RE: Lost in the woods
The Dark will get you. Everything starts to look the same when the sun goes down. Your eyes start to really play tricks on you. If you are hunting a vast or remote area it is best to leave yourself a foolproof way out. Reflective tacks work good on the way in and out. If your light goes out your screwed. GPS works good until your battery goes dead. Shooting an azimuth with you compass works good as well. Knowing the terrain features (draws, spurs, ridges) helps. Its good to know as many different things about the area as possible. If you do happen to get lost, don't panic. It is hard not to. Once you realize you are truly lost, fear kicks in and scrambles any rational thoughts you might have. Sometimes it is best to sit down and let the adrenillan slow and calm down before moving any further. Think about things that could help get you back; a creek that runs toward your truck, land marks that are distinguishable (large boulders, old oak trees, dead fallen trees....). Sounds, lights, anything that could be helpful. If you still remain lost. Stop where you are and spend the night Don't keep walking all night, it could potentially get you good and lost. When the sun comes up it will usually reveal that you are surprisingly close to your trail or destination.