Wilderness survival is a vast subject that few people ever truly master. Even certain subsets of this subject can be daunting. Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources and books that can help. It’s a super popular subject that has been discussed at length by countless websites and authors, including yours truly.

But throughout my time researching this subject over the years, I’ve stumbled on a few survival tips that don’t seem to be mentioned very often. Perhaps their usefulness is a little too narrow, or there are better options that are a little more versatile and applicable in more situations. However, I’ve always felt that there is no survival tip that is too niche, so to speak. I like to learn everything, even if some of that knowledge is only useful in rare circumstances. In that spirit, I’ve come up with three survival tips on the subject of navigating your way out of the wilderness, that I don’t think get mentioned often enough.

1. Pay Attention To The Animals

We all know that certain animals can sense magnetic fields, and use that ability to navigate. What most people don’t realize is that observing some of these animals can help you figure out which way is north or south. If you’re ever lost in the forests of North America or Europe, pay attention to any deer you might run across. They almost always face magnetic north or south when they’re grazing.

2. Follow The Water

With advances in modern infrastructure, it’s a lot easier for a community to spring up where there is no water. However, most towns and cities that are around today were built a long time ago, when they absolutely needed to be near water sources. For that reason, one of the best ways to find civilization is to simply follow any rivers or streams you run across. Obviously, doing this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find civilization, but if you don’t know which direction the nearest community is, then following a river gives you the best odds of getting out of the wilderness. Plus, you’ll be able to stay hydrated throughout the journey.

3. Look For Light Pollution

One of the most noticeable side effects of modern civilization is the abundance of light it produces. Even at night, most communities have plenty of streetlights running until dawn. Depending on the size of these communities and how far away they are, you should be able to see the light they produce even if you can’t see the town itself. When it gets dark, try to find a high vantage point and scan your surroundings. If civilization is near, you should be able to see a glimmer of light over the horizon.