Hunters, be safe out there!

Though archery season has been in full swing since the beginning of October, modern gun season opens Saturday, and thousands of hunters will flock to the woods in hopes of bagging a trophy buck. While the condition known as “buck fever” can run rampant in several hunters, all should keep in mind hunting safety. The woods can be dangerous, especially when guns are present. The Siftings is providing a list of tips, taken from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Web site, for hunters this season in hopes that they will come back from hunting camp unscathed and, perhaps, with the trophy of their dreams. For more information on hunting safety or regulations, pick up an AGFC 2009-2010 guidebook, available for free at many convenience and general stores.

Make a plan and check your stand
For some, their deer stand has been sitting at the same place, in the weather and wind, since last deer season. If you build your own stands, be sure the wood shows no signs of rotting or cracks. Also check all nails and make sure they are secure. And pay attention to a manufactured stand’s weight limits. Never overload your stand. Inspect it before and after every use for loose nuts and bolts, and replace any worn chains or straps. Never use a stand that has not been inspected thoroughly.
Practice setting up your stand before the hunt to make sure that you are familiar with your stand before you go into the woods and try setting up in the dark. Also, choose a healthy, mature tree for your stand. Steer clear of trees with dead limbs that could fall on you or your stand. Be sure the stand is level at the height you wish to hunt, and always stand and move slowly so you do not lose your balance and risk falling.

Avoid a fatal fall: wear a full-body hoist
One out of every three hunters will eventually take a spill from their stand and, though it may not seem like a long distance, a 20-foot fall can be fatal. Most deer hunting injuries reported every year are the result of a hunter falling from their stands. Just last year, a Conway man hunting in Clark County east of Arkadelphia fell from his stand, and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment to his injuries. A few simple precautions could mean life or death when hunting from a tree stand.
Always wear a full-body harness, even when climbing into your stand or climbing down from your tree. While standard safety belts are better than nothing, a harness will distribute your weight evenly and hold you securely. Some of those who have fallen wearing a standard safety belt found themselves dangling, helpless and upside down, with the belt gripping their waisteline and cutting off circulation to the tops of their bodies. For this reason, it is imperative that a safety belt be worn around the chest.
If you do fall, DON’T PANIC. Try to determine any injuries before getting up. Try to wiggle your feet and legs. If they’re moving, most likely you have not suffered a spinal injury. Check for any broken bones or cuts. Take a safety whistle with you in the woods in case you either fall or have another emergency. Giving three sharp, consecutive whistles will alert others in the area that someone is in danger.

Wear orange, and wear it right
For archery hunters who continue to hunt throughout modern gun season, it is suggested to wear blaze orange — even while in the stand. For others, it is imperative to abide by hunter orange or chartreuse requirements. For deer hunters in Arkansas, the colored area of the safety garment must total at least 400 square inches above the waist. In addition, a hunter orange or chartreuse head garment must be worn. If hunting in an area closed to firearms deer, elk or bear or if hunting migratory birds, the safety colors are not required.
But for others, don’t take off that orange once you’re in the stand. It is even required while inside a box stand.

Never trust a gun’s safety mechanism
Always treat all guns — loaded or not — as though they are loaded and ready to fire. Do not rely on a gun’s safety. Never cross a fence, climb a tree or jump across a stream with a loaded gun, and never hoist a loaded firearm into a hunting stand. Also, never load or transport a loaded firearm until you are ready to use it. Unload firearms before carrying them in any vehicle or ATV.
When you spot your trophy, be aware of your muzzle’s direction and be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions; and be absolutely certain of your target before you shoot.
Know the range of your ammunition and carry only ammunition suited for your firearm, and when not hunting, keep guns and ammunition locked and stored separately.

Other tips
Always use a cord to raise and lower hunting equipment to and from a hunting stand, and make sure firearms are unloaded and broadheads are covered in a quiver before climbing.
Always tell a dependable person where you will be hunting and when you will return. If you are injured and are unable to get out of the woods, that someone will know where to look for you.
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, get out of your stand. High winds can make the stand unstable; and rain, snow and sleet will make the stand slippery.
If you get drowsy, get out of the stand. Many falls result from hunters falling asleep in their stand.
Pack a first aid kit along with your hunting gear, and take plenty of water to stay hydrated. Though a compass is a must, if you find yourself lost, stay put and wait for someone to find you.