SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hunt-stop-principle

In an outdoor emergency, hunters follow the STOP principle. What does STOP stand for?

Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.

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  1. Search, Track, Orient, Proceed
  2. Signal, Travel, Organize, Pack
  3. Stop, Think, Observe, Plan ✔

Why: Stop and stay calm. Think about what to do now. Observe the terrain and look for familiar landmarks. Then Plan your next best step.

Huh, didn't know that: Observe means surveying the land for landmarks you recognize.

The dad joke
I got lost and remembered STOP. Then I had to remember what the letters stood for.
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References

Answer: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan. Stop and stay calm. Think about what to do now. Observe the terrain and look for familiar landmarks. Then Plan your next best step.

  1. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, You Alone in the Maine Woods, p. 24 www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/You-Alone.pdf
    Remember the acronym “STOP”: Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

Hunting SafetyWhat's the widely recognized distress signal if you're lost in the woods?Hunting SafetyBefore leaving for a hunt, what should you always do with your hunt plan?Hunting SafetyYou realize you're lost on a hunt. According to hunter education, what's the very first thing to do?

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