hey guys, i did my hunting course the other day, rocked it so now im off to get my licence and to start hunting with some buddies who have been doing it for a while. id like to put together a basic survival kit to throw into my bag, either gonna use a military 1 day bag or 3 day bag as it has the bracing and should be more comfortable to wear. likely the one day and ill just bring the essentials. i know of the 3 shot sos thing, but would it be wise to pack a flare gun in the kit? on the chance that we go deep in to the woods for a multi day trip and need to signal aircraft or someone if lost? i know the idea is not to get lost but #### happens and id rather be prepared. so does anyone use one? or have another method to suggest for signaling thats effective?
flare gun in the survival kit?
- Thread starter uchi
- Start date
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
not a bad idea... I've been thinking of having one in my truck emergency kit. The firing pistols are harder to find now...Crappy Tire used to carry them in the marine section, but maybe they're too 'dangerous' now.
In the mean time, I've bought a SPOT, as endorsed by Les Stroud...
In the mean time, I've bought a SPOT, as endorsed by Les Stroud...
A guy at our gun club tried firing flares from his 12 gauge a few years ago. The flare stuck in the end of the barrel. The last 4 or 5 inches of the barrel glowed cherry red.
Personally I would never fire a flare from a shotgun but it's your choice.
Personally I would never fire a flare from a shotgun but it's your choice.
It might be a handy thing to have, but plan ahead so that the people you are trying to signal aren't in woods so thick that they can't see the small flare you are firing several miles away. Also liaise with all the aircraft operators who might fly in the area where you might get lost to ensure they are looking out for your flares and know what you mean when you fire them.
Or get a GPS and a Spot satellite booster for your cellphone.
Or get a GPS and a Spot satellite booster for your cellphone.
The best thing to do is make sure people know when you're missing so they'll be looking. Especially for solo trips a SPOT makes some sense but without that. They really need to know when/where you're assumed lost/hurt to go look. Flares are decent for signaling aircraft but a small mirror is just as good or better IMO.
It has to be cylinder bore.
As long as the sun is out. A pen flare gun for night signal is a
Handy thing. Can't go wrong with having a mirror also.
Congradulations on passing the hunting course and welcome to the sport.
I very strongly suggest the immediate next course you take is on how to use a map and compass. A good orienteering course would do the trick.
Never mind the GPS bullsheet for now, you need to know how to use a good old map and compass as firm basic navigational knowledge. Purchase two very good quality compasses, one large one that is capable of fine sighting work, and one smaller one for general direction use. Also there will be lots of times you will not believe the compass. So you can get the other one out and see that the first one is indeed right and you are wrong.
Next take a wilderness survival course, nothing fancy as you will not be travelling with the SAS or Navy Seal teams, this will give you some good basic all round survival knowledge. The SAS as a point of interest has a wilderness survival book out.
These skills if kept up will keep you from getting lost to the point you will not need external help 99% of the time.
I did the above when I was 18. Have spent the last 42 yrs. in the bush and never spent a night in it that wasn't intentional. I have been turned around, and some place I did not want to be on many occasions, but good solid map and compass skills always got me out.
Leave the flare gun equipment to the folks on TV. as you probably just end up starting a bush fire, then getting a bill to put it out.
I very strongly suggest the immediate next course you take is on how to use a map and compass. A good orienteering course would do the trick.
Never mind the GPS bullsheet for now, you need to know how to use a good old map and compass as firm basic navigational knowledge. Purchase two very good quality compasses, one large one that is capable of fine sighting work, and one smaller one for general direction use. Also there will be lots of times you will not believe the compass. So you can get the other one out and see that the first one is indeed right and you are wrong.
Next take a wilderness survival course, nothing fancy as you will not be travelling with the SAS or Navy Seal teams, this will give you some good basic all round survival knowledge. The SAS as a point of interest has a wilderness survival book out.
These skills if kept up will keep you from getting lost to the point you will not need external help 99% of the time.
I did the above when I was 18. Have spent the last 42 yrs. in the bush and never spent a night in it that wasn't intentional. I have been turned around, and some place I did not want to be on many occasions, but good solid map and compass skills always got me out.
Leave the flare gun equipment to the folks on TV. as you probably just end up starting a bush fire, then getting a bill to put it out.
