Anybody who has ever hunted for elk understands how hard, frustrating, physically-demanding and even painful it could be. None the less, elk searching can be very addictive. An individual can quickly become obsessed to the point he or she is so concentrated on the search they might not realize how much they’ve gone, what time it’s, and not precisely certain where they’re. Here we will discuss these and other things that may come together to be damaging to your survival, and the gear you have to have on you constantly to ensure you survive your search.
Imagine this situation; You and your buddy are hunting elk in the Rocky Mountains. You contact the truck first evening after trekking all day taking your 30 daypacks. Wow! What a comfort to finally get that weight off the shoulders!
You’re in the truck going back to camp you see a little group of elk with just two bulls in the bunch. These elk are travel, so you have to move fast to reach a point 100 yards off to get a shot. You’ve got a knife in your pocket or in your own belt, and additional shells in your pocket. Oh! Catch the rangefinder, shooting sticks and binoculars. We are only going just there, this is all we need…
You get to the point just in time to see the last elk vanish into the woods. You notice the trees open up only a few hundred yards in the direction they are headed, and there is a small”spur” ridge extending off the one you are on that looks like a good spot to take from. You get there, they’re in range, but the trees are too thick to get a very clear shot or there’s a cow in the way. There’s an hour of daylight left, which means you continue following, just sure you finally will find a shot. As a matter of fact, you have no lighter or fire starter, no water, no food, and you’ve got on a lite hooded sweatshirt. No matter – that the truck is this manner. You walk and walk over rocks and sticks. Now it’s totally dark and you finally admit to yourself your not certain in which the truck is.
Elk have a means of mesmerizing a hunter, clouding his judgment and directing him astray. Much like the Sirens of sailor lore and the Pied Piper. It’s easy to find yourself in this situation. In cases like this, the seekers make it through a very long, cold, sleepless night and discover their way back into the truck the next morning, no worse for wear. This might easily have been a fatal error.
Survivor Kit Pack
Here’s what you can do to make sure you survive your next elk hunt; You have to have a small accessory pack of some sort, be it a waist/fanny, little shoulder or backpack. Many”module” type packs feature a tiny detachable package. This is a perfect system that makes it effortless to ensure you have your basic essentials for instant survival in 1 area. This pack must be small, or maybe you choose not to bring it. Bring it along no matter how short of space or length of time you intend to be from the truck or camera – your life may depend on it.
Essential survival gear and supplies this package should contain:
Cigar or cigarette lighter And also a calcium fire starting tool. Fire starting material or tender is good but discretionary.
LED Headlamp and also an additional set of batteries. It is also a great idea to carry a small torch such as a mini-mag in a belt sheath.
A bottle of water along with a filtering straw or capsule.
A 4’x6′, or bigger sheet of mid to heavy weight black vinyl. This is sometimes used to earn a lean-to or shield from rain, wind, or snow, or used as a”floor” cloth. It also works well to keep pine needles and dirt off the meat whilst boning an elk within the specialty.
A compass and/or GPS. A compass is better suited to this small pack, but should you pick a GPS, then be sure to pack a minimum of two extra sets of batteries.
An extremely small pocket-size first aid kit. Some of these can also contain a compass along with other tools.
Paracord – 10′ minimal. Paracord has numerous applications it is a must.
A couple granola bars or tiny bags of trail mix are recommended but not entirely needed. You may go days without food if you need to.
These will be used for toilet paper, cleaning bloody hands and arms, mediocre fire starting material, and wound dressing table. Paper towels will still perform if moist – like toilet paper.
Supplying you’ve dressed appropriately and had a knife in your pocket or on your belt since most hunters do, this can be all of the survival gear one needs to survive in relative comfort for short term.
There are lots of elk hunting scenarios that can lead to your demise if you are not prepared for them. If you have a small pack containing this brief list of essential survival gear products, you will be more likely to grab it in your haste to grab up to this bull, and also to possess it along almost guarantees you’ll endure a night or two under most conditions, whether you are forced to spend the night, or simply decide to so as to resume the search come daylight.
Pack smart, search smart, search hard. And above all, have fun and enjoy your precious time at the elk woods worry-free and convinced you’re prepared for surviving your experience pursuing the majestic and alluring”Ghost of the Woods”.
