Make sure this hunting season that you have the means to spend an unexpected night out and communicate in an emergency

[mtwarden]

The tragedy with the recent two young hunters in Colorado should reinforce the credo, be prepared. I've had to spend two unexpected nights out (once as a warden, once hunting), both sucked badly, but not badly enough I was harmed.

My day hunting pack is not overly light and gets less light as the season progresses and it gets colder. I might be carrying it to a little on the extreme end, but again spending an unexpected night out sucks. I always have adequate rain gear, always adequate insulating layers (adjusted by season/weather), I carry a small tarp/stakes and have an insulated pad (spend a lot of time on the pad glassing, but definitely handy for an emergency). My fire kit is robust and redundant. I also carry a very light sleeping bag that is synthetic and can be worn "poncho" style—it's only rated to 50 degrees and have no plans to crawl in it and have a relaxing night out. What I would do is layer over all of my other clothing for just one more insulating layer; which I have found to be very handy when glassing in very cold conditions.

My inReach (and a small portable charger) in addition to my cell phone which now has satellite capability (albeit not as good as the inReach) are nonnegotiable—they go with me always and even w/o an emergency have been super handy. Letting my wife know I'm going to be late, splitting up w/ a buddy and having the ability to communicate, getting stuck in your vehicle w/o cell phone coverage and occasionally a message to my buddies to come help me pack an elk out

Everyone's hunting is going to be different, different weather, different topography, how far back in, etc, but regardless give some thought about what if I have to spend a night out or have an emergency.

Be safe this Fall!

 

[JeffG]

Good advice.

 

[Tradclimb1]

Agreed very good advice. Living in Casper Wyoming through several winters taught me this lesson a long time ago. I have been stranded overnight before and also being an over the road truck driver for years and staying in the sleeper many times has made me somewhat of a pro of the little things that can even make it enjoyable sometimes. Long before cell phones were even a thing. Good advice for rookies as well as experienced outdoorsmen.

 

[Empty Quiver]

Excellent reminder. I’ve recently put effort into getting all my devices running on rechargeable lithium batteries. I carry a too large battery that can recharge everything 2X, cold zaps electronics as well as batteries. I’d avoided that in the past, finally realizing that a battery is a battery is a battery.

 

[fishiker]

Thanks @mtwarden !
The older I get, the less I like to carry in my pack. I still have a UL tarp, spare light, extra batteries, dry socks, protein bar, and multiple means of starting a fire. I've been blessed to have never been lost over decades of hunting.......but there have been a few times when I wasn't where I thought I was

 

[Empty Quiver]

“Not where I thought I was” ain’t that the damned truth.

Recently spent about 1/2 hour 100 yds from camp because I didn’t realize there was a hill between us. I just knew I’d see the glow of the lanterns as I got near, I’d done it a couple dozen times. I’d gotten off the trail to avoid several blown down trees, which put me behind the small hill. After making a wide arc I basically looked behind me and saw that light. Not where I thought I was.