Wood Wise

[Polishrifleman]

As we return from the woods or continue our hunting ventures I wanted to see if there is a best practices manual for hunting safety and awareness that we could collectively put together. I don't mean carrying around a 60lb pack in the event you get lost for a week.

Example would be "Moss grows on the North side of a tree".

Facts, just the facts. They could be regional, or worldly.

Here is a link on using your watch as a compass from here at THR:

September 5th, 2007, 05:26 AM #10
U.S.SFC_RET
Senior Member



Join Date: 12-04-05
Location: The Old Line State
Posts: 1,111 Not to hijack this thread but to determine direction direction without a compass you can use the (analog watch method).
1.Point the hour hand at the sun with the watch being level
2. Between the hour hand and the 12 O clock position is the general direction of South.
I have taught thousands of soldiers this very skill throughout my military career.
__________________
1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
2. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
3. Keep the finger off the trigger and firearm on safe until ready to shoot.
4. Know the target and what's beyond it.

Have a whistle on you somewhere.

 

[macFarlaine]

You sound like you have the experience to start it.We have a guy in the UK called Ray Mears,he has a tv programme on these subjects.He is not one of these macho guys,but a chap who listens and learns.He travels the world,talking ,learning from different peoples,cultures,ie,Native Americans,Eskimo,major disastor survivors,serving and ex military.A good man and well worth watching or reading his books,all practical common sense stuff,that you might forget if you are in a sticky situation.

 

[CajunBass]

Always carry a deck of cards with you when you're in the woods. That way if you get lost, you can sit down, and deal a hand of solitaire. Before long someone will come along and tell you to play the red queen on the black king. You can then follow them out of the woods.

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

 

[macFarlaine]

Another budding writer,comedy this time....

 

[308win]

Follow water - down hill of course.

 

[wolfe28]

Step over logs that are in your path instead of on them. Less chance of falling, and you use a lot less energy when walking a long distance.
D

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Some things are so common that often people overlook them. If you're lost, and I mean REALLY lost, stay put and DON'T panic. It's much easier for people to find you if you are not trying to elude them or doing crazy things. A girl got lost out here a few months back up in the North Cascades. She was following a stream going up river instead of down. She was nearly completely dehydrated because she wouldn't drink the water for fear of getting sick. At this point, not dieing is a wee bit more important than getting sick. In the fall during hunting season, the sun rises in the general direction of SE, at midday it is at straight south and it sets in the general direction of SW. Always, always, always carry something that can easily start a fire. A small cigarette lighter can be your best friend in a bad situation. (Nearly saved my life one time, but that's another story) The base of almost any dense evergreen can make a nice dry shelter. Again, these seem to be very obvious, but a lot of people tend to not think too clearly when lost.

 

[308win]

Step over logs that are in your path instead of on them.

In the wrong (or right) region that could get you bitten by something really nasty.

 

[bullockcm]

308win, can you elaborate?

 

[308win]

Snakes will lay up under logs. I always step up on the log and poke around before I step down if I think there is a chance of finding something I would rather not find. If there is something there your poking around will hopefully cause it to move, rattle, or otherwise help you become aware of it.

Maybe it is just me but I really don't like to be around snakes of any kind.

 

[macFarlaine]

You have just lost your dinner for that,it has shot off into the undergrowth.

 

[Wheeler44]

A while back I posted about teaching 5th graders survival in the Pacific North West.

Rule #1 stay put. As mentioned before it is easier to find you if you stop moving around.
Rule #2 start a small and controlled fire. It will give you something to do while you await rescue, it will keep you warm and it will signal rescuers.
Rule#3 if you are lost in a party with others , stay together. Repeat, do not "split up" wait together, work together, huddle together for warmth.
Rule #4 assess your resources. You can use an old discarded beer can to boil water over the fire you started and a.) purify water. b.) make a tasty fir bough tea.
Rule #5 conserve energy by staying close and not wandering around.

Those are good rules for 5th graders they are great rules for adults.

Wheeler44

 

[Chawbaccer]

When trekking into an unfamiliar area, turn around and look back every so often so you will be familiar with the return trip.

 

[308win]

Also take the time to note landmarks (tall trees, cliffs, whatever) and their orientation to each other.

 

[wolfe28]

Quote:
Step over logs that are in your path instead of on them.
In the wrong (or right) region that could get you bitten by something really nasty.

Good point. I was making a generalization; growing up in Ohio and hiking mostly in areas north and east of there, snakes wern't much of a problem.

Always carry something that can make noise, lots of it. It is a lot easier to blow a whistle than it is to yell to get attention.

+1 on always having something to start a fire.
D