ready2hunt Report post Posted October 15, 2012 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. Getting turned around is never an enjoyable experience. Glad you and your father made it back. I don't know about you though but even if I was not looking for someone I would still stop and investigate if I heard someone yelling help!? Those guys in your story are idiots for not stopping and helping you both out. Good thing your situation was not more dire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted October 15, 2012 All it takes is one wrong ridge and you can be way off in minutes. My most frustrating lost time was in the middle of some stinkin cedars on a flat up in unit 4B. Going around in circles, when we saw the same group of antelope my son said, "Dad, are you lost?" We always pack a day pack with things that might come in handy if you get stuck out there over night. Being prepared for that stuff is critical and I have had to use mine more than once........ GPS can be a strange thing as well........walking the way the arrow is pointing can be decieving and cause lots of grief......walking the way the crow flies can be alot of up and down as opposed to rimming around........... All that stuff takes practice............you can't just see it on TV and expect it to happen out there........... Be safe..........two weeks away from putting it all in the pack and going looking for a buck..........yahoooooooooooo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntlines Report post Posted October 15, 2012 Scary is right, but stupid is as stupid does......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted October 16, 2012 Anybody can get turned around, even a very experienced hunter. One evening a friend and I were chasing bugles during the archery hunt. It was one of those magical evenings where the woods were crazy with bulls screaming in every direction. My friend shot a 6 point, about 20 minutes before dark. We waited a few, the started blood trailing it as a huge thunderstorm was moving in. Soon, it was dark, lots of lightning, we were soaked and the blood was washed away. We decided to go back to the truck and return in the morning. We knew we were about a mile from the road. After about half a mile of walking we came across a road, but it was red and cindered, our road was grey gravel. Luckily I had taken a good compass reading before leaving the truck (pre GPS days). We reestablished our bearings and hiked through the downpour back to our truck, now a mile and a half away. My point is this: anybody can get turned around, and the weather is never predictable. At a minimum everybody in the woods this time of year should have water, lighter, fuel tabs (I prefer a small can of stereo), gps, radio, extra batteries, light jacket, and an emergency poncho. Be prepared to take care of yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azshtr Report post Posted October 16, 2012 Memories for sure. My only real where am I moment was in 5bn. We were working fingers off of the rim. Time to head out and we though we had the right road / finger. We missed. Now the question was which way (also pre GPS)? The lessons learned were A) Aim off the bearing intentionally so you know which way to go when you hit the road, and I do not want a vehicle which blends in in the dark, give me a color I can see when tired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted October 16, 2012 I got turned around when I was about 12 chasing a bull there was snow everywhere and I had lost my way back to my dad. WOW was I scared our adrenaline is rushing so much you don't get cold. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scooter Report post Posted October 16, 2012 Been lost before- luckily it was back home in Western New York and you can't walk far enough in any single direction and not run into civilization of some sort. I just walked in a straight line (or so I thought) and ended up on a road, got picked up by a guy on a tractor hauling hay and he drove me back to where I started which turned out to be about 2 miles away! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Sounds like someone should have their parenting license permanently revoked. The kid is just an uneducated kid ... the dad is a first-class dipstick. Survival tools are key. Without them, you can easily become a statistic. God bless you for getting involved. The world needs more people with those moral values. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Devil Diver Down Report post Posted October 21, 2012 I'm glad we were able to help him and I think it was an eye opening experience for my son on preparation. He's pretty good about making sure all of his essentials are with him, but I don't expect him to ever leave his headlamp in camp again after this. Hopefully the kid we found - and the 'adults' responsible for him - learns a lot and is better prepared next time out. Except rare individuals, anyone who spends a significant amount of time in the woods - especially when chasing game - will get turned around at least once. I've done it and probably 99% of folks on here have. My beef wasn't with the kid - although he was certainly old enough to think for himself and bring at least a jacket to a place getting sub-freezing temps - but his dad and his uncle should know better. At minimum, the kid should have a pack with some essentials - light, something to build a fire with, proper clothes and water. Ideally, everyone would have either a GPS or a compass they know how to use with a map, but lost overnight is way better than frozen to death in the morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian27 Report post Posted October 21, 2012 IN 5BN on Andersons Mesa I alwasy seem to get turned around. the first time I went up there for a cow hunt my dad gave me his gps and told me to keep it with me, I used it too. you know your backwards when you dont really trust the gps and then find yourself back at camp before you know it.... Gps said go left but i was sure i was supposed to go right good thing i listened. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
