick" 1/2 hour planned trip had turned into a 3 1/2 hour venture.
Moral is- DON'T EVER LEAVE THE TRUCK WITHOUT MY DAYPACK!  I have a candle, lighter, 3 flashlights, extra batteries, etc....  Looking back, it was just below 40 that night, I was soaked from sweat on top, and soaked to my crotch from the swamp excurions, it would have been a difficult evening to say the least.
Just wanted to post and let others know- Don't be stupid like me- plan for the worst, and expect things to not go as smooth as planned.....
I did retrieve the stand the next day- of course I had buried well enough in the blow down a few nights prior that it took me a few minutes to find it- no one would have found it....
Dave

[caleb7mm]

good story, same thing happened to me about 10 years ago and I spent the night. Ever since im accused of being over prepared all the time. rather be OVER prepared than under prepared.

O' and I bought a garmin 60 CSX

--c--

[DRR324]

Caleb- I am getting the 60cx in 2 weeks when I get my year end bonus...

[trapperDave]

reminds me of my coonhuntin days....in the middle of a woods with dogs on leash, dead lights....seeing the farmhouse light in the distance........only to find out a mile later it was the wrong farmhouse lol   those were the days  :D

[caleb7mm]

great choice DRR! I love mine, and wont go anywhere without it anymore.

[Tim Fishell]

Dave, glad to hear you made it out alright.  It has always amazed me how much different to woods looks at night.  Sounds like to did the main thing and didn't panic and kept a clear head.