Hunting a new area -- Survival Tips

[Bowwild]

I did a search and I didn't find a thread that dealt with this subject specifically. So..

Let's see if we can provide a thread that lists things you've learned about staying safe in the "wilderness". I think it would be ideal if the tips are ones you'd personally proven.

Tip: Keep that fanny or day pack on that contains your compass and emergency gear! I took mine off in 1985 (Kremmling, CO) and 2006 (north of Ft. Collins, CO). BOTH times I ended up "turned around" for an hour or so each time.

[lpcjon2]

Always try and get a map or areal photo of the area you are planning to hunt. And always leave a copy of your hunting plan(detailed with times and dates of the hunting area you plan to hunt) with someone who is not hunting with you(family) and one in your truck(just in case rescue finds the truck it will help them).

  Always have a small survival kit(foil blanket, string, waterproof matches,and extra medication) and keep it on your body(small change purse works). Do your homework!

[hawk22]

I always have fire starting gear and a compass on my person.  You never know when you might get separated from your pack.  I never want to spend the night in the woods unless I can start a fire.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

My compass goes around my neck and does not come off until I am home. Carry a space blanket and a couple cliff bars that are for emergency use only. others have mentioned fire starters already, but when the woods are wet try and find a dead pine tree where the needles have turned brown. In my opinion that is the best kindling in existence if you hunt the pine forests.

[Michael Pfander]

All of my extreme experiences in the mountains have been the result of rapidly changing weather.  Always have fire starter, Always have a rain shell that covers all of you. In my mind a poncho lets your legs get wet and doesn't make a good wind breaker.  Deciding when to take/make shelter and start a fire is probaly the most important descision when it gets bad.
MAP

[wtpops]

Originally posted by Bowwild:


Tip: Keep that fanny or day pack on that contains your compass and emergency gear! I took mine off in 1985 (Kremmling, CO) and 2006 (north of Ft. Collins, CO). BOTH times I ended up "turned around" for an hour or so each time.

Any time i drop my pack for any reason, my gps, knife and fire starter goes with me. The gps has gotten me back to my pack many times.

[Lost Arra]

A big heavy duty (4mil) plastic trash bag can be a life saver.
It doesn't take up much room in your pack and it can be used for many things from protecting meat to an emergency solo shelter.

If you are in the mountains, it also wouldn't hurt to carry a signal device (mirror, whistle) in case someone has to come look for you.

+1 on the hunt plan

[PaddyMac]

Ditto on map, compass, cell phone, and the usual essentials, including the trash bag/space blanket, AND telling folks where you are. And there are three things I carry in pockets on me in addition to what's in my packs: a Kershaw Onion, 20' or so of parachute cord and a Bic lighter. (I can build a Taj Mahal with those.)

Here in the northern Cascades, it's helpful to think in terms of creek drainages. You are either in one or you're on a ridge. I memorize the creeks and pay attention and check the map when I cross the ridges. That way I am less distressed when I don't know where I am.  

Also, if I walk very slowly, I've found I get less lost than when I walk fast.

But mainly, it's most important to practice getting lost so that when it happens you aren't freaked out by it. (That is serious. Panic is what kills people. Not knowing where you are just makes your hunting trips longer than you originally planned.)

And.. two more... creeks know how to find roads and it's also a good idea to hunt in an area where you are "trapped" by roads.

[adamgti]

Read a book and talk to people who have area specific experience and knowledge. Once your educated your less likely to doubt yourself when the ugly gets uglier.

Books by Tom brown and the les stroud are great. Personally I stay away from the antics of bear grylls

[Matt Fowler]

Don't like "space blankets". Carried one for I don't know how long till I decided to open it up. Was like potato chip bag, you couldn't tear it but a stick would poke right through. Then once it's ripped, forget it. I like a military poncho or heavy trash bag.

