Whether you are out hunting, hiking, or exploring the wilds adventurously, you need to familiarize yourself with proven survival hacks that can save your life in dangerous or life-threatening moments.
Keep reading to learn about the top survival hacks while out in the wild.
Hack #1: Be Prepared
The first hack to help you and your team survive when hunting or exploring the wild is to be prepared. And, when it comes to being prepared, one of the most important things is to pack the most vital survival tools into your hunting kit. For instance, it’s important to bring a survival kit with you, whether it is a DIY survival kit or a purchased kit.
Also, you should ensure some essential items are packed in the kit. The list should include the following items: map/compass, wire-saw, pocket knife, water-proof matches/lighter, extra ammunition, flashlight/extra batteries, emergency blanket, rope/string, whistle, tube tent, emergency water/food, safety pins, water purification tablets, and more.
You also Need a Vision Enhancing Tool
Particularly for hunting survival purposes, an essential survival tool you should add to your hunting kit is night vision goggles. Equipping yourself with the right night vision enhancer is one of the smartest survival moves you can make. This tool comes in handy and helpful when you’re trying to track game you’ve just shot or when protecting yourself and your group, and also allows you to see better when it is dark. Also, having an innovative holster for your zoom optics rifle scope is a great way to achieve concealed carry while in the woods.
Hack #2: Locate a Body of Water
Another essential hunting survival hack is to locate a body of water such as pond, lake, stream, or river. Due to limited space and weight, you can only take a small quantity of water with you on an adventure in the woods. So, it is important to locate a body of water in case of an emergency. Such bodies of water are usually found near valleys or depressions in the earth.
If your hunting region is mountainous, you are likely to spot a river or stream when you take a walk parallel to a mountain. It may also be helpful to pitch your tent or shelter near the body of water you’ve just located. However, avoid erecting in the shade on the edge of the water, since it is likely that ferocious animals frequent there to drink or bathe.
Also, to avoid water-borne diseases, it’s important to sterilize the water you scoop from the pond, lake, or river. While it may be burdensome using the boiling method to purify the water, it can be a surefire way to kill germs or other contaminants in the water. However, you can also leverage handy and fast ways to purify your water while in the woods, like throwing the right number of water purifying tablets into the water you collected from a river or pond.
Hack #3: Bring and Engage a Hunting Knife or Multi-Tool
These days, some hunting knives are innovatively designed to feature other essential tools that can be helpful while in the woods. Knives are among the most important things you need for survival in the wild. If you doubt it, take a look at the myriad things a knife can help you achieve while away from modern conveniences;
- Shave wood for making tinder
- Prepare game or fish
- Cut rope, string, or cord
- Open food cans or drink cans in a blink of an eye
- Knives can also be helpful self-defense tools against dangerous animals or humans while in the wild
Innovative multi-tools are pocket-sized, folding devices that also feature a knife and other tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Such tools are among the popular choices for hunters and wilderness enthusiasts because they offer the advantage of many tools in a portable package.
Hack #4: Pack the First-Aid Kit
You can purchase a first-aid kit or bring a DIY first aid kit, either way, the important thing is to have a form of first aid when exploring the woods. It is also necessary for you to know the essentials that should be included in your first aid kit for wilderness/wild survival situations. Typical examples of such essentials include the following;
- Antibacterial ointment to help treat superficial wounds
- Adhesive bandages
- Roller gauze – this is helpful when you want to dress wounds such as deeper cuts
- Tweezers --- helpful for taking out debris or splinters from wounds
- A portable pair of scissors for cutting
- Medical tape – to secure the gauze
- Sterile swabs or cotton applicators --- use these to apply disinfectant or ointment to wounds
- Acetaminophen or other pain-killer tablets
- Medication for allergy, including supplies of prescription medication for emergency purposes
Hack #5: Find Emergency Source of Food
Food is one of the top essentials when it comes to hunting survival hacks that can save your life. If you use up the food you brought while on a hunting mission, the need for additional food may arise, especially if you have to stay longer than you intended. So, making a fast move to ensure your stomach is not empty can be a life-saving step in emergency scenarios.
Some emergency sources of food in the woods include the following;
- Nuts and edible barks- a typical example is an acorn, which can be found at the base of forest trees. You can quickly roast it on a fire and eat it as a good source of protein. In addition, the inner barks of certain trees such as firs, spruces, and pines are edible.
- Pine needles– these can be a good source of tea after steeping in hot water and you can get quality vitamin C from this source. However, pregnant women should stay away from pine needle tea, as it can harm unborn babies.
- Wild fruits– look for wild fruits to quench hunger if you have to linger in the bush.
- Insects- bugs such as crickets and grasshoppers are additional sources of food for wilderness enthusiasts and they are rich in protein.
Finally, make sure you learn how to make emergency fire --- e.g. using a bow drill while out hunting or hiking. All of these tips will make your time in the wilderness safer and more enjoyable.