Lesson learned- Got stuck

[Huntergal]

Well have an exciting day yesterday. The Fire Fighter breakfast was a hit. I left early about 10am. Went deer hunting and not a sole around. Did not see one truck. I went in a road I have not been on in 2 years. There was allot of logging on this side so I explored for hours. Al lot on foot. Not a deer to be found. I found a road I have never been on. As I was driving down the road that was going down hill for miles. ((mind you I drive a Dodge Ram 1500 2 wheel drive)). I had warning bells going off in my head but I did not heed it. Finally got to the bottom of the hill and it was a sloppy mess of other peoples trucks turning around. Well I got stuck down there. Not a sole around.  Thinking of what I can do. I dug, used sticks and rocks but not happening. Finally I gave up and (at least I had cell coverage) called My fire fighter friend that also does search and rescue. About that time some people drove down this road and it happen to be 2 of the guys I would see and talk with for for years of hunting there. But they did not have a way to help me but they kept tabs on me while my friend was on his way to help. I am so embarrassed. I have NEVER gotten stuff before. Will hear this for a very long time at the fire hall. Anyway my friend came and got me out and made sure I made it up the hill and home. Lesson learned....Bring a tow chain and shove. I was set if I had to camp there. Had sleeping bag, food, water, guns, stove. But never thought I would get stuck.
My friend asked why I hunt alone? He also told me I am lucky no pervs came down that road. I have no one around that likes to hunt. Most people around here road hunt. I do not.  And from now on I am going to pack hubby's 38. You can't stop me from hunting, yes hubby is worried about me all the time but I just can't stop.
What else should I bring for the truck for elk hunting??? I have tire chains.

[Bob33]

"Lesson learned....Bring a tow chain and shove."

I'm not sure I could shove a truck up a hill. 

I once got stuck 21 miles off of highway 101. I hiked / jogged out.

[jackmaster]

i would throw a come along in there, it will get you out most of the time, it might be slow but it works great and easy for one person, just make sure you throw a jacket on the cable somewhere towards the middle incase it snaps when its piss tight, good luck i am glad all worked out, how come your hubby doesnt hunt with you, i would love it if my wife got into huntn 

[Curly]

What else should I bring for the truck for elk hunting??? I have tire chains.

1. come-along
2. chain saw (or at least a good hand saw)
3. your husband

[ELKBURGER]

You could consider a winch on your truck. A comealong for sure. I would also consider a higher capacity pistol.
Keep at it! Love hearing about women hunting. Wish my wife enjoyed getting out.

[boneaddict]

Pretty much everything recommended so far and possibly a highlift jack.   I use a comealong and a log chain.  Need to be able to reach that big fir. 

[Mike450r]

I will add to everything recommended a 4 wheel drive truck.  Your come along and tow chains won't get used as much but rather they will just be added sense of security.

[Easy-E]

If you don't get a 4 wheel drive then at least consider putting a limited slip rear differential. I've seen trucks do amazing things locked up: they went places in 2 wheel drive that I could not go in 4 wheel drive.

[Southpole]

I'm glad everything turned out okay, but you definitely need to get better geared up to get yourself out of a predicament like getting stuck. I'm guilty of leaving the house with nothing to pull myself out as well, so I really shouldn't preach. The only thing saving me is I'm usually driving a rig with 4 wheel drive. Like Huntergal, I too hunt alone. Yes, the hubby worries, but it's not like I'm a 6 year old child out alone in the woods, I'm a grown up that has experience and some common sense being out by myself (also armed). Also, a lot of the time he can't come along because he's stuck at work. If I waited on him to come with me I would never get to go hunting.  ...just make sure you tell someone where and when you go.

[Goldeneye]

What else should I bring for the truck for elk hunting??? I have tire chains.

  The tire chains will help for traction in the mud.  If you get in that situation ever again an option is to put the chains on.  I'm not saying they will get you out, but they give you a little more chance to grab some traction in the slop.

[LndShrk]

Consider writing up a trip plan and leaving it with someone.  Inform them of your time of depart and return and the "allowable" absence time. Then you must stick to that. 
 It is good that you had coverage but what if you didn't?
I would consider a SPOT satellite messenger or a PLB device.

[runamuk]

I hunted alone pretty much always for the first 2 years.  I got my truck stuck a couple times managed to get it unstuck but a winch or come along would have made it easier.  I learned to keep blankets and extra water and some sort of snacks at my truck after the hypothermia incident.  I appear a bit of a wimp to the average person but I am determined and push myself way past where I should when out there, I know this so just roll with it.  Even this weekend I went out with others but mostly hunted off by myself other than the other pumpkins.  I never count on cell service and always have a plan for what to do if I got stuck out there for real.

I understand hunting alone and that was some of the best experiences I had when I did hunt with now ex I hated it he made too much noise his gun was always ending up pointed at me and I basically did not feel the freedom to chase a game trail and then find a new way back where I started.  Hunting alone you can where you want for as long as you want and don't have to stop chasing down something interesting to meet back at a truck. 

I am single basically so dont have to report to anyone I dont choose to, so none of the spousal unit worries even apply any more.

[PlateauNDN]

4wd with a winch and chains.  A plan and possibly a hunting partner?

[RadSav]

I've got 4 wheel drive and still always have chains with me from early archery season till seasons are over.  Just never know.  I love hunting by myself so I can't say anything bad about that - sounds great!

Had the same thing happen to me before getting the 4X4 and before cell phones.  I made chains out of blackberry briars.  They worked pretty well!  I've also used chain from a dog leash more than once.  Small price to pay to get some alone time in the woods.  Sounds like you were prepared for everything, but what happened.  Not a lot of folks would have been that well prepared.

Life is pretty boring when all goes as planned.  It's those little mishaps and the stories that go with them you remember.  And they make us better prepared for our future adventures   As long as nobody gets hurt it's all good.

[DoubleJ]

Life is pretty boring when all goes as planned.  It's those little mishaps and the stories that go with them you remember.  And they make us better prepared for our future adventures   As long as nobody gets hurt it's all good.

Next time you cuss about something, I'm gonna remind you of this quote