Survival

[DrMike]

Hodgeman is correct--when I'm hunting, I'm not fishing; when I'm fishing, I'm not hunting. I do sometimes carry a 12-gauge Camp Defender when fishing as comfort should a bear come overly close. I seldom carry a rod when hunting, however, as I've never been charged by a maddened grayling, rainbow or whitefish.

 

[truck driver]

Thanks for the comment April and if I were 30yrs younger I would love to live in the great white north.
Though I never hunt and fish at the same time it would have saved me some extra walking since I have hunted in the mourning and returned home to fetch my fishing rod after seeing Small Mouth Bass in a creek where I was hunting squirrels along it's bank.

Oh and no one mentioned any kind of food just in case you can't kill or catch something to eat.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'll often have a fly rod and at least some gear along, in the Jeep. During my 10-day trip earlier this fall, the conditions turned out to be poor for fishing, rivers were "blown out" from recent storms. The hunting however, was excellent!



I do enjoy the occasional "cast & blast" trip, when I actually plan to fish part of the day and hunt part of the day. It's not real hard for me to mix pheasant hunting with fly fishing.

My wife laughed so hard at me one morning when I came back early from hunting... And feverishly started exchanging hunting gear for fishing gear... I'd heard on the radio that the steelhead season on our local rivers had just opened unexpectedly. Turned out to be a GREAT day of fishing!

Guy

 

[Thankful Otter]

It comes as no surprise that all of you fellows are very well trained and more than capable of surviving in the wilderness under adverse conditions or an emergency situation.

That is funny Guy, your wife had a good laugh and you had a good day.

For the record I tried to get Dr Mike and his wife and Guy and his wife to accompany us an Yukon River canoe trip and they both declined, saying ( and I am paraphrasing ) " No way are we entrusting our lives to some young indian girl who will probably get us lost" I tried to explain that we would be on a river and that if we simply stayed on the river we would eventually find a town.

Hodgeman, is so right. Alaska, is beautiful, vast, and if you want to be in the wilderness, alone, the upper Yukon River is a good place to do so, and I am sure Hodgeman knows of many many other locations, that are people free

April, We always have fishing gear with us. The courses I spoke to you about was a requirement in order to be part of a search and rescue team. But our basic training starts from a very young age, as hunting, fishing, survival, clothes and tool making, is taught at an early age and to be honest it never stops, it is literally a part of our life.

 

[Guy Miner]

For the record I tried to get Dr Mike and his wife and Guy and his wife to accompany us an Yukon River canoe trip and they both declined, saying ( and I am paraphrasing ) " No way are we entrusting our lives to some young indian girl who will probably get us lost" I tried to explain that we would be on a river and that if we simply stayed on the river we would eventually find a town.

That's not quite how I remember it... But yes, that would have been a grand trip!

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Now, Cheyenne. My wife is convinced that roughing it consists of staying in a Motel 6. Are there any Motel 6 facilities along the Yukon River? Again, she said I could go if I wanted to go. I might not have a home to return to, but I was free to go. Don't know what that was all about? Oh the other hand, as feeble as I am in my dotage, I might not survive the trip to the Yukon River! Thus, I was compelled to decline your kind offer.

 

[salmonchaser]

In Oregon I don't Cary fishing tackle in my survival kit, however our deer hunting area has some great fishing and I usually spend some time at that.


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[salmonchaser]

I was reminded of a story from Bill and Scotty's elk area on Mt. Emily. It was about 1980 a Blue Mt. Blizzard rolled in. A pair of hunters were giving up, packed their kit and headed off the mountain. A couple of days later their truck was found, one door still open. Boots and warm gear, day packs etc. still inside. It was some time until the first body was found. Spring until the second was found.
The working theory was elk had crossed the road in front of them, our pair jumped out for a quick attempt to fill a tag and in the blinding snow were in trouble almost immediately.
It is believed neither had survived the night.