[Pete Darby]

All good suggestions. I also try to carry the ability to utilize the "survival gear" and that means that you have practiced under good conditions how to make a fire with your emergency fire starters. Made an emergency shelter and tried it out.  For example a small candle a poncho and a long boot lace can keep you toasty warm in very cold weather if you know how to utilize them.  If you don't then you can freeze with your legs hanging out the bottom of the poncho with an unlit candle in your hand.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Carry a SPOT.   Push the button and rescue comes.  Not all creeks lead to roads, or at least not to ones any where near you.  I use space blankets as waterproofing for shelters.  They are useless for body heat retention.  They also work great as a reflector at the back of you shelter.  Used properly you can achieve 70 degrees with a fire and the reflector on a very cold night.  Always have a knife, cord, two methods for starting a fire and water on your person.  Know the cardinal direction you need to travel to get out and always have a compass.  

Most important stop and sit down!  Eat a bit and just calm down!   Think through your steps to the last place where you knew where you were.   You can normally retrace your steps.  If not get out your map and compass and resect into prominent land marks.  Get your cardinal directions set and you should already know which way to go to get out.

A good hunter is never lost,  he always knows where north is and which continent  he is on.   The rest is just foot work.

[PaddyMac]

Matt, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever opened my space blanket.

Clay, our creeks are smarter than yours.      But you're right.

[caihlen]

AlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlwaysAlways carry the ten essentials.

Never deviate.

Ever.

Use your head.

Don't panic.

[Bowwild]

Excellent tips! I'm guessing a "Kershaw Onion" isn't for making bad breath to keep back the bear?

I've never included a big trash bag, I will next time.

Funny, both those "turned around" times I laid down the pack with all my stuff, I thought I'd be right back. Once I was headed down from camp to intercept some early elk. The other time I laid the pack down to carry an elk quarter to the parked truck which wasn't 200 yards away!

Both times were very embarrassing.

[Hummer3T]

TP - DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

always tell someone exactly where your planning to go (this should get them in the ball park).  space blanket, fire starter (striker), garbage bag, rhino grip, rope, paper and pencil, some fishing line, knife, 1 small hook and split shot.  (this all takes up no room and weighs nothing and some you use for nornal bow hunting activities.

[ChuckC]

Consider orange or other bright handles for knives and other important gear so if it drops or you lay it down, you can find it.  You don't need a camo knife that is hidden in a sheath or your pack anyway.

If you lay your pack down, consider tying some long orange ribbon above so you can actually find it again.  As above, develope a bare minimum kit of a few things,  compass, knife, fire starter, some cord that stays on your person, even if you drop your pack.

Lastly, learn to admit you have a possible problem, sit and think about it.  Accept you might just be spending the night.  Tomorrow will be better.

Where I hunt in Colorado,  MOST times, if I were able to curl up into a ball and roll down hill,.  from almost anywhere, I would end up in the main creek, which runs past both the camp and the truck.
ChuckC

[huntsmanlance]

Everything already posted!

The one thing i would add is....pretend you are in that situation and try your survival plan out in your back yard.......first in good weather and then when it is raining and or cold.

[L. E. Carroll]

Kind of makes me wonder how those Mountain men survived with only a knife, possibly a hatchet, and that old smoke pole...

No GPS, good maps or satellite to depend on,,and their only match was a flint and blanket was a hide of some sort..

Boy have we become technology dependent       :rolleyes:    
I guess I really do need that Badlands 2400 pack stuffed if I want to get more than a mile from the truck.        BTW, whats a Rhino Grip?  Guess I should not leave home without one of those too     ...

I'm surprised "Charmin" has not been mentioned. I do believe the bears now depend on it...

Seriously, I take a lighter and compass.. If going in a mile or so, a space blanket and along with that a small "back pocket size" first aid kit.

In the event I do grab my day pack? It may have some hard candy and trail mix, may find its way into the day pack. Not to mention that "Charmin" I mentioned above.

I have for years, always had a small signal mirror and a few feet of cord in there with [ more recently]one of Clay Walkers very light wt "Hawks" strapped to the outside of the Diablo Day Pack along with a bit of water in the hydro pack. Total weight not over 5-6 lbs.

 

Gene

[Ulysseys]

use a gps and look behind you when you're walking - create a reference from that.  I used a mountain to navigate out of colorado solo last fall