Pennsylvania Game News - August 2022 - 35

plowed, so I walked in the tire tracks
someone left behind.
Then a car came along, and I flagged
it down. Fortunately, it was another
hunter.
" Where are you parked? " he asked.
" By the Boy Scout Camp, " I replied.
He drove me there and waited until
I started my car and made it out of the
parking lot.
I was fortunate that night. I made it
home safely, but I learned many valuable
lessons.
First and foremost, I should have
never ventured out in that kind of
weather. And after I did, I should
have recognized the conditions were
far worse than I expected, and turned
around. I should have checked for cellphone
service - there was none. And,
last but not least, I should have been
more prepared.
VEERING OFF COURSE
Unfortunately, this wasn't the first
time I'd been lost. It also happened one
October during squirrel season.
As the experts will tell you, most
people get lost within 4 miles of where
they entered the woods.
I knew the area fairly well, because
my father and I often hunted for bushytails
there.
Dad loved to sit and wait for them to
appear. He worked hard and this was a
way for him to relax.
Being young at the time, I was anxious
to explore the area, and wound up
exploring more than I'd planned.
Spotting and stalking along, I saw a
squirrel run up a tree. When he didn't
reappear, I picked up a stick and threw
it on the other side of the tree.
The squirrel showed himself briefly,
but not long enough for me to get a shot.
AUGUST 2022
I walked around that tree at least 10
times, and never did get a shot.
I kept moving, and after a while,
suddenly realized it was getting dark
and I needed to head back to the car.
There were no trails, simply woods and
more woods.
Nearly two hours later, I found a
road, and began following it, then realized
I was close to 6 miles from my car.
And take it from me, it can be tough
hitching a ride when you're carrying a
shotgun.
Cars passed and seemed to keep
their distance. Finally, someone I knew
stopped.
" Dave, what are you doing? "
I admitted I was lost and he drove
me back to my vehicle.
TAKING PRECAUTIONS
My son was lost one time and followed
a stream out; something I taught
him to do. He was fortunate as was I.
The level of precaution you take
might depend on your age and physical
condition. But it's better if you never
travel alone, be sure you have enough
food and water and something to use
as a shelter if you do have to spend
the night.
Be sure to take medications with
you just in case and matches kept in a
waterproof container.
Always check for cell service and
weather conditions.
Take a whistle with you and use it if
you're injured, lost or begin having a
medical episode.
Finally, leave a note and map out
the direction you head, and always let
someone know where you're going and
how long you plan to stay.
Now if I can only take my own
advice - and I promise I will.
35
Pennsylvania Game News - August 2022

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