What should every hunter carry to ensure they can start a fire in emergencies?

Carrying fire-starting equipment is essential for every hunter because it encompasses a variety of tools and materials specifically designed to help ignite a fire quickly and effectively in emergency situations. This equipment can include items such as waterproof matches, lighters, fire starters made of magnesium or other flammable materials, and tinder. The advantage of having dedicated fire-starting equipment is that it is usually designed to function under adverse conditions, meaning it can be more reliable than standard matches or improvised methods when you need a fire for warmth, signaling for help, or cooking.

While lightweight matches, a multi-tool, and extra kindling may be useful in certain scenarios, they don't provide the same level of assurance for fire-starting capabilities. Lightweight matches might not remain effective in wet conditions, a multi-tool, while versatile, may not include specific fire-starting features, and extra kindling is useful for maintaining a fire but not for starting one initially. Hence, fire-starting equipment represents the most reliable choice for ensuring that every hunter is prepared for potential emergency situations.