Chapter 5: Outdoor Safety
Survival Kit Items
Although Pennsylvania does not have the types of remote
terrain found in the western United States or Canada, hunters
and trappers should be prepared to spend the night in the
field. There have been occasions, either due to weather conditions
or becoming lost, when hunters and trappers have had to survive
the night in the forests of the state. Several items should
be taken when hunting or trapping in the more remote areas
of Pennsylvania.
Primary Items
- Shelter Material
- Can be as simple as a large trash bag.
- Fire Building Materials
- Tinderbox, waterproof matches, fuel (quick start).
- First-Aid Kit
- Include any medications needed.
- Flashlights
- Compass and Map, or GPS
- Water and Food
- Include purification tablets.
- Sharp Knives
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Signaling Devices
Should you find yourself in a
situation where you are lost or
unable to move, you will need
to signal for help. Your options
include three of any signal:
- Whistle
- Small Air Horn
- Signal Mirrors (a sequence of three flashes)
- Fires (a grouping of three)
- Care must be taken to control the fires.
- Create a thick smoke column during the day by using
wet leaves.
- Build large fires to create visible flames at night.
- Firearm
- Not recommended.
- If it is your only option, remember the five primary
rules of firearm safety.
- Cell phone or hand-held radios
- Cell phones may not work in some areas.
- Hand-held radios might be affected by the terrain
and distance.
- Voice
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