Hunting Safely

The thrill of chasing down a twelve-point buck or bagging a prize-winning turkey sends scores of hunters into the woods each year looking for that prize kill. Hunting is exciting, but it can likewise be dangerous and even deadly if hunters are not educated and conscientiously exercise good hunting safety techniques.

The Basics

Before leaving on your hunting trip, prepare yourself well. Never go to random location or take off on a spontaneous hunting trip. Let others know where you are intending to hunt and when you will probably be returning. If required, leave detailed directions to your hunting grounds with friends or family that will be staying home in case an emergency arises and they need to direct medical personnel to your physical location. Try to return home as near to your planned time as feasible. If your late checking in, your contact person can then know to set out using your directions to check if you need assistance.

Take the time to prepare your weapon. If using a rifle or shotgun, clean and inspect the weapon after every use and after any time the weapon has spent in storage. Prepare a small first aid kit to carry with you while you are hunting. Consider bringing your cellular phone. You can always keep it switched off while you are hunting, and a phone may be the main difference between life and death in a medical emergency. Always be ready to give detailed directions to your precise location as you undertake the woods.

In The Woods

Once arriving at your selected hunting spot, be sure to don your security gear together with orange-colored clothing on your head and/or chest to help other hunters in the region determine you from the game. While camouflaged gear is great to help you remain undetected by the animals, it can also confuse other hunters if they see movement from a distance without knowing the orange color. If your hunting in a group, try to keep the location of those around you in your head as you change positions to help avoid accidents.

If you are using a decoy like a doe decoy, be certain to use orange safety tape around the perimeter of the area you may be in, to help other hunters recognize your decoy. You can likewise observe the area from an elevated position to further safeguard yourself from any stray shots directed at your decoy.

During The Hunt

If your hunting deer and find yourself tracking a wounded animal, always use extreme caution. Other animals in the area may become panicked at the smell of one of their own running wounded near them. A wounded animal is very unpredictable and could likely be needing to go away if it senses that your pursuing. Never approach an injured animal head-on. Never allow yourself to be corned between a solid object and a wounded animal. Always have a way of escape in mind if the animal attack. If attacked, try to safeguard your head and chest as much as possible to limit injury to your vital organs and improve your opportunity of survival.

It is also important to be conscious of and on the lookout for other animals like bears and snakes that can be encountered while hunting. Being alert to your environment is a significant step in staying safe while hunting. Apply certain caution and good sense to make sure a good many more years of happy hunting yet to come.

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