Elk Hunting Safety in the Backcountry

[mtnbound]

What does everyone carry in their first aid packs for back country hunts?
So I just finished my mandatory hunt reporting and sadly had to report no harvest on elk this year. This was not due to a lack of effort but instead due to a medical emergency the day before the season while scouting my hunting grounds. While navigating a blowdown patch I slipped on the snow while hoping off a log and busted my knee up. I was about 2 miles from my camp and had minimal supplies in my pack since I was just on a day scouting trip, it was also in the 20's, snowing, getting dark and I was solo so I was not in a good situation. My paracord and pocket saw was in my kill kit (back at camp) so I didnt have a way to make an immobilization brace. With not many options I had to crawl and hobble, using my rifle as a crutch, the 8 hours back to camp. When I finally got back to camp I examined my leg more closely and came to the conclusion that I should probably message for help instead of attempting the trek back to my truck which was 8 miles as the crow fly's so approximately 14 trail miles. I ended up getting flown out due to the severity of the injury; complete rupture quad tendon, torn ligaments and damaged both meniscus in my right leg. I have a solid first aid kit; disinfectant wipes, clotting agent, steri strips, Benadryl, pain killers and a tourniquet in my belt pouch but I didnt have anything on me to immobilize my knee.

Being in my 30's, great shape, a single dad and a small business owner, this was reality check for me. Here are a few of my take aways.
- I will be keeping my paracord and folding saw in my pack at all times.
- Had to many long delayed messages with my inreach, T-Mobile satellite texting/picture messaging worked instantly and expedited the communication process in no cell service/remote rugged terrain (in my instance).
- Have a plan for worst case scenario, luckily, I had a solid game plan for emergencies and extract was quick
- XLR magnesium folding chassis with the carbon stock is tougher than expected. Im over 6' and 220lbs and every time I put my full weight on my makeshift crutch I thought it was gonna break. Surprisingly it is as tight as the day I bought it.
-Physical Therapy is pretty rough after being in a straight leg brace for 7 weeks post-surgery

I carry some ouchy booboo supplies, but my first aid kit focuses on trauma management (tourniquets, blood clotting agents, Krink gauze, etc.) and joint/limb stabilization (Sam splint, Ace bandages), since those are the most common injuries I see in the backcountry during SAR missions. I don't carry a large kit, so I can only do so much, as the most significant factor working against one in the backcountry is time from higher-level care.

In your case, little could be done to stabilize your knee/quad enough to do much more than crawl or hobble as you did. You did the right thing by texting for help, but you should have done it sooner.

Keep your pack with you at all times in the BC and do not remove anything that could affect your life. A couple of extra pounds is not going to kill you, but not having essential gear with you can.

One advantage of an InReach over satellite texting is its tracking feature. If you can't send a text with your phone for any reason, with your InReach tracking enabled and the unit powered on, someone else can see your last/current location. I have a map shared with my wife, and she also has access to my Garmin account. I have told her that if I have not checked in by a specified time, she should check whether my position has changed. If not, send me a message; if I don't respond, call the Sheriff's Office. It may be too late at that point, but from a SAR perspective, not wasting additional time in searching for someone who may be injured can make a difference.

If you have not looked into it yet, check out BP157. It's great to help heal injuries.

 

[cbuck516]

Trekking poles are something I’m definitely going to consider packing in the woods next season. You bring up a great point to use the poles as stiffeners in a brace, I didn’t think of that benefit, I thought they might help prevent or lessen the injury. Thanks for that input.
You said Zoleo for SOS, so this was the first year I ditched the Inreach. I have had a lot of problems getting and sending messages in a timely manner. I switched to T-Mobile cell provider this year and the T satellite messaging is surprisingly fast and reliable. I did test it out on a couple hikes and an earlier hunt before I decided cancel the inreach plan. The down side to that was my phone doesn’t have the SOS button on the side but I made sure to have an emergency list in my contacts. Don’t know if this is the right call for everyone or every situation but it worked very well in my case.

