http://www.wdio.com/news/lost-hunter-sha...5051/?cat=10335 Even though the report says he was 'lost' he was actually stuck in the deep icy ditches that line many of the tote roads in that area.

Almost done in by 'one last road'. He's very lucky to have survived.

A few more details here:
http://admin.echopress.com/news/4379858-lost-hunter-rescued-subzero-temps-loggers

Being stranded in -30 temperatures is very serious. Partially incapacitated and out in the open? That's when the grim reaper comes calling.

I guess we don't really need to go through the standard "cascade effect" list that got him into such deep trouble. It's the classic scenario that keeps repeating.

The thing is, as a law enforcement officer, he was undoubtedly involved in a lot of search and rescue operations over the years. I don't mean to be snarky, but I'm rather surprised that he would have made this series of mistakes. It's a caution to us all.

I thought the same thing. I used to live in that county, and it's a huge county that borders the BWCAW and Canada wilderness. It is a pretty stark wilderness with a few tiny towns in the interior. There are lots of no-name tote roads curving through the woods in various states of repair, and most are not plowed in winter. Much of the land there is wet boggy pine, aspen, and brush in summer. The tote roads are raised like berms in many areas above the bogs and so they have a 2 or 3 foot sharp drop to a water filled channel. If you drive off the road, you are either high-centered or will roll over. I spent a lot of time in those backwoods areas and I have the utmost respect. Bears are hibernating now, but there are a lot of wolves in the forest there. I have to think he just got overconfident in his truck and driving skills, and that and the lack of basic preparations put him in grave danger.

a winter survival kit in the car might have helped.
- food
- water
- lights
- -30 bag
- extra clothing
- heat/ heaters

A little something to provide for signaling when outside normal traffic areas. Assuming no cell service, use of a PLB may have been totally justified.

One might wonder if it is wise to go hunting alone with a medical problem like:



https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555

Yeah, good point. Still, putting myself in his shoes...I've been doing this my whole life, I know the area, my truck is in good shape... Easy to get complacent.

That's so often the case. We seem naturally inclined to think that either every calamity or none will befall us. I'm wired to be the first, but I'm working on finding a middle ground, but it only takes a split second...

..I'd always assumed hunters would always carry a season/location appropriate kit.