How to stay calm in the woods!

[peter pepper]

Only thing that has ever "concerned" me alone in the bush was stumbling onto someone's grow op. I suddenly found myself on high alert then as I made my way out of there. I wasn't armed that day as season wasn't open until the next morning and I was out scouting. I just had a freaky feeling I was being watched but that was probably all in my head. I rarely go anywhere without a firearm with me. It's comforting to know I have a survival tool of that magnitude readily available.

If you feel someone/something is watching you, it probably is. The advise I read once was "stop look up, look down, look under and wait". Don't bend over until u have looked around for predators.
I carry a spot set on tracking mode, so they can find me if something happens.
TO the OP, we all get spooked some times. It's OK. Don't let it stop you. U are safer in the woods than driving down the road. U are a brave man just for posting what we all feel sometimes. The fearless are foolish. I almost always hunt alone. I get spooked sometimes, It's OK. Keep going, the rewards out way the risks.
As a teenager I used to sneak out of my window on big moon nights and stalk deer. No gun, no light, just a knife. No a smart thing to do here on Vancouver Island, but nothing bad ever happened. After awhile you just get comfortable. The only way to get to that comfortable state, is to get out there and do it.

 

[demonic2020]

The best way to build confidence is to get out even on short trips. If you are still unsure about going out alone invest in an emergency GPS device. Delorme, or Spot. I was once like you, but over time and many trips to the bush my confidence grew, I now prefer to be out by myself, even night trips re enjoyable. Just remember if you start to feel panicked slow down find a place to relax and take some deep breaths.

 

[Ganderite]

Most of my hunts have been solo. I enjoy the solitude and the sounds.

You are wise to recognize the dangers and to post about it.

Some little things I have learned:

Be prepared to spend the night in the bush. I once got turned around on what should have been a very short excursion, and then it got dark. I was on top of a hill, so decided to spend the night there, assuming that in the sunlight I would be able to figure out what had happened. A space blanket in the fanny pack is good. (My buddies drove up and down the road, honking the horn, so I was able to walk out.)

Be prepared to have a broken leg. Solution - let someone know where you are going - even if it is only a note (dated) on the dash of the truck. Have a signaling system. I carry some tracers to give a searcher a visual clue.

Look at the map, before you go into the bush, and know what direction leads directly back to the road. I pre-set this direction on my compass, before stepping into the woods. This can be the Plan B if the GPS fails.

If there is coverage, take your cell phone.

I once was able to get out after dark only because there was a very small maglite on my key chain. I had not deliberately carried a light. Now I do. I also carry a Bic lighter. On another occasion when i got caught after dark, the Bic gave enough light to allow me to keep hiking.

 

[carverk]

Like you I like hunting with a partner but I often hunt and work alone in the bush time is what you need short trips to start
I don't think it's your afraid but just a bit of buck fever Brought on By being alone in the bush just like all of use it will pass with time and experience