Do you know the difference between "lost" and "stranded?" Lost is not knowing where you are or which way to go. Stranded is (usually) knowing where you are but no one else seems to know where in the hell you are. Now according to most survival books, websites and search & rescue (SAR) teams...

  RULE # 1 - Before you take off and go anywhere you should tell someone (a) where you are going and (b) what time you will be back or be arriving at your final destination. Just in case you don't make it back or to your final destination within a certain time so a search and rescue (SAR) party will know where to start looking for you.

  RULE #2 - Should you become lost or stranded in a disabled vehicle or you’re a survivor of a plane crash, it’s always best to remain with the vehicle or plane. It will be easier for a SAR party to find you in a stationery position than to look for a "moving" person or a group of people who don't know where they are going.

  But if there's no vehicle or plane and you are on foot and you have no idea where in the hell you are nor which way to go. Then again it’s best to stay where you are as it will be easier for a SAR party to find a stationery / non-moving person or group of people than to find someone roaming around somewhere not knowing where they are going.

  But if you broke Rule # 1 - Failed to tell someone where you were going before you took off. Well then you can skip Rule # 2 and go directly to;

  RULE # 3 - Don’t panic and lose your head, S.T.O.P!

  Stop moving, sit down and relax.
  Think where you may have screwed up.
  Observe your surroundings and try back tracking a little bit to see if you can recognize the terrain. And if you don't, sit down, take a deep breath and admit to yourself... "Well it looks like I'm lost, what should I...
  Plan to do next?"

  For starters you should listen up and look for signs of civilization. Such as listening for sounds of vehicles, trains, church bells, factory noise, etc that will give you a general sense of direction as to where civilization may be located. But if you don't hear anything, then look around and go to the nearest and highest ground and from there look for buildings, towns, church steeples, roads, railroad tracks, fences, power lines, telephone lines, etc that will get you back to civilization. If there's no high ground, then climb the nearest and tallest tree.

  But again if you don't see or hear any signs of civilization but you happen to see a stream (creek or river) then follow that instead. As it will not only provide you a source of water for drinking but it will most likely guide you back to civilization or to some trails or roads that will get you back to civilization.

  But should you be on the move and you don't see or hear anything that can help guide you back to civilization and the weather starts to change, the temperature begins to drop and/or darkness is quickly approaching. Then it’s best to stop and stay where you are for the night and begin building a shelter and getting a fire going before it's too late than to risk getting wet, cold and not seeing where you're going.

  For more survival tips like how to build a shelter or start a fire, visit Army Ranger Rick’s web site at www.therangerdigest.com and while there check out his complete line of SOS survival kits and survival manuals.

  As long time subscribers know a couple of times a year we clean out the e-mail Inbox and pass along some of the notes and messages from our readers and visitors to our site and that time has come again. So enjoy another round of "Letters From the Inbox".

  These first two the senders didn’t have the guts to sign their names to their ramblings. I guess they don’t want people to know what losers they are or that they can’t spell and use grammar worth a damn. We normally correct spelling and grammar errors but since they wouldn’t sign their names, screw ‘em.

  "I think it is mean to make food out of the deer around us. There are not that many deer as fish or birds, so why kill deers when we already have food. Also why do people think americans are the ones who are fat becuase they eat fastfood not everyone is." – Signed Loser #1

  "What the f---- Are you guys freaks eating squirrells Stupid people.com is certainly your home b---" - Signed Loser #2 (Notice there’s no punctuation marks?)

  "I like snakes and I know for a fact that snakes don't like to be eaten. You should not cook them anymore" - Daryl Ward

  "Thank your for the recipes for Basque Pheasant and Broiled Breast of Wild Goose. We had these for Easter and were they a hit! I don't like to cook but wow, are these recipes terrific!" - Julie Lokken

  "I can send lots of recipes as I love to cook and as for tips.... I can tell you how NOT to do something. Usually, the things I build fall apart! Aaron, my son, is looking forward to seeing the pix. Keep up the great work." - Dan Marcasol

  "Hi. Just wanted to let you know we got our chili seasoning today and I knew it was here because when I opened the mailbox I could smell it! It smells amazing and I can't wait to try it! Keep up the good work!!! Best wishes and thanks." - Bill Haase

  "I was looking for a recipe for goose when I found your site. I also noticed that you don't have any recipes for buffalo (bison). I use it just like hamburger and add extra virgin olive oil. I have made everything from spaghetti, stuffed shells, to hamburger helper without the box or hamburger. Thank you for your time, I just thought I would share this with you." - Melissa Weddle

  "I am engaged to a redneck and we both just love to coon hunt! What happened to all of the coon hunters?" - Nairi Shea Mckinney

  And finally this note which we ran in the last "Letters From The Inbox" back in February 2008 and one of the responses we received about it.

  "How about you sick mother f----s stop eating squirrels, there are plenty of other animals we can eat but not squirrels. You disgust me you are not human beings you’re cannibals. You make me sick you disgusting sweaty f-----s. Love Abby Wilson"

  And the reader response.

  "In regard to Amy Wilson's diatribe about squirrel eaters being cannibals, all that comes to mind is that she apparently must be squirrel bait, NUTS! I would also like to thank you for your newsletter, I truly enjoy the articles and recipes. By the way, would it be possible to get some good squirrel recipes?" - Ed Jump

  Good squirrel recipes Ed? Don’t get us started.

  Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts with us. We welcome comments from everyone whether they’re positive or negative. After all, the freedom of speech is guaranteed by our Constitution so keep the letters coming.