When it comes to hunter safety, learn it, preach it, and – most of all – practice it yourself, because it’s easy to get overconfident and become careless. Always remain conscious of safety when you head to the woods. Lake of the Woods offers the best of all seasons for the hunt.
Whether you are hunting for grouse, ducks or geese this fall season, it is never redundant to practice hunter safety. While this season is full session, hunters of white tail deer are already preparing for the season to come. MN Department of Natural Resources is a great source of information for all seasons. There you will find a listing of licenses needed and also the dates of seasons for all species. The following discussion is about looking ahead to the white tail deer season and precautions to take and think about before the season starts.
One of the most common way hunters get hurt is by falling from a tree stand. Many of these falls happen getting in or out of a tree stand. It is important to be connected to the tree at all times. Take a few extra minutes this year to take that one extra step to be safe! Your life and well being may depend upon it.
Tree stand safety:
1. Always carry a cell phone and keep it on yourself. Don’t put it in a pack that you may take off and hang in the tree because if you fall you want your phone readily available to call for help.
2. Always install and maintain treestands with at least one other person.
3. Check all your steps and straps and replace anything that is worn or weathered.
4. Always wear a full body harness when in a treestand. Wear it properly.
5. Always use a rope to pull up your gun or bow.
6. Be aware of your surroundings and never shoot towards another hunter.
Gun safety:
1. Become familiar with your firearm. Know how to carry it, load it, unload it, and know what to expect when you pull the trigger.
2. Always assume every gun is loaded and always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Never point your gun at another person.
3. Never put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot.
4. Your firearm has a safety. Keep it in the ‘On’ position until you intend to shoot.
5. Be sure of your target and what is behind it before pulling the trigger.
There are so many different ways for a hunter to get injured or worse during the deer season, but more injuries and deaths are caused by falls from treestands during the deer season than any other type of accident.
Wear Blaze Orange!
The visible portion of a cap and outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, must be blaze orange when hunting or trapping during any open season where deer may be taken by firearms (including special hunts, early antlerless, youth seasons and muzzleloader). Blaze orange includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange within each square foot.
Some safety tips for nonhunters:
- Wear bright clothing. Choose colors that stand out, like red, orange or green, and avoid white, blacks, browns, earth-toned greens and animal-colored clothing. Blaze orange vests and hats are advisable.
- Don’t forget to protect pets. Get an orange vest for an accompanying dog.
- Make noise. Whistle, sing or carry on a conversation when walking to alert hunters that someone is in the area. Sound carries well across woods and forests, and hunters should listen for any sounds of animal movement.
- Be courteous. Don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife. Avoid confrontations.
- Make presence known. If a nonhunter hears shooting, the person should raise their voice and let hunters know they’re in vicinity.
- Know the dates of hunting seasons. Learn about where and when hunting is taking place.
- If hunting makes a nonhunter uneasy, the nonhunter should choose a hike in a location where hunting is not allowed.
It is a wonderful time of the year with so many traditions and memories past and yet to be made. Take a couple minutes of caution to ensure all the memories are positive ones. Good luck hunting!
Last modified: 09/24/2020
