Getting lost stories?

[elknut]

A little trick I used to show some friends that were afraid to go in the bush....At last light and a bull elk bugling..They said their gps wouldn't lock on to any satelites and they feared getting lost..The trick I showed them was to face toward the cutline or road they wanted to return to and then open their compass..Then turn the dial so the needle went into north ..Close the compass then go in after the elk..After hopefully shooting the elk open the compass and dont touch the dial ..Just turn your body till the needle turns to north in the compass ..The direction straight ahead is your way back to the road or cutline..You can ribbon your way then return with quad and lights and gear and retrieve the animal..That's 4 guys that aren't afraid of a evening hunt for elk anymore...Dennis.

[HarryToolips]

^^^very good idea, and/or one can just see the direction they'd have to take back to the truck..

[HarryToolips]

I don't get lost. I was a junior officer in the military so know how to use a compass. But anyway, I have an innate sense of direction... just ask my wife!

Lol ya I remember the night navigation training where we'd try to find our way around using a compass and a map and 1 red light flashlight in the dark for each patrol of 8 guys..good times..

[Salmon Belly]

Never been lost but I've had a river decide to move two valleys over once.

That's funny. I had an old fence line move to the wrong side of a known creek once. Turns out it's not safe to assume a fence you circle back to is the same one you left... Took me a while to figure it out but once I did I felt better. Only embarassing part was not realizing my hunting partner watched me quick-step it back to the rendezvous spot (didnt want to be late and get him worrying).

The urge to move quickly when you're turned around is so powerful -- have to stay calm and resist that as it not only leads to bad directinal decisions but also puts you at risk of falling/injuring yourself.

SB

[mpotzold]

Re: Innate sense of direction.

In the 60's surveying mining claims in the remote Yukon wilderness had 2 brothers( last name Acklack ) from Old Crow on my crew. The FN guys excelled at everything they did. They always found their way back regardless of terrain, distance or weather & were never confused. Always found the shortest way back. Didn't use a compass. We always said that they could walk out of the bush with their eyes closed.

Another time I got caught in a whiteout north of Germansen. I flagged my way into dense forest, swampy area for at least 3 km. The snow started falling & was so heavy & wet that it covered all the ribbon. So I couldn't backtrack. One could only see about 20 to 30 feet ahead. Again decided to walk a straight line & after an hour or so made it to the road. Sheer luck!
I wasn't ready for an overnight stay. The fresh moose signs were everywhere & with all the excitement lost track of distance/time.

Got our moose the next day in the same area.

Lesson learned. Always be prepared for 1 or 2 nights & have at least a couple space blankets along.

[Big Lew]

Re: Innate sense of direction.

In the 60's surveying mining claims in the remote Yukon wilderness had 2 brothers( last name Acklack ) from Old Crow on my crew. The FN guys excelled at everything they did. They always found their way back regardless of terrain, distance or weather & were never confused. Always found the shortest way back. Didn't use a compass. We always said that they could walk out of the bush with their eyes closed.

Another time I got caught in a whiteout north of Germansen. I flagged my way into dense forest, swampy area for at least 3 km. The snow started falling & was so heavy & wet that it covered all the ribbon. So I couldn't backtrack. One could only see about 20 to 30 feet ahead. Again decided to walk a straight line & after an hour or so made it to the road. Sheer luck!
I wasn't ready for an overnight stay. The fresh moose signs were everywhere & with all the excitement lost track of distance/time.

Got our moose the next day in the same area.

Lesson learned. Always be prepared for 1 or 2 nights & have at least a couple space blankets along.

That Germansen area and south to around Nations River can be deadly in a snow storm even if you step just
a few feet from the road if you're not careful. I can imagine anyone chasing after a moose would quickly be
in trouble.

[northof49]

Can't get lost....everyone keeps telling me where to go!!��

[LYKTOHUNT]

Your never lost if you dont care where you are, but seriously,hell ya I have been lost lots but always managed to get out before panic sets in for everyone else wondering where you are or what happened to you

[trapperRick]

Me never been lost but my Teepee has been lost!!

[walks with deer]

Um mosquitoes as thick as a cloI'd screed me up once swatting in a circle came out okay.
your day pack should be able to convert to a longer stay depending on location.