Thread: Solo hunting; managing risk

I mainly hunt alone in NI bush. Nothing too exciting, but I'm aware it doesn't take much to hurt yourself. Even a fall of a metre on to the wrong body part can cause serious injury. I don't take unnecessary risks. I'm also paranoid about navigation. Always know exactly where I am, yes with aid of electronics, but could get myself out if the electronics failed. PLB is a must.

Talking to your self is fine - even arguing is ok. Just as long as one of you wins the argument.

A head torch, gps, compass and plb seem to take care of most of my worries - that, and surviving the never ending cavalcade of stupid shit I did as a younger guy.

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

Yeah talking to yourself is ok as long as you don't answer yourself back as that is the sign of madness

its a worry when you still cant win argument and only a worry when cant get a word in edgeways.

my hunting changed the instant I became a Dad....the silly risks stopped fullstop right then and there...my dog still looks at me sideways about some of the places we go...only once did she stop and throw up..but we carried on anyway. if its that steep and shitty the deer wont be in there anyway so normally avoid crappy areas. rocky faces still give me the shits,rivers arent normally a problem where I go.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

my hunting changed the instant I became a Dad....the silly risks stopped fullstop right then and there...my dog still looks at me sideways about some of the places we go...only once did she stop and throw up..but we carried on anyway. if its that steep and shitty the deer wont be in there anyway so normally avoid crappy areas. rocky faces still give me the shits,rivers arent normally a problem where I go.

I hear you, having kids made me re-evaluate a lot of the calls I was making.

Ever since I started carrying a PLB and a Tourniquet (and learning how and when to use it), I've felt a lot more at ease out there. I like having redundancy with my gear when I can too.

Once upon a time the forest service decided (in the interest of safety) to put two cullers into a block instead of one....accident rate went up!!

So back to one man per block they went....

Seems we are more cautious when on our own



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Originally Posted by kukuwai

Once upon a time the forest service decided (in the interest of safety) to put two cullers into a block instead of one....accident rate went up!!

So back to one man per block they went....

Seems we are more cautious when on our own

I've been lost with a mate more times than solo. You both think the other guy knows where you are headed when in reality, neither has a clue. It doesn't have to be like that, but there's definitely some psychology involved.

Hunting alone can be a lot safer.

You've got no one to talk you into doing stupid things and you've got no one to talk into doing stupid things. You just don't take the same risks.

If you need time to rest to avoid old injuries and chronic pain flaring up you can just sit there and take as long as you need.

I say take a PLB and savour the freedom!

Without having read all the no doubt wise replies above, I’ll stick my neck out …

Yes I hunt a lot alone due to mates often not being committed to really go in the hills on the day and often go at last minute when things align.

Hunting alone is really like the old days before cell phones and PLB:

Dont fall
Be ready to turn back ( this means having enough fitness to retrace your steps or to go the long but safe way round . And trust yourself that you will turn back when it comes to the crunch)

There are many situations where your PLB or trip intentions note will not save you.

Sorry i forgot to mention the other major cause of death in the hills is rivers.
Judge Rivers carefully.

It’s decision making that gives you safety, not applying tech or SAR after youve stuffed up.
All mishaps are essentially optional. You trade off speed, ease of travel or chance of deer against safety every step you take.

Great thread post, I've quite enjoyed reading most of the comments. I too hunt solo the majority of time and am quite comfortable with my own decision*making and pushing into unfamiliar territory, providing I'm equipped to survive with the 3 basics covered - warmth, shellter & food.*We are also very fortunate to live in a time of luxuries*- lightweight gear, EPLBs/InReach, high powered LED head torches, and offline gps maps.* Be prepared, have a plan, and trust your gut and let someone know where you are going.

In comparison to feeling more comfortable with others - In my experience, so long as your hunting companion's ego is smaller than the emergency provisions in their backpack, you will have a sensible partner for assessing risk and making good decisions together.**

I think there is some key comments throughout this thread that I think are worth reposting.

mopheadrob - "I don't think the distance in should make a difference to how careful you are."

whanahuia - "You shouldn't be taking any bigger risks with companions than you do solo. The fall etc will still kill or hurt you just the same."

woods223 -*still rely on our own gut feeling, “if it looks too dodgy don’t take the risk”.

Safe hunting everyone!

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Sorry i forgot to mention the other major cause of death in the hills is rivers.
Judge Rivers carefully.

It’s decision making that gives you safety, not applying tech or SAR after youve stuffed up.
All mishaps are essentially optional. You trade off speed, ease of travel or chance of deer against safety every step you take.

Amen to that

I’m the same as a lot of you, I’ve always hunted by myself. Mostly because I can do what I like. Look over there because it looks right, head up there cause it’s the easiest way to get where I want to be. Stop where I like, walk as fast or slow as I want. I think it’s just damn nice to suit your self and nobody else for a few days, or an afternoon. As far as risk management goes I think it’s pretty much the same. If you fall off something the result is going to be largely the same if someone else is watching, and the reality is unless the person is well trained in trauma medicine they probably won’t be able to keep you alive if you need serious help. On the plb thing they are a great piece of mind it made me feel a lot safer when I got mine along time ago. I’ve done a fair bit of chamois hunting over the years because it been on the doorstep and you can feel rather alone up there but the thought of having a helicopter close is comforting. Be aware though you still need to be able to keep yourself alive though a cold shitty night because if conditions are bad it could still take help a lot longer than a hour flight to get to you. Ps you can talk to yourself as much as you like and it all good. It’s when you start hearing other people’s voices you need to worry.

Interesting to read how many people are saying they think the risk is higher with others vs solo. I too have felt that, in particular when taking unexperienced friends out I often feel a pressure to 'succeed' in getting a deer shot for them. On my own I'm happy to be out, to spend the time glassing country and recharging mentally. I would challenge though, that even if we feel safer on our own, the reality is a second person does actually make things safer.

Over the past couple years I've taken out people less, and if I take someone out who I don't enjoy hunting with I won't go again with them. The most recent person who asked to come for a hunt I said I wanted them show me on their fitness tracker that they had run a 5km in 30minutes or less. Yes the fitness is important, but I think if someone can show me that can listen to and follow through with a really simple request they have the motivation and humility to listen to my direction when on the hill.

OP, I smell an Army lad, with the frequent moves and language you've used. I too did my time in the green machine. What I would say about the Army and risk is that I reckon the majority of people paid it lip service. They would say all the right stuff and have their risk management plan but when pressed they hadn't even read it, or tested that it would work. Your PLB is useless if the battery is flat. Telling your Mrs where you're going to be is useless if you decide to go somewhere else. Having your medical kit is pointless if its back in your tent. I get the vibe you are taking it all quite seriously though.

Safe hunting and send me a PM if you get posted to BMC.