I' ve only been hunting for two years (with a .308 semi) and my only two fears were getting completely lost and meeting up with a bear.

My first year, there was tons of scat all over. I climbed down a hill and was looking back up it to find my marking tape and when I did I turned around to a perfect three feet wide hole at the base of a tree leaning at about 45 degreees[].

Needless to say I was pointing my rifle right at it and scanning around nervously.

I wouldn' t want to run into a bear although with a .308 I have the upper hand.

Last year, not as much scat, but I did end up getting spun around twice (not completely lost though).

Good luck.