I agree with Canoedogs. Most of the scenarios presented in this forum will never happen to any of us, and we propose them for mental exercise and for our mutual amusement.

That said, I will add that some of us are trying to keep the old ways alive. I can imagine situations like war, widespread natural disaster, regional power outtages, terrorist acts, civil unrest etc, not to mention dead batteries where no one would respond to an electronic beacon.

I have nothing against anyone who prefers to clank off down well worn trails layered in their underarmor and north face pullovers, laden with titanium gadgets, collapsible shock-absorbing carbide tipped poles, gas stoves, freeze dried tetrazinni, beacons, gore-tex bivvy, micro tarps and hi-tech computer controlled digital headlights, all packed into an ultralight computer designed carry system. That's just not me.

I also do not struggle with the concept of harvesting a wild animal for food. Deer are as numerous as cattle here, and I do not see any philosphical difference in harvesting meat myself, or buying meat at a grocery store that someone else harvested for me. I'm no Nessmuk, but I go into the woods for solitude, to hone my primitive skills, and to escape modern electronic technology.

I believe that there is a place for beacons and similar devices...pilots, mariners, long distance overlanders, group guides to name a few. However, if a person is a day hiker, a hunter, a backwoods fisherman, a bird watcher etc, and they do not possess the very basic traditional equipment and skills to to keep out of trouble or to spend an unexpected night in the woods and extract themselves without relying on others to rescue them in lieu of those skills, they should really stay on the pavement or hire an experienced guide.