Published: October 14, 2009 07:54 am      

Be Safe in the Woods

The onset of cold weather doesn’t just mean it’s harvest time for the farmers. It also means hunters will be hitting the woods for deer, turkey and other animals to reap the benefit of their scouting and patience throughout the rest of the year.

While out in the woods this year, however, be mindful of your safety and the safety of your companions. There are some precautions to make sure your outing ends up with stories around a camp fire rather than an ambulance ride or worse.

1.) Inform a friend or family member of where and when you will be hunting and when they can expect you to check back in with them upon your return.

2.) Be mindful of weather conditions and the terrain. Bring suitable equipment and clothing.

3.) Mind proper weapon and firearms etiquette (keep the safety on, don’t shoot while your companions are in front of your position, etc.). Visit http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/publications/firearms.htm for other firearm safety tips.

4.) Wear some items of clothing with blaze orange on them to alert other hunters who may be in the area to your presence.

5.) Wear a harness when in a tree stand. Be careful when climbing to and from your tree stand. Do not climb with your weapon. Use a rope to raise and lower your weapon.

To learn more about hunting safety, visit http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/courses.htm

— Justin Lofton