Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum 3 things to carry

The lost hunter thread made me think of how many people I hunted with that were not ready to spend the night in the woods. At most clubs it's not an issue since you're not wondering around aimlessly and typically people know where you are hunting. Always let someone know where you'll be should be everyone's 1st rule. The 3 items I always carry are a head lamp, water, and something to start a fire, even in the rain. Fire is the biggie since it also acts as a signal to rescue personnel. A space blanket is also a good item to carry since it's so light.

when it comes to surviving in the "wilderness", fire = survival. plain and simple.

have something to start a fire (you can get those magnesium strikers cheap) and get proficient at starting one.

How do you start a fire in the rain when everything is wet?

Diesel fuel

Underwear

find the driest wood you can, then split it. the inside will be dry. you don't need an axe to split small rounds of wood. a 4-inch fixed blade is sufficient; baton it through your kindling rounds with another stick. also, carry tinder such as petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls and small pieces of fat wood. lots of great fire starting info/videos on bushcraftusa.com. fire steels do throw hefty speaks even when wet ...

Fire supplies (heat source and starter fuel)

Shelter materials (from simple space blanket, or nylon tarp/poncho up to bivy bag...just take something)

Water or filtration (life straws aren't great but they will do in a pinch, metal cup comes in handy too)

Cordage (paracord, twine, or vines )

Knife (sturdy enough to chop or dig)

If a person has these four things, survival for days is very possible in severe conditions or bad circumstances.

Pine sap, fat wood, crushed small tinder taken from tree not the ground...all excellent fuel sources in wet weather.

Getting a fire lit is one thing, keeping it going is another. Three parts - tinder, kindling, fuel. Tinder is easy. Lights very fast, immediate flame. But it also goes out just as fast, usually 5-10 seconds. Its purpose is to get the kindling going. If you don't have immediate kindling there then its over. Kindling needs to be a mix the size of large splinters, pencil size, finger size, and then up to wrist. Fuel is the big stuff. But you have to have a hot burning bed to get it going.

Tinder can be vaseline soaked cotton balls, steel wool, dryer lint, I've also used a 3" square of my T shirt. All you want is ignition. For tender I like splintered pine knot, cedar, or pine. Any wood lying on the ground is damp. Look for dead limbs hanging or somehow not in contact with the ground. Wet stuff is good later when you have a fire going. Fuel can be any dead fall.

Wind/breeze is a problem. So is wet ground so build a platform so tinder is not in ground contact. Make sure your body is between the fire and the wind. What works very well is a 12"x 12" sheet of heavy duty tin foil. It keeps tinder off the ground plus you can make a wind screen and it reflects heat that helps get it started.

As far as wet - pine cones dry out quickly and give a great bed of coals. Shag bark hickory really burns hot and the inner and bottom limbs of cedar trees do well. I always carry a small folding hand saw and pruners. Fire building is not as simple as most folks think and under bad situations can be very difficult. Got to practice to make sure you really can do it.

Good info, thanks.
I amazes me how difficult it can be to start a fire sometimes.

Space blanket, a very sharp fixed blade knife or 2, whittled slivers off a pine root/stump in film cannisters, 2 disposable lighters, 2 high quality flashlights with spare batteries, water and candy bars are always in my pack.

Drinking straw and Vasoline fire starter... Mash here
and a metal match just for the fire.

Pine knot. I always carry a piece in a zip lock bag with some tinder shavings.

I carry a pill bottle full of cotton balls saturated with Vaseline, a couple of Bic lighters, good knife and a candle. Usually a couple pieces of saturated cotton will get even wet shavings started. From there just continue to build small sticks or shavings to dry out bigger pieces.

A couple of space blankets can be tied together to make a tarp if you can't find a rock shelter. A continuous driving rain would be impossible to build a fire in.

I keep two headlamps[l.e.d],a good knife[one that I don't mind damaging if I have to],two disposable lighters,cord and two small cans of sterno in my pack at all times.Kept in one compartment for easy access.Everything else that I carry I consider necessity also but not as important as the aforementioned.

In the mtns get around the brow there should be overhangs that are dry and will have good fire starting material regardless of the weather

Not a survivalist but most what I keep in my pack was mentioned. I keep a little zip lock bag of Dryer lint to help start the fire.

These are cool and easy to come by http://thekeytosurvival.com/storetitles/usmilitarysurvgear/doanmagstarter.html

I usually carry some NEVER DULL in a zip lock as well. I also have waterproof matches and a lighter.

Auburn fan?? That's 5 items, haha