Think About Your Skill Level, Before Entering the Wilderness.

[K0m4]

I subscribe to the "healthy respect". I think that it's good to test your boundaries a little, but as someone said your most important utility is between your ears. The places I frequent the most have civilization rather nearby and animals are generally avoiding people. I do think the OP errs on the side of too much caution - I see no need to first be comfortable in your backyard before going to a park with a campsite a small hike away.

I do agree that winter camping is something that one should approach with caution - this is something I have no experience in yet (even though I am Swedish), so I would prepare a lot, bring several extras of things vital (such as things to keep warm and to make fire), and contingency plan my head off...

[NarlocB]

My dad always said, "Know your limits, plan for the worst and then hope for the best"

But i also believe in the WTF just happened that no one can plan for....My thought if/when i go into the deep back woods, I will have a SPOT GPS tracker with me or something similar with the built in SOS button.

[Black Chrome]

You can learn a lot of info from the Boy Scout handbook. Even more so from the wilderness survival merit badge pamphlet. Paying attention to your surroundings while being prepared and being smart enough to realize when you are in over your head can easily save your life.

[Catavarie]

I agree on the healthy respect thing. Respect Mother Nature - she's beautiful, but dangerous.

+1
Mother Nature isn't out to hurt you, she just doesn't care if you get hurt

Be smart. We got to the top of the food chain using our brains, not because we're bigger, stronger, faster or quicker than anything else. Use the tool between your ears - especially if things go wrong. Try not to panic, but rather think about the situation.
Thinking and planning will keep you out of most trouble. And it'll help you out of most trouble too.

When you feel like you're about to panic, remember to S.T.O.P.

S= Stop what your doing
T=Think about where you're going
O=Observe your surroundings
P=Plan you actions

Often times just chilling out for a couple minutes is all that's needed when things seem to start going wrong.