RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A 16-year-old South Dakota boy who became lost while hunting in Black Hills National Forest says he was scared but still managed to hatch a survival plan.

Austin DuVall, of Rapid City, became lost on Nov. 3 while hunting with his father. He says his hunter's instinct kicked in and he chased after a deer, and soon found himself alone and without his bearings.

Austin tells the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/ZzKBWO ) he relied on skills he learned in a hunter safety course and from Gary Paulsen's teen-survival story "Hatchet." He eventually found a stream and followed it to an occupied cabin, finding safety after 16 hours.

Austin says he hopes others learn from his experience. He says make a plan and stick to it - and keep a level head.