Yeah, trekking poles are an absolute must and I would argue might be one of the more versatile pieces of gear you can pack. There are a number of other small accessories made specifically to work with trekking poles so you can take this as far as you like. When I am solo with snow on the ground, they are in my hands at all times unless I am walking on flat ground without any obstacles for an extended period of time. After taking a few spills myself when there were icing logs hidden under snow, I started also packing Kahtula micro spikes which help significantly improve traction and reduce risk of falling. Again, not something I use on easy terrain, but for climbing or descending when there is greater fall risk, they are super helpful. They do come at a decent weight penalty, but I am willing to accept some added weight as extra insurance to prevent injury in the field or worse.

Not really something you pack in an emergency kit, but doing everything you can as preventative maintenance to reduce risk of injury is another important thing to consider. Making sure you are stretching and staying hydrated with sufficient electrolytes goes a long way to preventing the type of injury you sustained. I think the majority of people I have hunted with are getting insufficient electrolytes from what I’ve seen.

I had a scare where I fell on a log while solo, around 4.5 miles from my vehicle. I started moving more slowly and intentionally around risky terrain after that.

 

[ThorM465]

Glad to hear you made it out okay.

Trekking poles are a critical item on my packing list just below my boots and pack. One of the few items I recommend that new hunters don't try to save money on and get the absolute best you can afford.

I always carry one more warming layer than I think I'm going to need. In this situation, it could be a literal life saver.

First aid kit (always in pack) ~11ozm:
NAR Tourniquet (Bino Harness)
Israeli Pressure Dressing
Zip Sutures Butterfly Bandaid Kit
Loctite Gel Super Glue 2g
Purell 2floz
KT Tape
Nitrile Gloves
Advil
AMB Powder 8oz
Chapstick

Betadine Antiseptic Dry Powder (in the truck)

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

We made makeshift crutches out of paracord, tree branches, and jackets for a buddy one year. I have a picture somewhere. Always have cordage of some kind in your pack, even for a day trip or “morning out” rucking.

We split up his gear and carried it out for him and made it back to the truck. It was 11 miles into the sierras. He did surprisingly well getting down with the crutches.

 

[Bighorse]

Let’s talk about fire starting. Most folks are visualizing Jack London and sitting out under the stars. I propose two large 32oz Nalgene bottles, one Isobutane, and a small pocket rocket style stove. Coupled with a great tarp shelter and simple light insulators they can be heated and placed next to your body overnight. Remember your injured! Gather two full bottles, drink some while you’re at it. Gather yourself under the shelter tarp and keep one bottle hot and near you. You have two bottles so that as one gets cold your heating a refill or placing two. One isobutane will get ya through the night. Be careful and don’t burn your gear and or spill your valuable water. Supplement drinking the warm water also. Having gathered 64 oz you can afford to drink 20 by morning. Everything else has been said
Poles
Life flight insurance
Partner
Tape on poles
Light shelter options you’ll actually carry
Comms

Heal fast sir!

 

[mad_angler]

Does anyone pack one of these?

Amazon.com

They are light and I own several. But I usually don't have one in my pack...

But thinking about it, a leg issue is really one of the more likely injuries that I might suffer.

 

[Poser]

Does anyone pack one of these?

Amazon.com

They are light and I own several. But I usually don't have one in my pack...

But thinking about it, a leg issue is really one of the more likely injuries that I might suffer.

I always have one in my backcountry FAK. I have 2 in my truck.