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[cloverleaf]

D@mn! one forgets that it can happen. Reminds me of a story about a fella who died next to his freshly shot elk. Apparently, during the gutting process his knife slipped. He cut his femoral artery and died on the spot. CL

 

[Blkram]

While I was never in the military or the Boy Scouts, many of my bush and survival skills were learned while being in the bush with family and friends. Part of everyday activity. Hunting, fishing, snaring, building shelter, making fire, water and first aid.

We were taught from an early age the basics that had to be in our packs at all times:
Fire starter and tinder
Flashlight and spare batteries
Knife or knives
Light rope or heavy string
Space blanket
Spare clothing, toque and gloves,
Larger first aid kitand small towel
High energy or protein snacks and water (or container to carry/heat water in; still have my grandpa's army canteen with cup in canvas cover)
Fishing line and hooks
Snare wire
First aid kit
Small saw or cable saw
Hatchet
TP
Compass (at least one in the group, although we were taught to navigate through learning the land/area in the event we did not have the compass, and had to demonstrate how to get out of area once in it, prior to going in)
Spare ammo for rifle

Today some of these items stay in my truck kit, but can go into my daypack quickly.
I do have other items in the truck for use while out for day trips, but will make an unexpected overnight stay comfortable;
Bow saw
Axe
Rope
Tarp
Backpacking stove and cooking cup
TP
Maps
Food and beverages
I do carry other fishing gear on days when we will be in areas where fishing is good for mid day breaks or if hunting is slow, but for most part do tend to focus moreon hunting or fishing when that is main purpose for day or trip over last many years. But always have a rifle when fishing, as the one day I did not have one was the day that we had an uncomfortable encounter, and while it turned out ok, I was prepared to defend my daughter and girlfriend's niece with my knife and leatherman from a young, determined black bear. Finally drove it off with rocks!

Also taught how to survive when not properly supplied or equipped; not as comfortable, but survivable

 

[hunternyny]

While I was never in the military or the Boy Scouts, many of my bush and survival skills were learned while being in the bush with family and friends. Part of everyday activity. Hunting, fishing, snaring, building shelter, making fire, water and first aid.

We were taught from an early age the basics that had to be in our packs at all times:
Fire starter and tinder
Flashlight and spare batteries
Knife or knives
Light rope or heavy string
Space blanket
Spare clothing, toque and gloves,
Larger first aid kitand small towel
High energy or protein snacks and water (or container to carry/heat water in; still have my grandpa's army canteen with cup in canvas cover)
Fishing line and hooks
Snare wire
First aid kit
Small saw or cable saw
Hatchet
TP
Compass (at least one in the group, although we were taught to navigate through learning the land/area in the event we did not have the compass, and had to demonstrate how to get out of area once in it, prior to going in)
Spare ammo for rifle

Today some of these items stay in my truck kit, but can go into my daypack quickly.
I do have other items in the truck for use while out for day trips, but will make an unexpected overnight stay comfortable;
Bow saw
Axe
Rope
Tarp
Backpacking stove and cooking cup
TP
Maps
Food and beverages
I do carry other fishing gear on days when we will be in areas where fishing is good for mid day breaks or if hunting is slow, but for most part do tend to focus moreon hunting or fishing when that is main purpose for day or trip over last many years. But always have a rifle when fishing, as the one day I did not have one was the day that we had an uncomfortable encounter, and while it turned out ok, I was prepared to defend my daughter and girlfriend's niece with my knife and leatherman from a young, determined black bear. Finally drove it off with rocks!

Also taught how to survive when not properly supplied or equipped; not as comfortable, but survivable

This is VERY impressive. I would not even think of or consider takeing most of this with me on a hunt here in the East. I think there is even a difference between those who live in the west and those who hunt in the extreme wilderness, like Dr Mike, Blkram, Hodgeman. If we had a camp away from our trailer or tent, here in the east, like your guy;s spike camps, we would still be able to see our main camp from our spike camp.

