Survival Skills For Beginners: What Every Hunter Should Know

There are basic skills needed for wilderness survival. They're incredibly important to have in your back pocket whenever you go into the outdoors. Here's what you should know.

Every year millions of Americans take to the wilderness. Some embark on epic adventures lasting days to weeks, while other folks just plan to head out for a day trip hiking, biking or swimming, or otherwise just enjoying the outdoors.

While the great outdoors is exciting and can be good for the soul, it is also a place where disaster can happen. Flooding, storms, and fire, to name a few, can cause disorientation. Hikers can take a fall or become disoriented, especially when hiking off the marked trails. Hunters can easily become confused or lost while pursuing their target. Or an angler can slip on a rock resulting in a medical emergency.

A responsible person heading out into the wilderness should take with them a few basic items to aid them in an emergency. I have attended multiple survival schools, both in the Military and civilian sectors, and I will say that while having the knowledge of making fire by friction, solar stills for water purification, and all these other crafts of survival with minimal to zero equipment, is great.

These are also perishable skills and skills that take time to master. Expecting someone, for example, to make a fire by friction with no prior practice or training, and under the pressure of an emergency, could prove to be a disastrous outcome. Therefore, I will discuss a few items that the everyday person can and should pack with them before heading out into the wilderness.

Making Water Safe to Drink

While it is convenient to grab and throw in your pack a handful of the disposable water bottles, a better option would be to transfer that water into a Nalgene-style water bottle or military-style canteen. Really anything that is durable and refillable would be best. By doing this, you give yourself the ability to forage for water from sources such as creeks, rivers or even lakes, in the event you find yourself in an emergency. Obviously, we do not want to drink unsafe water, so procuring water from a moving source would be best. Also, it would be wise to put some water purification tablets in your day pack which are readily available online or in almost any camping section of a large store. A small bottle of bleach with a dropper works well also. There can be allergic reactions for some people with each of these options, so please do some research prior to packing your equipment. Other things to consider acquiring would be a metal canteen cup designed for Nalgene style bottles or military canteens. This would allow you to boil water in order to purify it. Lastly there are personal water purification products that you can utilize to purify water as you drink it.

Starting a Fire

Fire not only provides warmth, a sense of security, and a way to cook food or purify water. It could, for instance, also give us a way to signal for help. Small disposable lighters are cheap. I keep multiple disposable lighters in my pack or pockets when I am out in the backcountry. Sure, a skilled person can make bow drills and hand drills to make a fire by friction. But for average Joe in the wilderness, it would be wise to bring some lighters. Rain and windproof matches are also a great option. You can even get fire starting aids from Amazon. There are also numerous online resources to explain how to make your own Firestarter or tinder.

Building a Shelter

Getting out of the rain, snow or wind is crucial in an emergency. There are many ways to make debris huts with sticks and leaves or snow caves in the winter. Making any shelter requires some practice and familiarity with the environment you will be in. Another great option is to pack a small tarpaulin - four by eight feet is a generous size to pack - or even a military style poncho. These items in conjunction with some small rope will allow you to make a basic shelter to keep the elements off you and aid in warmth retention. Looking around your area, you may also be able to find a small cave, rock outcropping, or even a downed tree. Yes, you can actually use them for shelter.

Navigation

When it comes to navigation skills, people can use the stars and the sun to navigate or make rudimentary compasses. But I would recommend putting a small compass in your pack. Even that small compass that attaches to zippers would make a great option for aiding you in an emergency. Maps are great too. A map, coupled with a military style lensatic compass and a little bit of practice, would get you traveling in the direction quickly and efficiently. Personal handheld global positioning systems (GPS) are a tool that I never go into the wilderness without. These do take some learning and practice, but they are easy to use and can be an lifesaver. The downside to GPS units and cell phones is that they are only good if you have battery life. I highly recommend not relying solely on cell phones for navigation, as they are also very susceptible to signal loss in the backcountry.

Protecting Yourself

It is recommended to carry a personal firearm into the wilderness. This can not only help with harvesting wild animals for food, but can aid you in the event of wild animal attacks. We are certainly not the top of the food chain when it comes to the wilderness. If you do not have (or do not carry) a firearm and you find yourself in an emergency, I would recommend fashioning even a basic spear by sharpening one end of a sturdy stick. I would never recommend attaching your knife to the end of a stick because in the event you lose the stick you will also lose your knife.

Signaling to Rescuers

There are many ways to signal for help. Drawing S.O.S on a beach or sand bar works well. Lighting multiple fires can draw attention to your position as well. I recommend buying some glow sticks from your military surplus store or online. Glow sticks work great at nighttime, but they only last for 8-12 hours. Signal mirrors can be packed and used to flash at aircraft or even ground searchers. And remember, bright colored clothing or panels of cloth are great, too. Anything that will contrast with the surroundings is what you would want to carry and wear.

Medical First Aid

Basic first aid kits can be bought at most stores or ordered online. I got mine on Amazon, and I'm always carrying it with me when I'm tracking out into the wilderness. The ability to clean wounds, splint broken bones and stop bleeding can prove lifesaving. There are many options for tourniquets and multi-purpose bandages that can be easily bought. They require minimal space in a pack or on yourself. A good course for people to take would be a wilderness first aid program. This will help arm you with the skills needed for treating injuries sustained in the wilderness with minimal store-bought supplies.

Foraging and Hunting for Food

That same firearm you may be carrying for personal protection can be used for harvesting animals for survival. Something else would be to carry a small amount of fishing line, hooks and lead weights - to allow you to fish for survival if needed. The forest is full of edible plants and insects as well. When it comes to foraging for plants and insects, you would want to acquire some books and do some studying in your preparations. Eating the wrong thing can prove to be detrimental to your health. Certainly, you can only pack so much, but packing some dehydrated foods, nuts and berries in your pack - strictly for an emergency! - would be a wise move.

Not Panicking

This is easier said than done. However, if you go into the wilderness prepared you will help avoid panicking. Being armed with some basic supplies such as what I have listed above is a great start. Also arming yourself with knowledge will help enable you to survive an emergency.

Miscellaneous Equipment

In addition to some of the items mentioned above, you should always have in your pack a fixed blade knife. You do not need a huge bowie-style knife. A 6-to-8-inch fixed blade knife can help with many of the tasks mentioned above. Some cordage/rope will help with shelter building and hanging signaling devices. Extra batteries are lightweight and can prove vital. A headlamp for working, signaling or moving at night is vital. While cell phones can prove unreliable in the backcountry, I do carry a small solar charger with me. This allows me to recharge my phone while I am outdoors. And remember, if you find yourself in a position to send a text message, it can give you enough power to send out your location.

Lastly, is tell someone your plan. I never go into the wilderness without telling someone where I will be and when they should be expecting to hear from me.

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Planning your next camping adventure? Read about the 10 most dangerous spiders in the American wild before you head out.