Thread: Tips for beginners on not to get lost in the woods?

Firstly I would like to apoligise if this has already been covered.

I am keen to start hunting goats and pigs and would probably start with single day trips near Auckland. I have read a good amount of information regarding advise for beginners but still have some questions I am concerned with.

The biggest worry I have is getting lost, I assume Phone GPS won't be any good so how would I know which way to go back after 4-5 hours of walking/hiking in random directions and with multiple random turns?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks
Alex

It's folley to rely solely on electronic means for navigation.

I'd strongly suggest learning how to read a map and use a compass. That's the bread and butter of finding where things are.

Originally Posted by Ryan

It's folley to rely solely on electronic means for navigation.

I'd strongly suggest learning how to read a map and use a compass. That's the bread and butter of finding where things are.

It,s 2018 He,d probably have to pop into the rsa & shout a few beers to learn that stuff now ! crazy I no but how many young fellas even carry a compass let alone no how to use one , I always found studying maps the best way mostly in mountainous country its pretty easy not to get lost , pic a water catchment & stick to it , its been repeated before but cell phone gps app,s seem popular I took a young fella out last year he showed me his , luckily I only took him to a shit spot iv now got the same (more of a plan b) but stuffed if I can work them properly , iv got 2.. Topo GPS & NZ Topo Map & neither of them are very good not sure if its where the satellites are during the day or what but they seem to have pretty limited use down here , iv got a garmin 64 it works fine but sucks to use doesn't take long to flatten the battery's either if I where to pick another gps it would be the alpha100 the one you use for tracking dogs its awesome touch screen no silly buttons & basic , mark your truck , drop pins & be guided to it wish I only sold the collars now & kept the unit.

Get hold of and read the Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Manual. It has a wealth of information on navigation amongst other essential skills.

I just bought this for my Android phone. Has the DOC hunting areas and huts. I've found the GPS in the phone to be very good. It does not require cellular coverage to operate and to prolong battery life switch to aircraft mode so the phone is not constantly searching for a distant tower. You can always grab a power bank to recharge the phone or spare batteries for many phones. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ztopo50s&hl=en

General rules:

Have a printed map and compass and know how to read and use them together. Printed map should be in a sealed plastic bag as mush as possible.

I like to set the magnetic offset on an orienteering compass and place it on the map with the base plate parallel with the true north lines on the map. Then rotate the map with the compass on top till the needle lines up with the north offset. This then orients the map with the lay of the land.

Stop often and look behind you to see where you have come from. This can make it much easier for the return journey or if you have to backtrack.

Walking streets the rule is 6km/hr, in the bush 3km/hr when travelling. Much, much less if stalking of course. This allows you to plan the timing of your trip.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Get hold of and read the Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Manual. It has a wealth of information on navigation amongst other essential skills.

General rules:

Have a printed map and compass and know how to read and use them together. Printed map should be in a sealed plastic bag as mush as possible.

Stop often and look behind you to see where you have come from. This can make it much easier for the return journey or if you have to backtrack.

^ Probably the best bits of advice of the lot IMHO.

I carry and use a GPS but if I want to walk a particular heading I find it much easier to use a compass (with the heading set from the GPS)

Having a map handy also gives you a big picture view of the area that you can't really get from a small screen. If you are above the bush line or can see out of a clearing you can reference far off points and get a good idea of where you are and where you want to go to.

Always, always take a map and compass. The Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Manual will tell you how to use them and all sorts of things like true north, compass north etc

Cheers

Of course this version of the software is probably better for you. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ztopo50n&hl=en

To use a map and compass you need to know where you are. If you know where you are you’re not lost

Study and take a map
Start on a track and peel off a short distance then back to the track. Do this and your confidence will grow
Many great explorers traveled great distances and never had a map

Originally Posted by sako75

To use a map and compass you need to know where you are. If you know where you are you’re not lost

Study and take a map
Start on a track and peel off a short distance then back to the track. Do this and your confidence will grow
Many great explorers traveled great distances and never had a map

Hansel and Gretel used a trail of breadcrumbs to mark their way, so you can have a snack on the return trip unless the birds get them first.

Also when you're absolutely hopelessly lost remember water runs downhill, keep following water and you will eventually sort yourself out

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Also when you're absolutely hopelessly lost remember water runs downhill, keep following water and you will eventually sort yourself out

Unless you are on Stewart Island where some creeks run 'inland'

I always carry my phone in its life proof case, if you use a mapping app, make sure it works on flight mode. My iphone will last 4-5 days on flight mode.

Big trips I'll take my garmin 62 as well, and always have a map printed of the areas I'm likely to hunt. Also print off google earth imagery, it can help identify clearings or landmarks otherwise not seen on topo-maps.

If you do get geographically challenged, sit down and have a brew and a think about where you may have gone wrong. Easy to say don't panic, but even the most experienced people, myself included, will have some form of panicked state if we feel lost - especially if tired/hungry/dehydrated.

Always be prepared to spend a night on the hill unexpectedly. Carry appropriate gear.

And always leave your intentions with someone reliable and trustworthy - written down. My wife won't let me leave the house with out writing down where I am going. Be sure to destroy said notes on hunting locations as soon as you get home and before you tell your mates how awesome the trip was...in case they get their hands on it

Originally Posted by JoshC

My wife won't let me leave the house with out writing down where I am going. Be sure to destroy said notes on hunting locations as soon as you get home and before you tell your mates how awesome the trip was...in case they get their hands on it

I have that same problem with my wife always wanting to know where I'm going

try the local orienteering club.

Originally Posted by 40mm

try the local orienteering club.

can you show me where it is?

if you carry a map and compass you should be able to find it for yourself

Originally Posted by marky123

can you show me where it is?

Nope, thats just my plan...... Last time I used a compass was in scouts, Iv been given a gps but cant work it. So Ill stick to hunting paper until I figure that stuff out! (except when I get a lucky break)