Backwoods Safety Tips and Survival Kits

Hunting season is underway, here's some tips to stay safe in Colorado's back country. . .

If you haven't taken a look at your 2012-2013 Big Game Hunting Guide from Colorado Parks and Wildlife you're missing out on some important reminders.

Some of the info they provide are basic reminders of stuff our moms tried to drill into us as we grew up, like the one that tops the list:

• Always tell someone where you're going and when you'll return (one of my friends learned this the hard way after he wrecked his motorcycle in the desert and laid out there with a broken back for a week in 110 degree weather, no one knew where he was.)

Remember this is a basic list of tips, suggestions and equipment.

• Always stick to your plan, stay put if you become lost or stranded (did you know a baby cow knows to go back to the last place it was nursed if it can't find it's mommy)
• Don't go alone (this ones easy, we learned it in kindergarten)
• You must have shelter each night
• The ability to build a fire is paramount
• Signaling must be prepared for so it's ready when you need it.
• You must have a way to find and purify drinking water
• Dress for weather, remember it can change suddenly and drastically

Basic Survival Kit

• Shelter Package
  1. 1 Gold & 1 Silver Emergency Space Blankets
  2. 1 Sheet of Plastic, 3 mil, 6' x 6'
  3. 50' Parachute Cord
  4. Electricians Tape, must be cold resistant
• Fire Package
  1. 2 Containers of matches, strike anywhere type, in waterproof containers
  2. Magnesium fire-starting tool or metal match
  3. Cotton balls impregnated with petroleum jelly
  4. 1 Candle
• Signal Package
  1. 1 Glass 'G.I' type signal mirror, an old Cd will work
  2. 1 Plastic whistle
  3. 1 Daylight fluorescent orange cloth signal panel, 3' x 3'
• Misc Supplies
  1. First Aid Kit
  2. Knife
  3. Rain Gear
  4. Hydration System
  5. Water Purification Tablets
  6. High energy, light weight snacks
  7. A fully charged cell phone

Be safe and return to your family!