survival supplies

[duckhunt]

Hunting in Iowa im not to concerned about being lost or stranded over night or longer. Trying to plan western hunts ive had one thing weighing on my mind. What should I bring in my pack just in case I would get lost or stranded for any reason. Even with modern day communication devices rescue could be a couple days away. Is there a list of survival supplies that a hunter should always carry when in the mountains?

 

[Gunner46]

I never, never go out into the bush without at least a couple of my waterproof match tubes. They're home made, weigh nothing, and last forever. Also act as a slow burning tender to get the fire started.

I posted this a few years back, but I guess it's worth repeating. You'll need:

large wooden strike anywhere kitchen matches
a sheet of newspaper
wax, or paraffin
some kite string
a bit of tape

Tear the paper about 6" long and 1/2" wider than the matches.
Take two matches, lay them together with a head of a match at each end.
Lay a the match set centered on a sheet of paper.
Place a 8-9" length of string, along the paper, just below and perpendicular to the head of each match and extending 2-3" beyond one side of the paper.
Roll this into a tube and use a small piece of tape to hold together.
Use the string tab and dip in the melted wax. Pinch the ends tightly shut, and hang to dry.

When needed, just use the string tab to open one end of the tube to expose a match head.

When lit, the paper and wax will burn for a pretty good bit of time allowing you to get a good burn going.

 

[sagebrush]

GPS, headlamp and extra batteries. You will always be able to get back to camp even if its after midnight. Don't put yourself in a situation more than you can handle. Far better to hunt conservatively than need help that is two days away.

My usual hunting partner is my wife otherwise I am more than likely hunting solo. The only place we have hunted outside of the west is Alaska and we always hunt on our own. The gear you would need to survive for a couple of days is not worth the weight in a day pack.

As Gunner 46 said, something small to start a fire reliably is a good thing to carry if the temperatures will be below freezing. Nice to make a fire even during he day if you should catch a chill. I have only done that twice in 14 years.

I have come back to camp several times after midnight usually with meat on my back from an animal taken in the last hour of daylight.

The gear I carry in my day pack will get me through 24 hours if needed. I pack a couple sandwiches, trail mix, snack bars, an apple and 2 liters of water. A jacket heavy enough to deal with the coldest temperatures I'll encounter and a full set of rain gear. The equipment I need to deal with a down animal, two knives, a rag, some sanitary wipes, 3 sets of latex gloves, a cloth game bag, a bone saw and enough parachute cord to lash the load to my pack. Along with the GPS, headlamp and extra batteries, I also bring a camera, toilet paper, lip balm, license, tag, pen and extra ammo. I could get by for a full 24 hours with that gear if needs be. My day pack comes in at about 35 lbs and is all I want to lug around all day long.

I hunt close to camp when heavy snow or torrential rain is in the forecast. You aren't going to see much under those conditions anyway so why take the unnecessary risk?

Don't try to over think the survival aspect of your hunt. Hunt smart and enjoy it. People do it every year without incident. The only ones that get into trouble are the few that bite off more than they can chew.

 

[deer_shooter]

I generally have a mini bic lighter as well as a magnesium fire starter, some drier lint and a couple fuel cubes you can pick up at cabelas. I usually have a space blanket and several feet of 'chute cord too. A small first aid kit is always along - bandaids, gauze, tape, pain pills and tweezers.
Other stuff I always have in my day pack is a compass, spare batteries, a couple clif bars, a penknife and headlamp and a puffy jacket.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

I generally have a mini bic lighter as well as a magnesium fire starter, some drier lint and a couple fuel cubes you can pick up at cabelas. I usually have a space blanket and several feet of 'chute cord too. A small first aid kit is always along - bandaids, gauze, tape, pain pills and tweezers.
Other stuff I always have in my day pack is a compass, spare batteries, a couple clif bars, a penknife and headlamp and a puffy jacket.

Ditto this except I take a poncho instead of the puffy jacke.

 

[idnative1948]

+1 On VASG's comment, but dryer link soaked in wax.

Ditto this except I take a poncho instead of the puffy jacke.

 

[Corax]

Most of the above, plus a large, heavy (4 mil) contractor grade trash bag to act as an emergency shelter - cut a hole for your face in one corner of the bag.

 

[putm2sleep]

If ya get lost and it gets dark - stay put. Set up shop. In your pack there better be stuff to keep you dry and ok until morning. Everyone is different - if you are a STUD, ya don't need much, others have extensive lists.

 

[pabearhunter]

One of the best thing to have if you get lost is a good ATTITUDE.

 

[Outdoor Junkie]

SOL emergency Bivy. Reflects 90% of your heat back in and is wind and water proof. It's not going to make the ground softer, but it could save your life.

 

[TheJason]

Basic stuff. You need something to keep you dry, help you retain some heat, something to build a fire with, and something to purify water with.

If you're lost, take a deep breath, build a fire and construct an emergency shelter. Reassess when weather improves and/or it's daylight.

Edit: I always try to have a little extra food in my pack, and I also carry a few Hammer Gels in the event that I "bonk" and need a spike in blood glucose right now.

 

[.280 Remington]

I carry a SPOT, two sources of firestarter, a space blanket, saw, first aid kit, and some extra clothes.

 

[SFC B]

Most of the above, plus a large, heavy (4 mil) contractor grade trash bag to act as an emergency shelter - cut a hole for your face in one corner of the bag.

^^^ This x2. I had a hunter orange one that was very thick I got at an outdoor show in WA many years ago. I just used it this season as an emergency tarp when caring for some meat and need to replace it. Plus, for fires I carry both lighters and hot sparks w/ magnesium to shave as well. To catch the sparks I carry vaseline soaked cotton balls. They well that the spark and burn long enough to actually get the fire going. Duct tape, 550 cord, compass, a decent knife, water (iodine pills) and emergency (not lunch) food. Most important thing is to make sure you actually have it with you :hump:

 

[Deleted member 16014]

It really is different for everyone and every hunt. I put very little emphasis on fires, because I often hike and hunt above treeline or where firewood is otherwise sparse.

The only things I always have with me are:
-spare little headlamp (I consider the batteries inside to be my spares for other devices)
-electrical tape
-'light my fire' steel
-pain pills
-a piece of tyvek or ultralight bivy if solo
-PLB if solo

I put a lot of stock in being able to walk out of a situation. There isn't a major physical problem that most people can actually fix without carrying way too much stuff anyway. My primary concern is an un-usable lower limb, in which case it's a time game. Anyone is capable of making a mistake, but "staying found" is a priceless tool in the toolbox and weighs nothing.