Lost While Hunting

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49er1

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Ontario
So this weekend past I went out to do some camping and hunting and fishing with some buddies, I hadent been to this spot before and my buddies decided they would rather drink so I set out on my own. For the most part I followed a trail then found a spot and ventured off. This is where things got fun!

After a while I decided it was time to head back, only problem now was I didnt know which way the trail was as I had ventured off in several directions after leaving the trail. Me figuring I would only be out for a short period I left everything at our camp site, no flashlight, food, anything, just a knife and my rifle. So now Im lost so I start to head off in the direction I think the trail is, back down a hill as I had went up one on the way in. Before I know it Im at a marsh and Im still lost, now Im losing light. So I decide to fire off some destress shots (not that my buddies got up to do anything about them)

In the interest of time after about an hour and a half I found the trail and was able to get back to camp. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips that might help should I get lost in the future? Perhaps a good gps they like to carry?
 
I have two stage Webbing and don't go anywhere without it ( load bearing vest for civilians). It carries 2 liters of water and short rations for a day ( snacks for civilians). Ammo, knife, plastic sheet, compass, ect, ect, all for under eight pounds.

Stage two is an additional pack that attaches to the first pack. Holds more water, more food, extra clothing, and cold weather supplies.


The one time I was unable to make it back to camp because of a freak snow storm; made a lean-to lined with plastic, had warm soup, and dried fruit mix by the fire, while sipping on apricot brandy until it was light and the snow moved off ( can't recall where the brandy came from...)


Easy to pack, easy to grab, works for all occasions.
 
It's called a Bushnell Backtrack GPS compass. This is EXACTLY what you are looking for. They aren't $80 either...probably more like $40-$60. They come up on the EE every now and then but use Ebay if there isn't one on there. Basically it navigates you from point A to point B without the map that a GPS has. It lets you save a few GPS points on the system as well, like your truck or the camp or a stand. They work great and are ideal if you aren't that great in the bush and you are looking for the happy medium between compass and GPS.


49er1 said:
Anyone have any suggestions on where someone goes to obtain said item?
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lilsurfer said:
It's called a Bushnell Backtrack GPS compass. This is EXACTLY what you are looking for. They aren't $80 either...probably more like $40-$60. They come up on the EE every now and then but use Ebay if there isn't one on there. Basically it navigates you from point A to point B without the map that a GPS has. It lets you save a few GPS points on the system as well, like your truck or the camp or a stand. They work great and are ideal if you aren't that great in the bush and you are looking for the happy medium between compass and GPS.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, will make a great addition to my pack which I will be sure to take with me next time, lot of good it did me sitting at the camp.
 
Since compass and GPS were already mentioned, you mentioned that there was still sunlight for a couple hours. Do you know the sun/watch method?
Basically, if you are wearing an analogue watch (imagine you are if you don't have one :p), point the HOUR hand at the sun. Half way between 12 o'clock and the sun/hour hand is North/South line (1 o'clock for daylight savings). Here's a link to the watch method, as well as a few others.

h ttp://www.wikihow.com/Find-True-North-Without-a-Compass


My dad told me a great story that had really changed the way I look at being out in the bush. This particular one had been told to him by the janitor at his school. For brevity's sake, J is janitor, and JD is janitor's dad.

After a few hours of hunting...
JD - "Which way is the truck?"
J - "I don't know. I was following you."
JD - "What would happen if I had a heart attack now, and you were responsible for getting us out?"
J - "Uhh"
JD - getting angry now to prove a point
J - "Uhh, the truck is this way."
JD - "Great, now we're both dead. I'm dead from a heart attack, and you're dead because you're lost. The truck is that way" (Points in the completely opposite direction)

My dad tried the same thing on me, but it was as we were driving back from hunting around 1500h on some logging roads. I can confirm, the watch method WORKS! He was surprised!
I know that no one intentionally gets lost while hunting, and I'm sure it was a scary situation! It's great that you managed to get back OK.
 
iPhone.
Cache the map (in the default Google Maps app) while you have signal/3G by zooming right into the area you plan on going to and scroll all around the area. Do this in the "satellite" view. That way you can drop a pin at camp, so when you are lost you can find your way back. Even in the deep bush with no signal, the iPhone’s pulsating blue locator tells you exactly where you are, so it is easy to see where you need to go.
It’s not a true "GPS" but it has saved my a$$ many times while in the bush. And unlike GPS, you get a true Google Earth satellite image.
Try it!
 
And with the GPS, DON'T FORGET TO MARK WHERE YOUR TRUCK IS EVERY TIME YOU GO OUT!!!! You'll be quite the fool to get in the middle of nowhere, and be stuck with a GPS that only has your current position and not the base camp.
 
A GPS is only as good as the batteries that you have in it, and only for the duration of the battery charge. A good compass and flagging tape will kit butt to any GPS for years after the GPS is out of warranty and fails to work. Todays technology is only a temporary success to natures North pole. Nothing beats the simple knowledge of how to use a compass. Few people that have mastered a compass, ever have a need for GPS.
 
Always have a foolproof way to start a fire. Picture yourself soaking wet and trembling from hypothermia. Your hands feel numb and your fingers don't work so well. All the wood around you is wet. Now start a fire.

Also, as was previously mentioned, water.

Perhaps a toque, a flashlight, etc. If you want to go all out, then a bivy bag and ranger blanket, some way to wipe your butt if you need to go #2.

A map of the area, a compass and a gps can come in handy as well.
 
I've been mixed up in my directions a couple of times, but in an area that I was familiar with, so it was just a matter of finding a landmark that I knew, then convincing myself that "east was that way" or some such chore.:redface:

Google Jack London's "To Build a Fire". It is a sobering short story, for sure.
 
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