 

[mtwarden]

Let’s talk about fire starting. Most folks are visualizing Jack London and sitting out under the stars. I propose two large 32oz Nalgene bottles, one Isobutane, and a small pocket rocket style stove. Coupled with a great tarp shelter and simple light insulators they can be heated and placed next to your body overnight. Remember your injured! Gather two full bottles, drink some while you’re at it. Gather yourself under the shelter tarp and keep one bottle hot and near you. You have two bottles so that as one gets cold your heating a refill or placing two. One isobutane will get ya through the night. Be careful and don’t burn your gear and or spill your valuable water. Supplement drinking the warm water also. Having gathered 64 oz you can afford to drink 20 by morning. Everything else has been said
Poles
Life flight insurance
Partner
Tape on poles
Light shelter options you’ll actually carry
Comms

Heal fast sir!

I’ve posted similar on the “have you ditched your trusty Nalgenes” seems most folks want save an ounce or to with a used vitamin water bottle.

My Nalgenes have saved many a night when it got colder than expected

Rescue insurance is dirt cheap through Garmin if you have one of their satellite devices—like $3/month cheap. I’m in the backcountry year round, easily the best $36 a guy could spend.

 

[mtnbound]

Does anyone pack one of these?

Amazon.com

They are light and I own several. But I usually don't have one in my pack...

But thinking about it, a leg issue is really one of the more likely injuries that I might suffer.

Yep, I have a SAM splint in my pack and needed myself when I torn my knee. I have also used it to stabilize a partner’s severely sprained/fractured ankle.

 

[mtnbound]

I’ve posted similar on the “have you ditched your trusty Nalgenes” seems most folks want save an ounce or to with a used vitamin water bottle.

My Nalgenes have saved many a night when it got colder than expected

Rescue insurance is dirt cheap through Garmin if you have one of their satellite devices—like $3/month cheap. I’m in the backcountry year round, easily the best $36 a guy could spend.

I don't know of any Western state that charges for SAR operations. Most Sheriff's offices can charge in cases of gross negligence, but it rarely occurs. Air medical transport is expensive for backcountry rescue, and it's wise to have coverage for that, but I do not think the Garmin insurance covers medical costs.

 

[Blurry1]

Does anyone pack one of these?

Amazon.com

They are light and I own several. But I usually don't have one in my pack...

But thinking about it, a leg issue is really one of the more likely injuries that I might suffer.

Nope lots of twigs around. You even likely have a rifle which as some of us old warfighters have been trained to use as a full leg splint. I keep thinking it might be time for some of us to develop a wilderness medical class. I see so much on here that has limited utility in the backcountry.

 

[duckcarver]

All great tips.

I'm 30 years removed from my Scouting first aid training. I would like to take one or more wilderness first aid/responder courses before this fall. Looks like plenty of options - can anyone recommend a great online course or provider?

Global Rescue provides medical evacuation/rescue coordination and coverage and is available in a range of membership plans from short-term trips (7 days - $139) through annual coverage including high altitude (>15K'). Relatively small investment for added peace of mind and protection for backcountry trips.

 

[mtwarden]

I don't know of any Western state that charges for SAR operations. Most Sheriff's offices can charge in cases of gross negligence, but it rarely occurs. Air medical transport is expensive for backcountry rescue, and it's wise to have coverage for that, but I do not think the Garmin insurance covers medical costs.

It’s mainly for the helicopter ride. There are a few counties in Montana, where even that is free, but not many.

 

[Sled]

Does anyone pack one of these?

Amazon.com

They are light and I own several. But I usually don't have one in my pack...

But thinking about it, a leg issue is really one of the more likely injuries that I might suffer.

Yes, that is a knockoff SAM splint. They are very useful and very lightweight. In some of my packs they slip in where the sitting pad would be as well.

 

[sodaksooner]

Carry a pretty basic first aid kit but also have a partial roll of duct tape and a bottle of CA glue. Trekking poles are in our kit already.

 

[Backyard]

Rescue insurance is dirt cheap through Garmin if you have one of their satellite devices—like $3/month cheap. I’m in the backcountry year round, easily the best $36 a guy could spend.

There are other options also: I purchased trip insurance this year for my solo elk hunt. It included a $1 million lifeflight coverage. Very reasonable security I thought at $111 for 14 days


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