WATER

You must have a water source either with you or available to you if you are to remain in good shape and survive your stay in the wilderness.  If you can bring your own water with you it is best.  But if you must drink from an outside water source you must treat the water with iodine tablets to make the water safe for consumption.  Several types of water pumps and filter straws are available which do a nice job of filtering any water available.  Remember that you must remain hydrated if you are to help yourself.

FOOD

Be sure to bring along enough food to last till help arrives. This could be 24 hours or more.  Do not kid yourself that you can tough it out or even eat the local vegetation if needed.  Most of the plants you are likely to come across are bitter, non-edible, and can make you sick enough that you can not help save yourself.  The best rule is to eat only what you bring and bring enough to sustain you for at least 24 hours.

CLOTHING

The type of clothing required will vary from region to region.  You must take along clothing to protect you from rain, snow, wind, and heat.  Layered clothing is best.  It can be adjusted easier to suit the current conditions.  The hunting conditions you see right now can change in a few hours or even a few minutes.  I have hunted in conditions in Colorado where you could hunt without a shirt on one slope then be rained on and snowed on every few minutes on another.  Remember you are your own most effective life saver.  If you help yourself the rescue team will bring you out safe and healthy.  If not they will bring out a corpse.

FIRE

Always carry several types of fire starting devices with you.  If one fails you have others to fall back on.  In addition to keeping you warm and dry, the fire can be seen for miles from the air.  The smoke can be seen in the daylight if you throw on a few green leaves.  You can bring along matches in a waterproof container or lighters.  You can also buy commercial type flint strikers.  Whatever type you use you must know how to use it and keep it in working order.

SIGNALING DEVICES

There are two types of signaling devices you should have with you when you go into the woods.  The first is a ground to ground signaling device.  This can be as simple as a plastic whistle. You can buy commercial blank cartridges for your rifle or shotgun or you can simply take extra rounds just in case you need to signal several times before help arrives.  The second is a ground to air signaling device such as a signaling mirror.  Smoke, fire, flares from a flair gun, and also cylume light sticks can all help pinpoint your location to low flying aircraft.  You can take your cell phone with you just don't use up the battery calling the misses if you don't need too.  Be prepared to signal several to many times to get someone's attention. But its better than just sitting there.  Also remember that you can't be seen or found if you stay under the trees,  You must get to an opening so the searchers can see you.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Many of the following items never seem to be brought along.  These are the so called nice to have items.  But if you need them then they can be the most important items in the pack.  Lip balm, sunglasses, medications, maps, Spare glasses or contact lenses all are needed at one time or another.  You could pack a space blanket or even several garbage bags.  Fill the bags with leaves and you can have a sleeping platform against the cold ground.  They can also help keep you dry if you don't have a rain suit.  Binoculars can also be a big help.  A piece of plastic with a length of cord can become a quick shelter or rain poncho in bad weather.  The plastic can also be used to create a solar water still to purify and trap drinking water.  Think about yourself and the hunt area. Think about what you need and pack accordingly.  It could make your stay a little more pleasant and may even save your life.