 

[Charlie-NY]

If you're left with no choice but to spend the night in the wilderness, there isn't much better than a good fire. I carry a hurricane proof lighter in my pack. Even damp kindling will light up with the tourch-like feature in the lighter. And unlike matches, it's nearly impossible to run out of lights.

 

[Blkram]

Hunter yay

What I forgot to mention, is that many of the items are contained in survival kits; a small one in my daypack, and a larger one in my truck kit.

It seems like a lot of items, but they really only take up about half of the space in my daypack, leaving room for binds, camera, rain gear and game bags.

The key lesson learned along the way;
Be prepared. Mental preparation is just as important as being physically prepared and equipped with the necessary tools.

 

[mcseal2]

Most of my knowledge comes from trial and error, plus extensive reading. I've always enjoyed reading and read a lot of hunting books and articles, plus everything Louis Lamour wrote. Lots of little tips to be picked up here and there throughout the reading. I grew up on and still work full time on a ranch and pretty much live outdoors so I have always had lots of opportunities for the trial and error part. I was always camping and catfishing on the creek, hunting the hills, riding horses, or otherwise outdoors. I never got to join scouts or had any formal training on survival. I wanted to try scouts as a kid but it interfered with 4-H and my parents weren't allowing that.

Somewhere along the way I started to figure out that being a little organized and prepared made sense and made life better. Realizing I had forgot to pack long pants on an early spring catfishing/camping trip in middle school was a turning point. I wore shorts during the day because we had to get out and drag the boat over riffles, but once the sun went down it cooled off quick. That was a long night, not life threatening but very uncomfortable. I started working from lists when packing for trips the next day, and it has been a good decision I've stuck with ever since. The guy I hunt with is very lax because he knows what all I take.

I have kits in all the vehicles. The diesel truck I use pulling trailers on the ranch is the one I take on hunting trips most of the time so it has tools, axe, folding bow saw, Hi Lift jack, break-over bar, 12V compressor and plug kit, all the normal stuff I use around home. I always have a spare serpentine belt in each vehicle and a socket to fit the idler pulley. I have a little backpack in the truck full time with some basic inexpensive gear, a couple days of food, and warm clothing in case it's needed. The truck has a 40 gallon auxillary tank we built on the bed that gravity feeds into the regular tank if I flip a valve, so I make sure everything is full and treated with anti-gel before we leave civilization even if the weather looks to be good.

On trips I have a waterproof duffle bag I fill with a weeks worth of Mountain House food, Kelly Kettle, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, Kifaru Megatarp with stakes, cook set, Leatherman, Sawyer 4L gravity water filter, 50 gallon drum liners, folding bow saw, 19" axe, 5 gallon collapsible water bladder, and Yeti 64oz water bottle . I take it in the truck or move it to the bed of the Polaris UTV when I leave the truck. I lock it in the cab of whatever we are driving when we leave to start hunting. If I get stranded or stuck for a few days or plans change and I don't make it to town I have some resources and can make a basic camp. This I consider emergency gear and separate from what I plan to use. If I'm hunting an area with a lot of beetle killed trees or anywhere else it makes sense I throw in a chainsaw in case I find my route blocked with a fallen tree. The UTV has a winch and I have a winch anchor for the ground and tree saver strap plus tire chains and a log chain in it. I've been in a position where being able to move a tree was the difference between an easy 2 mile drive out or spending the night and driving out the next day. Some of those trails I wouldn't tackle with the headlights. I always have a little 2 stroke oil and Heat under the seat of the UTV, and an extra 2.5 gallon gas can in the bed I can use in the Ranger or mix for the saw if needed. I keep a couple 5 gallon cans of gas on the truck's bed too. It seems like overkill sometimes. I might plan to sleep in town but I don't like to be limited in my options and HAVE to go to town much when I'm hunting. It often costs hours of time I could spend hunting or sleeping if I have to make a trip out of the mountains or hills.

