Packing for your hunt: basic survival kit

All hunters should carry the following items every time they head into the field — even if it’s just for a few hours. This kit should be separate from your other items and easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

• Two large garbage bags and at least 10 metres of rope to build a shelter.
• Fire-starting equipment:
  • waterproof matches, a magnesium fire starter or strike-anywhere matches sealed in a plastic bag
  • petroleum jelly inside cotton balls: they catch fire very effectively and are very useful for starting a fire if there is little dry wood to be found; keep cotton balls in a small ziplock bag.
• Signalling devices such as a plastic whistle or signalling mirror.
• Spare compass and map of the area.
• Bottled water.
• A small quantity of high-energy food (i.e. granola bar, trail mix, nuts, etc.).