Hunting Solo Survival Tips?

I agree, let someone know where you are going. I worked in the bush for 32 years as a CO. In the early days the only one who knew my whereabouts was my wife. I'm retired and I still leave my wife a note were I will be, when I will be home and who to call if over due. That person is usually a friend who I trust.
 
CBP - most of the other posters have covered what I think is important when going solo. I did last Fall and really enjoyed. Most important to my mind is take it slow! Think about whether you need to go into that ravine etc. There is no rush and it is amazing to be hanging out in the bush alone. Provides a whole different perspective on the hunt.
 
Slamfire said:
I make sure to take my voodoo chicken bones to bring me luck and to keep me safe. :p

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whatever eats you will appreciate the extra flavor from it ;)
 
Always keep in mind you might actually shoot something big, and carrying it out alone is really not as much fun as it sounds. The farther you walk, the further back with a carcass on yer shoulder.
 
Pack some emergency food and water. Water purification tablets, a survival kit, several ways to start fires, a tarp or a small tube tent. Bring something to signal with. I use a topo map and compass, with a GPS unit as a backup. Tell people where you are going, and write it down on a map. Tell them when you expect to return. And when to call the cops. Things can go wrong fast. My father and his friend were on a canoe hunting trip and their canoe flipped in some unexpected rapids. They were in the bush for 2 weeks before they were found by a police chopper. The OPP and the CF were looking for them for 10 days. They were fending off curious bears at night with spears and torches.
 
9.3mauser said:
You're not going to starve to death over the course of a week. You might not like feeling hungry, but you could probably fast for a month even if you were super-fit. Everybody seems to overemphasize the need for food, when shelter and warmth should be your first priority, followed by water.
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The size I am I probably would be good for longer �� The point I was trying to make on having a good supply of food is it keeps up your strength and more importantly your moral. Food is way down the line after shelter and water, but still important.

Candocad.
 
Candocad said:
The size I am I probably would be good for longer �� The point I was trying to make on having a good supply of food is it keeps up your strength and more importantly your moral. Food is way down the line after shelter and water, but still important.

Candocad.
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On shelter, don't use the fly of your tent if you tarped over top. I did and ended up with a damp tent and sleeping bag as it was raining. Luckily the next day was sunny and I spent a couple hours drying everything out.

With respect to water, I brought a flat of bottled with me and used them for the first day getting to my spot and setting up camp. After that I had a supply of 8-10 empties with lids so I developed a routine of walking up to the creek with my Katadyne and would refill the empties every day.

As for food, I would pack differently next time. I ended up eating a lot more jerky, peanuts and freezedried than I should have and my body reacted accordingly. Nothing like taking an explosive #### at 3 am in the rain. Next time I will balance things out better. I had brought a loaf of bread, cheese, eggs some veggies and fruit. It was just that cooking a bigger meal got in the way of leaving early and by the time I got back, I wanted something quick. The exception to this was shooting a grouse late afternoon and making a feast. Now that was satisfying.
 
It took me about 3-4 seasons of hunting on the island + I camp out in the bush for precision rifle shooting out of season. I learnt the hard way on most items of equipment and technique.

I now have good tents (truck and packable), great sleeping mats / bags and bivvy covers. Cooking has gone from survival rations to semi-cordon bleu! (Pre-frozen meals and a good cold box). And I keep the truck very close indeed! Makes everything much easier, I even pack in the firewood!

As you know the island weather varies greatly, and with the truck I can pretty much handle everything there is to handle. If back packing in, well that is a different matter. There I am still hesitant if the weather looks to turn snowy.

Candocad.
 
Invest in good quality gear and clothing, test your equipment and know how to use it day or night in all weather conditions and have a detailed trip plan that at least 2 others know about. I've done extended back country solo trekking as long as 10 days with no issues so far but be prepared and minimize risk.
 
Some good technical advice...especially about food and it's affects at 3am.
I hunt solo most of the time.I like it that way;however,the most important part is your head...what's inside that is.Some people are fine on their own in the woods and feel comfortable, some people are not,and that can mess with your mind.
The real question to ask is can you be on your own and feel comfortable with yourself in the woods? Or will your mind start to act up and make you stir crazy.
If you have every been lost in the woods, you know what I am talking about.Some people can stay calm and figure things out, some people can't. If you are not the type of person that feels comfy on your own in the woods at night then you may want to not go solo.
Does not make you wrong,or right, or a better person- just that some folks are wired for it and some are not.
 
Use your skills to the best of your ability. Loved ones know exactly where you are and can call if your in trouble. You have sufficient supplies to last 50% beyond your planned trip. You have sufficient navigation skills, map and compass, possibly a GPS. You accept the darwinism you invoke. Go git 'er!
 
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