In my pack I take a kit also with some items that have come in handy, and some that I hope never to need. I try to keep the weight and bulk pretty limited. I always have it though even if I'm going coyote calling a half mile from the house. The kit goes in whatever daypack I'm using or my waterproof river bag when taking the boat. I always have a knife on my belt, often a Leatherman also, so those aren't listed.

Basic Full-time daypack kit (1lb 7oz)
-stainless steel water bottle
-spare wool socks
-Adventure medical heatsheets bivy (the 3.8oz one)
-cheap mylar space blanket (mainly for a fire reflector)
-compass
-bandana (red for signal, pre-filter water, etc.)
-Mammut S-lite headlamp (1 AA lithium battery, 60hr life, 2oz) (this is part of the kit, and in addition to the second one I count as hunting gear)
-Smith’s pocket sharpener with whistle & firesteel built in
-fire kit: firesteel, lighter, vaseline coated cotton balls, 4 wetfire cubes
-50ft roll 2" duck tape
-small tube of superglue
-frontier water filter straw
-10 tablets potable aqua water purifier
-30yds 152lb bank line
-15yds 350lb bank line
-25ft bright yellow paracord
-blank CD (signalling)
-little ziplock with a dozen 45lb 18” cable fishing leaders modified into snares & 30ft 25lb fishing line, 20ft 10lb fishing line, 12 hooks, repair needle, weighs 1.2oz total)

Medical: (stop bleeding, make splints)
-quick clot sponge
-1 roll hot pink vetwrap (bandaging with duck tape, marking trail, etc. Buy/add fresh roll each fall)
-small tube neosporin
-4 3"x3" gauze pads
-rubber glove
-6 pills immodium
-2 pills claritin
-1 tube sunscreen
-1 tub Carmex lip balm
-4 safety pins
-1 antiseptic towlette

Additional gear for higher probability of overnight trip, bad weather (5lbs 10oz total)
-Kifaru paratarp with 10 1/2oz aluminum stakes (18.4oz total)
-Snow peak titanium mug and lid (12.9oz total) with:
-esbit stove (4 fuel tabs)
-2 oatmeal packets
-6 tea bags
-cut down spork
-1ftx2ft Heavy Duty aluminum foil folded down
- Bic lighter

-one 2 serving mountain house meal (chicken breast w/mashed potato is my favorite)
-Hill Country gear Mountain Serape (insulated poncho/sleeping bag)
-Military waterproof poncho (groundsheet)

 

[preacher]

Being an only child, I roamed the marshes/piney woods/big thickets of SE Texas woods alone almost always, since I was 10. My Dad, Boy Scouts, Military all helped, were very good training and enjoyable. I have almost always hunted by myself ever since. Horseback, on foot, vehicle, when I got ready to go, I went. Sure, its lonely and having friends in camp is always a treat, but not always feasible for me. I have never used a GPS, I just have always used a map & compass. I do take two compasses as one "will lie to you", ha. I hedge my bet when hunting the mountains alone...I will pick a drainage to stay in or between a series a of ridges. I hunt fairly close to the vehicle, seldom more than a mile. I hunt slow, really watch my footing and just enjoy myself. I carry the minimum when hunting too, but will always have fire starter, water, emergency blanket, etc. The Military made me hate a pack. If I use one at all it is just a daypack. I don't even use a pack frame to haul out game. If I can't drag it myself, and if I can't go get help, I'll mark my trail with tiny bits of survey ribbon, go to vehicle and get a plastic game sled and drag quarters or chunks back. If snow on the ground, even better. I even have a set up where you bone out the meat, put it in a GI duffel bag and drag it out with a harness. Now I'm older, bolted together in more places, I really like late season antlerless hunts on ranches. Out here they are called Cooperative Wildlife Management Areas ( means landowners tags, ha) I can get a ranch hand to help me get my game out for just a small amount of money ( as a tip). Its not the hairy adventures of my youth...but Time comes for us all and I refuse to quit,