(A continuing description of the gear I carry for night hunting)
I believe that the foundation of hunting safety is planned procedures and thoughtful actions, not the acquisition of gear in hopes it will save your ass in the absence of the above.
That said...
When guiding, I usually equip the guest with a pack to strap onto their belt. This particular preparation is designed to mitigate (and remind them of) the unavoidable risks assumed when roaming armed at night in rough terrain with beasts of the field, and a multitude of unanticipated variables.
(There are a couple of buddies possessing sufficient field experience and knowledge of the property to be exempted).
The ubiquitous cell phone can be a powerful tool, and it should be fully leveraged, but not relied upon. The importance of this was confirmed about two years ago when a buddy’s communication went dark:
Man down! | Lone Star Boars
The original intent of this pack was a SHTF kit, but upon further reflection, I realized the value of preventing a moderately bad situation from escalating into a true emergency.
Think of those times in your field experience when the wheels came off (perhaps literally). In most cases, things probably did not turn horrifically bad in an instant, but rather steadily deteriorated in a chain of potentially avoidable events.
And being without assistance or resources can convert an inconvenient situation to a dangerous one.
In this sense, it’s actually more of an anti-isolation than an emergency kit.
Since virtually everyone has a smart phone now, the pregame check includes opening their maps feature (satellite view), adjusting the screen to show the location of our hunting area and taking a screenshot. We review the primary landmarks of the property to establish familiarity and ensure they know how to send a screenshot of their current location to me.
(The “share location” feature can also be used; it’s probably handy for multi-day trips but I haven’t needed it).
(If my guest only has a flip phone without these features, he’s probably an old-school knuckledragger that can manage for a few hours on his own).
Primary purpose of the pack is to maintain communications when separate. (We use electronic earmuffs when together). The Motorola radios
have varied uses in the field (der Teufel combines them with headphones in a particularly interesting fashion). In most instances, it is reserved for use when cell phone contact is lost.
The channel is preset on each radio. I’ve tested the selected channel on the property; didn’t hear traffic on it so it ~should~ remain clear for our use, and not unexpectedly blast during a stalk.
The guest radio is powered off; mine is on with the volume up. Rechargeable batteries, so I plug it in on the drive home.
The key strategy is to fix small issues early before they spiral:
If the cell phone battery dies, just charge it.
If the cell phone itself is down or you lose service, fire up the radio.
If the radio doesn’t work, use a whistle. If no response, use your horn.
If the airhorn fails, the traditional three shots into the ground. (RIP, bow hunters...).
The secondary function of the pack to establish location.
While guests are encouraged to avoid tracking solo into the brush, the protocol is straightforward:
Text me a location screenshot, leave a prominently visible glow stick at their entry point, mark their path with the reflective strands, and remove them on the way out. If lost or injured, stay put and contact me.
(The strobe on the headlamp may or may not be useful depending upon the terrain, but it’s there, along with extra batteries).
Glow sticks
Two-way radio
Headlamp with strobe feature
Tourniquet
Small first aid items
Reflective cord
Extra batteries (radio and headlamp)
Whistle
Air horn
Battery
Charging cable (micro & lightning)
Finally, there’s a card with critical info:
My phone phone #
(Sure, they have it on their cell phone…but if that goes out the radio can potentially be used to have someone call me directly).
Property address & gate lock combo
Property manager #
Local sheriff #
Game warden #
This may strike some as a bit excessive, but if the words “just” or “only” are used in the reason to not be prepared, consider this:
The most unexpected, whackass stuff you’ve ever experienced most likely happened when you were “just” doing something that appeared at the outset to be straightforward and uneventful.
My MOLLE Gear Belt: Night Tracking Pack | Lone Star Boars
My MOLLE Gear Belt: Medical Kit | Lone Star Boars
MOLLE Gear / Gun Belt Rig | Lone Star Boars
I believe that the foundation of hunting safety is planned procedures and thoughtful actions, not the acquisition of gear in hopes it will save your ass in the absence of the above.
That said...
When guiding, I usually equip the guest with a pack to strap onto their belt. This particular preparation is designed to mitigate (and remind them of) the unavoidable risks assumed when roaming armed at night in rough terrain with beasts of the field, and a multitude of unanticipated variables.
(There are a couple of buddies possessing sufficient field experience and knowledge of the property to be exempted).
The ubiquitous cell phone can be a powerful tool, and it should be fully leveraged, but not relied upon. The importance of this was confirmed about two years ago when a buddy’s communication went dark:
Man down! | Lone Star Boars
The original intent of this pack was a SHTF kit, but upon further reflection, I realized the value of preventing a moderately bad situation from escalating into a true emergency.
Think of those times in your field experience when the wheels came off (perhaps literally). In most cases, things probably did not turn horrifically bad in an instant, but rather steadily deteriorated in a chain of potentially avoidable events.
And being without assistance or resources can convert an inconvenient situation to a dangerous one.
In this sense, it’s actually more of an anti-isolation than an emergency kit.
Since virtually everyone has a smart phone now, the pregame check includes opening their maps feature (satellite view), adjusting the screen to show the location of our hunting area and taking a screenshot. We review the primary landmarks of the property to establish familiarity and ensure they know how to send a screenshot of their current location to me.
(The “share location” feature can also be used; it’s probably handy for multi-day trips but I haven’t needed it).
(If my guest only has a flip phone without these features, he’s probably an old-school knuckledragger that can manage for a few hours on his own).
Primary purpose of the pack is to maintain communications when separate. (We use electronic earmuffs when together). The Motorola radios
have varied uses in the field (der Teufel combines them with headphones in a particularly interesting fashion). In most instances, it is reserved for use when cell phone contact is lost.
The channel is preset on each radio. I’ve tested the selected channel on the property; didn’t hear traffic on it so it ~should~ remain clear for our use, and not unexpectedly blast during a stalk.
The guest radio is powered off; mine is on with the volume up. Rechargeable batteries, so I plug it in on the drive home.
The key strategy is to fix small issues early before they spiral:
If the cell phone battery dies, just charge it.
If the cell phone itself is down or you lose service, fire up the radio.
If the radio doesn’t work, use a whistle. If no response, use your horn.
If the airhorn fails, the traditional three shots into the ground. (RIP, bow hunters...).
The secondary function of the pack to establish location.
While guests are encouraged to avoid tracking solo into the brush, the protocol is straightforward:
Text me a location screenshot, leave a prominently visible glow stick at their entry point, mark their path with the reflective strands, and remove them on the way out. If lost or injured, stay put and contact me.
(The strobe on the headlamp may or may not be useful depending upon the terrain, but it’s there, along with extra batteries).
Glow sticks
Two-way radio
Headlamp with strobe feature
Tourniquet
Small first aid items
Reflective cord
Extra batteries (radio and headlamp)
Whistle
Air horn
Battery
Charging cable (micro & lightning)
Finally, there’s a card with critical info:
My phone phone #
(Sure, they have it on their cell phone…but if that goes out the radio can potentially be used to have someone call me directly).
Property address & gate lock combo
Property manager #
Local sheriff #
Game warden #
This may strike some as a bit excessive, but if the words “just” or “only” are used in the reason to not be prepared, consider this:
The most unexpected, whackass stuff you’ve ever experienced most likely happened when you were “just” doing something that appeared at the outset to be straightforward and uneventful.
My MOLLE Gear Belt: Night Tracking Pack | Lone Star Boars
My MOLLE Gear Belt: Medical Kit | Lone Star Boars
MOLLE Gear / Gun Belt Rig | Lone Star Boars
They require a special cable. 