[vthompson]

With hunting season quickly approaching, I just wanted to remind everyone that takes to the woods that if you get lost or injured and you need help, that firing 3 rapid shots into the air is the universal code for needing help.
I am sure that it has been touched on before in the forum, but I just wanted to remind everyone.

[Sctr22]

Now I am aware of this signal...and for some reason I never asked this question. Even though your lost should you really shoot 3 shots in the air? I mean I know your in the woods, and hopefully not too close to civilizion...however a bullet traveling in the air can travel quite a distance at that height and reaches terminal velocity when coming down which is capable of killing a person. I just wouldnt want to get rescued only to get arrested for a homicide. Does it make more sense to shoot into the side of a hill or a thick tree? Ionno maybe I'm just being paranoid. Any thoughts?

[scorch]

Originally Posted by Sctr22

Now I am aware of this signal...and for some reason I never asked this question. Even though your lost should you really shoot 3 shots in the air? I mean I know your in the woods, and hopefully not too close to civilizion...however a bullet traveling in the air can travel quite a distance at that height and reaches terminal velocity when coming down which is capable of killing a person. I just wouldnt want to get rescued only to get arrested for a homicide. Does it make more sense to shoot into the side of a hill or a thick tree? Ionno maybe I'm just being paranoid. Any thoughts?

If I had to I would but I'd rather shoot into water because there's little chance for me getting injured from it.

[stairman]

I would think shooting into something would greatly tone down the report. aiad take the chance and shoot 3 in the air. Of course prevention is the key here. A GPS and backup map and compass not to mention a cell phone is what I carry in the woods hunting. Having a small kit to help getting you thru the night if need be is important. Chances are the next day youll walk right out. By the way, the 3 shots in the air method doesnt work for bowseason

[George]

Flares could be good too, but sometimes in need of help this might not be an option.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by scorch

If I had to I would but I'd rather shoot into water because there's little chance for me getting injured from it.

careful, water is notorious for wicked ricochet (bullet can skip instead of dive)

[heysmithy]

It should also be noted that the common response to the "three shot distress call" is one shot in the air. If nearby, just walk a little closer and blow on a whistle.

Also just to put this out there, as long as you arent pointing the gun into urban territory, the chances of the bullet coming down and causing damage or injury is ludicrously small. If you are truly in trouble, don't focus on that possibility at all.

[Omegaman]

Tests have shown that handgun and rifle bullets fired straight up in to the air lack the kinetic energy to kill upon falling back to earth because they lack mass and because they will start to tumble they lose speed. People who have been killed with bullets shot into the air were found through entery wounds that the bullet was shot in an arc and not straight up. It is like the old penny thrown off the empire state building killing people or going right through the side walk. A falling penny can't build up enough speed or kinetic energy to do either. I dont know if any of you have been in some of the countries that when during their holidays in city and town squares dozen of people and some times hundereds fire AK's and other full auto fire arms straight into the air and we are talking thousand of rounds. So bullets shot straightup should come striaght down (I know earths rotation, wind and curve of the earth will cause variations but in a city square full of thousands of people, people should be getting hit and dropping like flies.

[shorthair]

Just my 2 cent, but I am unlikely to fire 3 rounds in to the air unless I was very sure they would be heard. Ammo may be used for other uses, protection, food or fire. Being found is of coarse the highest priority but if those shots are in desperation and unheard, it would be more devastating using up the resources you may have.

[Celticwarrior]

If you are concerned with falling lead, just aim at a high tree trunk and pop 3 shots into it. No falling rounds, no chance of hitting someone at a distance, and the shots are still heard clearly.

I agree that I wouldn't just fire with no chance of being heard, as there are plenty of places near me where you could shoot every round you could carry and no one would hear you, even during hunting season. If there is some reason to believe that rescuers or searcher are within earshot of my rifle report, then that's a different story.