Hunting Safety Tips

Use These Safety Tips

Hunter safety is every hunter’s responsibility. Just one careless hunter in the woods can result in disaster.  In 2000, the state of Michigan reported 3 fatal falls and 3 shootings during bow season alone. The majority of hunting related accidents occur when a hunter continues to hunt after dusk or when they fail to properly identify a target. Tree stand falls also account for a large percentage of hunting accidents, and drugs and alcohol have also been cited as a major factor in hunting accidents. Almost all hunting accidents are a result of carelessness.

Hunting Safety Tips

Follow these hunter safety tips to keep your hunting excursion safe.

*Always identify your target. If you are unsure of what is causing the movement or noise, never fire.

* Never hunt after dark or before dawn.

* Carry an emergency whistle, compass, and maps while hunting. A cell phone has become a popular hunting safety tool as well. Just switch it off to avoid spooking your prey.

* Check your pack and shake out discarded clothing to check for stow away snakes.

* Always handle a firearm as if it were loaded.

* Never point the muzzle of a weapon toward yourself or another person.

*Check beyond your target for highways, other hunters or residential dwellings. Never shoot if the area beyond your target is not clear. Do not shoot at animals when they are on top of a ridge since you cannot see what is beyond them.

*Unload your bow and rifle before climbing up a tree stand. Use a rope tied to your sling to raise and lower your weapon from the stand.

*Always use a safety harness when in a tree stand to prevent injury should you slip. Leave about one foot of slack to allow movement and prevent injury should your stand collapse.

* Inspect your stand for loose or missing bolts before climbing.

* Stack your equipment on the opposite side of the tree you plan to climb. This will keep you from falling on your gear should you slip while climbing.

* Never nap in a tree stand.

* Climb down from a stand if winds pick up or if it begins to rain or snow.

* Avoid dressing in colors that could be mistaken for game. Avoid blues, white and black when turkey hunting. 

* The best way to signal your position to an approaching hunter is to speak in a clear voice. Waving, whistling and standing up suddenly can startle a hunter.

*When carrying your prey out of the woods, wrap it in regulation orange to prevent another hunter from mistaking it for live game.

* Consider dressing in camouflage hunter orange. Camouflage hunter orange is legal in some states as long as 50% of the surface area is solid hunter orange.

*Always leave an itinerary with friends and family and let them know where you will be hunting and when you will return.

*Carry your weapon with both hands and keep the chamber empty when walking to prevent accidental discharge during a fall.

*Leave the alcohol and drugs at home. Even over the counter drugs can impair your judgment.

*Unload your weapon before riding an ATV.

*Always wear regulation orange to help other hunters identify your position.

Following these safety tips will prevent the most common types of hunting accidents. Keep your emotions in check and use common sense when hunting to prevent accidents.