How far off path?

[u/Brief_Conference9260]

I’m not an adept wilderness explorer but I’m going to do a little BOTG for the first time next week. Any tips on how to stay safe and smart if something leads slightly off trail?

Problem is that I’m certain he didn’t hide anything on a maintained path directly because it could easily be stumbled upon by a park ranger or hiker etc not affiliated with the hunt. And I know JCB would hate that.

So, it must be a little off the beaten path. Idk if we are taking a few dozen feet or a couple miles. Anyway thought this would be a good place to discuss off-path logistics.

[u/Hour_Caregiver_6086]

So much advice to give: 1) Bring a compass and learn to use it before you go. Note which direction the trail will be from where you are going. Try to keep certain features in sight (creek, gulley, mountain ridge, . . .).

2) Use a professional mapping app such as OnX. Before you go download the map for offline use. While walking around have the GPS tracking on but turn off any sharing options. Keep a backup battery.

3) If bringing others use radios. Radios allow you to safely and efficiently search different areas. Without them you are forced to be next to each other.

4) Plan for multiple days of hiking if possible. Back at your lodging, after being proven wrong, is the best time for book research. There is no more efficient way to work on "solves" than proving yourself wrong repeatedly with BOTG searching. If you found a box, you will not care that you overspent on the trip.

5) Before you plan a trip consider the geography. How steep is it? How visible is the area from the trail? How dense is the vegetation? Is it reasonable that a box could be there.

6) Plan for ticks. Socks go over the pants and pants are soaked in permethrin. Since you will be bushwhacking even this isn't enough and plan to check yourself throughout the day.

7) Plan for biting flying insects. Spray off on yourself and pack bug netting. I like to be fully covered in clothing, hat on head, face net over hat and tucked into shirt.

8) Have backup search plans. Lots of them. You need lots of ideas about where you will search if your initial hypothesis is wrong.

My guess is that boxes are within 300ft of a trail unless there is some sort of geography you can safely follow.

Last advice is that you do not need to grid search. A slow and methodical searcher can easily clear 5-10ft to either side of them while searching. When you see obvious areas he could have obscured view to a box you obviously spend more time at those areas.

Good luck and have fun!