Texas Hunter Education Certification Practice Exam

What should a hunter do if they become lost in the woods?

1. Keep moving to find a way out

2. Stay put and wait for rescue

3. Follow animal tracks for direction

4. Head downhill until a road is found

The correct answer is: Stay put and wait for rescue

Staying put and waiting for rescue is often the best course of action for a lost hunter. This approach increases the likelihood of being found, as it allows searchers to focus their efforts on a specific area. When individuals move around while lost, they may inadvertently complicate or prolong their rescue, especially if they wander further away from their last known location. In the wilderness, it can be easy to get disoriented, and continuing to move could lead to more confusion or potential hazards. Additionally, staying put conserves energy and can allow the lost person to signal for help by making noise or using visual signals, such as smoke from a fire. Choosing to keep moving or relying on animal tracks may lead a lost hunter deeper into the woods, while heading downhill could result in encounters with unsafe terrain or conditions. Thus, remaining in one place is advisable, particularly if the hunter has a means to signal their presence.