Grouse Hunter's Survival Kit

You'll see by my recent multiple posts about grouse hunting that I am an enthusiastic newby. One of my concerns is getting lost in the vast tracts of land that grouse are pursued, especially when it is getting cold overnight. I don't necessarily fear having to spend a night or two in the woods in a survival situation, but I'd like to be prepared for it if I had to. Can you folks list some absolute essentials you take with you when pursuing grouse off the beaten path, assuming you take a few essentials with you in the event of getting lost in deep woods. I will be doing most of my hunting alone, and I am usually the kind of guy that likes to get off the main trail. I'll have a dog with me as well, so one of the things I want to keep with me for sure is a pair of pliers for removing porcupine quills. My understanding is if you are a regular grouse hunter with dogs, it's just a matter of time before you'll be pulling quills from one. Anyway, what do you guys put in your pockets or fanny pack to prepare for the worst?

a compass, first and foremost. GPS or smart phone is nice- when they work! watrerproof matches or a dependable lighter. leatherman type multi tool. piece of cord or lightweight, compact leash for the dog. Pockets full of shells are heavy enough, don't weighh yourself down any more than you have to. This isnt the Alaska range, you'll be OK! I hunt coon with my hound, and have a dog first aid kit, but havent used anything out of it except the emt gel and the staple gun. It stays in the truck.

I really think you are overthinking all of this. A good compass that you trust and know how to read. A good GPS that you know how to use. Back up batteries. Been hunting the grouse woods for 15+ years. Have yet to have a situation that I did not get out of with these 2 tools. Take a heading before you leave your truck. Have an understanding of the road in the area and don't push it when it comes to dusk.

A cell phone and GPS, or a smart phone with a GPS. Then you can cal for help if you're lost or pull up a map or Google Earth and get yourself out of the woods.

Well, I've got a small kit together inside a small pouch I'll carry in my bird vest, which should keep me from getting lost, but will provide some basic needs if I do. Of course I'll have a whistle anyway, for my dog. Inside my pouch I have a wire cutters, in case my dog gets caught in a snare. A needlenose and a small channel lock pliers in the event of a porcupine episode. A four foot length of rope with a loop in it for compressing the springs of a conibear trap if my dog gets caught in one of those things. I've got a Garmin E-Trex basic GPS with lithium batteries, a Bushnell Backtrack II GPS with lithium batteries as a back up, along with a spare set of lithium batteries for each GPS. I have a regular compass in there in the unlikely event I can't get satellite reception. I have a small, aluminum 85 lumen LED flashlight. A water filtration straw I can stick directly into a water source, which filters up to 20 gallons, depending on water quality. I have two small, emergency candles, two new BIC lighters, and one package of waterproof matches. I'll probably have a couple granola bars in my vest as well, along with a couple dog biscuits. It goes without saying I'll have a pocket knife in my pocket, and a belt knife on my belt. I'll also most likely be carrying my small frame Glock 40 caliber on my side, in the event of any run ins with anything/body that will kill and/or eat me or my dog. I think that about covers it. I can probably get by fairly well for a couple days with this stuff, in the event of a worse case scenario. Thanks for the few suggestions.

This is not necessarily a survival item but I like to carry 2 trash bags folded up in my gear when grouse hunting. Use them as impromptu waders to cross streams when you drop a bird on the far side of a creek and the dog needs assistance with a retrieve. This has save me a lot of lost birds and wet feet over the years. A trash bag can also make a useful poncho if you are stuck in the woods overnight.

A compass pinned on your vest helps you keep your bearings and a hand held GPS has been a big help to keep from getting turned around. A bottle of water and a few granola or energy bars are good to bring along. I bring several pairs of small pliers and have everyone in my party carry them.

No matter what I'm hunting for, I always have a whistle, lighter, and a tea light candle in my fanny pack. Whistle noise goes further then yelling. Fires start easier while using the candle then just a lighter.