If given a choice, I'd much rather be stranded in a forest.

The tip about cooking food and eating it away from your campsite is a good idea, that most people never think about. Even weekend campers, fully aware that bears may be around, will still cook in front of their tents, put their extra food up in the trees around the campsite, and then wonder why bears come in, looking for something to eat.

I have a question, though.

I heard that using a human male's urine around the perimeter of a camp site keeps bears away.

Is this true, or is it another urban legend?

I really don't know the answer to this, but looking at a Bears normal behavior, I would have to say no. Bears are very territorial. If you mark an area in their territory, they may go after you just for "stealing" their territory.

I am going to have to do a search and see if I can learn more about this. It could be very important.

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

I guess the answer depends on the person. If the person is dumb, you probably know the answer. On the other hand, if the person is smart its sure that the person will survive.

Imagine you are stuck in a unknown forest. You have nothing in your hand. What will be your first move. The forest is very dangerous.

Surviving in a forest is not a big deal unless you are struck by a lion or tiger. I had a worst experience. I was lost in the forest while hunting. But i had compass and map. Using those i made my way out.

Do we have what we normally carry with us? Why are we in the forest?

_________________
Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

I think with a few more details we can probably turn this into a nice training exercise. Kind of like a hypothetical scenario. But first we need some more facts from the OP or other members who want to try this out.

In that case controlling nervousness is important. The second is to find food and water sources. Once they are secured we need to come up with a plan to evacuate ourselves from the forests through any methods possible.

Other predators in the forest are DINNER! That is where your survival skills come into play.
Since some of them will stalk you, just think of yourself as bait, and set up a trap to kill them.

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Many years ago while working for the State of Washington I was sent down a river to get an idea of the Dolly Varden population. Through poor planning myself and my co-worker ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere in the pouring down rain. It was pitch black when we managed to get off the river and onto a landing. It was cold, wet, we had no food and no weapons. I managed to get a fire going and spent the entire night gathering wet wood to at least attempt to keep a little warm. Couldn't see enough to make a shelter and I heard a black bear circling all night. When it got light enough to walk out I found bear scat every 30 yards on the road.
I learned a lesson that night. It would have been a whole lot better for us if we had given up earlier and tried to make a shelter while we had daylight. I now never go into the woods without some form of firearm. My choice is a single shot 20 ga with at least 5 shells. 3 birdshot and two slugs carried on the buttstock. It takes apart and stows inside of a bag, (or on a pack frame). Inside the bag goes a firestarter, some clothes line, a very small tarp, a couple tiny emergency blankets, a sharp little folding knife, baby wipes (need you ask?) and some sort of folding wood saw. (hope to have a quality water filter inside someday) Tie it up and you have a nice little survival bag. Keep it at home or put it into your pack/car for long trips into rural country.
Why a 20 ga instead of a .22? Personal preferance. When it comes down to needing to eat/protection I prefer the security a shotgun has to offer. I don't miss with the shotgun. I never "plan" to be lost for a month so 5-10 shells is plenty. Even if I was planning to spend a long period of time in the woods I imagine I would be smart enought to pack enough food to cover a large percentage of that time so a box of shells should prove to be plenty.
I can tell you even after just one night out there we were some sorry looking/feeling young fellas. It is amazing how much the elements can sap the energy out of you. That was 20+ years ago and at my age I wouldn't want to go through it again. Even a plain old tarp would have made the world of difference.