Perhaps we should look at areas this has already happened and see how they really dealt with it. It seems most of them go to refugee camps or stay home and deal the best they can. Examples are Bosnia, Somalia, Darfur, etc. Camps are tough, but relatively safe. Individuals trying to make a go of it are preyed on by bands of thugs. This is the only account I can find that recounts a group successfully hiding in the forest in WWII. They were effectively warlords protecting a large group of people with various skills in order to survive.

Bielski Brothers

THE BIELSKI PARTISANS


Bosnia has Perucica, one of the last primeval forests in Europe. I wonder how many fled there?

Here's an account from one from one of the survivors of Bosnia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091401968.html

Here's an account of refugees trying to escape through the forest.

Forest Massacre