Found a lost hunter this weekend.

[Devil Diver Down]

Pretty scary deal and makes you wonder what some people are thinking:

 

Saturday evening about 6:30pm my oldest and I were sitting an area, listening for late bugles, where I had a lot of success locating elk during my archery hunt. We see light colored movement in the dark heading north (into a roadless area). It took a moment before I realized it was a kid in light colored pants, and I told my son he must be lost so I blew my cow call and flipped my headlamp on and off a couple times and got his attention.

 

Kid about 16, in a short-sleeved shirt and no jacket (or gps, headlamp, etc) about a mile from the nearest road and heading the wrong way. Tells us he got turned around (no kidding) and is trying to meet his family at a tank (a mile south of where we found him). I offered him my jacket but he didn't want it (lost people always feel warm, from my experience) and we walked him to the tank until his family showed up. The kid was pretty freaked out and explained to his dad what happened. The dad just said 'nice meeting you'. No 'thanks' or anything of the sort - not that we're looking for that, but if someone found my kid I'd be pretty appreciative.

 

Also, who sends their kid out in cold weather without a jacket, light, etc.? They were still missing 2 members of their party (who had light and apparently a gps) who we encountered on the way to my truck. After we pointed them in the direction of their party, someone of the lost boy's party started firing the boy's rifle into the air. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. I guess I have too high of expectations of people...

[AverageJoe]

Wow! Glad you were at the right place at the right time

[reganranch]

Man good thing you were there. That kid was probably 5 minutes from never being seen again.

[trophyhnter]

Wow! That kid was lucky you were there! Luckly they didnt have to learn the hunting/survival basics the hard way! No way in heck is my umteen year heading out alone!!!!!!

[lucky2hunt]

Scary!

[huntjunkie]

And that's why they spend ALOT of time on survival during hunter safety.

Thanks for helping him out. Obviously they had no clue!

[oz31p]

I'd rarely turn on my GPS when I'm deer hunting. because the lay of the land and my experience with the area would make it very difficult for me to lose my bearing.

 

put me out in the forest the first thing I do is turn my GPS on. something about pine scent must mess with my sense of direction because I will get turned around every time

[Pine Donkey]

A small backpack with GPS, radio, extra batteries, lighter, fuel tabs, water and light jacket does not weigh much. I am pretty sure it is less than the backpack he carries everyday at school. Some GPS functions get tricky to use, but the "mark" and "go to" features are pretty simple. Glad you were able to help him out. Karma will be smiling on you and your boy.

[Willyhunts2]

Scary being lost any time excpecially when you are not prepaired with the basics. Good job getting him back with his group.

[kazpilot25]

Some people just blow my mind. No "thanks" or anything? Come on, man!

[Red Rabbit]

This event leaves one shaking their head about people and preparedness. Fortunately, you recognized his situation as he walked past.

[naturegirl]

as far as getting lost, it does happen and happened to me once. my teenage son and me were hunting by ourselves. luckily someone very nice helped us (not a ted bundy thank goodness). since then i always carry a gps and extra battery pack.

 

I honestly can't believe the family's reaction. I'm guessing they did not realize the seriousness of it at all. they apparently are uneducated when it comes to the outdoors and manners.

[Coues Sniper]

A small backpack with GPS, radio, extra batteries, lighter, fuel tabs, water and light jacket does not weigh much. I am pretty sure it is less than the backpack he carries everyday at school.

I'd guess his school pack is pretty light -sounds like he ate his books...

[6ANut]

Thankless and clueless glad I wasnt born into that family of so called hunters.

[RHINO]

It is pretty easy to get turned around in the thick forest. I remember when I was a kid my dad and I got turned around chasing deer. We had no idea we were turned around till we ended up at a bluff over looking a huge canyon. At that moment we knew exactly where we were and it was a long ways from where we were supposed to be. With about 20 minutes left of light we had about several miles to go. We starting yelling help as we walked.

Since we were hours late getting to camp, my mom started driving in to look for us. She came upon a jeep leaving the area as she was going in. She asked them if she had seen a man and a youg boy. They responded by saying no but someone is yelling help back there. This is as they are leaving the area. I don't know about you but I don't care what kind of plans that I have or where I need to be, but if I hear someone yelling help in the woods Im sure in the heck not going to turn my back and go the other way.

 

You guys did a great job making sure that boy found his way.