Hunting is not for the weak; it’s a high-risk, high-reward type of sport. However, there are measures you can take to reduce the risk significantly. Taking precautions can be the difference between you coming home with a huge prize or a broken leg. Read on for hunting safety tips to reduce risk and boost results!
Avoid Injuries & Accidents
You can’t always control the state of your body or the natural factors that cause injuries and accidents. Sometimes taking a tumble is part of the sport. Hunters are no strangers to challenging treks through the woods and climbs over hills. Common falls result when hunters situate themselves on a steep slope or up in a tree and become started by surrounding animals and sounds. The key here is to remain present, aware, and attentive to your environment. Using the proper gear for these scenarios can also boost hunting safety.
Hunting safety harnesses and tree saddles dramatically reduce the risk of falling from trees or other raised platforms. They do so by allowing hunters to strap their body harnesses to lineman’s ropes on the tree or platform. This provides much more support and risk reduction for hunters during their expeditions. Hunting tree stands and tree saddle platforms are also good to have in your arsenal of hunting gear. They provide a platform to hunt from trees, even if there are no sturdy branches to stand on. There are a variety of designs to choose from, including hunting stand seats for comfortable hunting. Seated hunting stands offer comfort, camouflage, and safety to your hunting regimen. Having the right gear is half the battle to following hunting safety tips!
Stay Connected
As a hunter, you’ll likely find yourself in remote locations often. This includes vast fields, high mountain tops, and deep forests. A lot can go wrong while you’re out there, from icy lake accidents and hypothermia to poisonous snake bites and mountain lion attacks. You may be able to handle some of these situations independently, but it’s a sound idea to stay connected to people who can help as a fallback. Letting friends or family know where you’re going and what your plans are before an expedition is always a good idea so they can help locate you if you were to go missing.
Communications devices in the wild can also be serious lifesavers, allowing you to reach your hunting partners in remote locations where there may not be cell signals. GMRS radios are a popular communication tool for Jeep owners and off-roaders alike, with their unique ability to allow for communication off the grid. They operate at higher frequencies than regular citizen band radios. This increases the range of distance off-roaders and hunters can communicate in. They also allow users to access helpful weather updates, providing the information and connection to keep hunters safe while in the wild.
Learn First Aid and CPR
We highly recommend getting First Aid and CPR certified before going hunting, as it isn’t uncommon for hunters to fall victim to heart attacks and other injuries. The highly strenuous physical activities of climbing steep terrains, stalking prey, shooting animals, and dragging their carcasses for prolonged periods of time can get those heart rates up. Know the signs of heart attacks before you venture out. Signs include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, heartburn, lightheadedness, and more. Learning how to do chest compressions with your hands could be the difference that saves a life. These aren’t just hunting safety tips, but general survival skills you can apply to every aspect of your life. Having first aid and CPR training, along with a reliable first aid kit is a must for your hunting pack!
Wear The Right Gear
If you haven’t heard, guns are loud! The sudden release of immense pressure is what creates these bangs and booms. In order to do its job, the bullet needs to be propelled forward by a powerful force, which is why a literal explosion occurs inside the barrel. Gases also exit the barrel at a supersonic speed, making both protective earmuffs and protective eyewear a requirement. Don’t take chances or tempt fate when it comes to your eyes and ears- these are precious valuables you need to hunt another day!
In addition to your glasses and earmuffs, be sure to wear the signature shade of blaze orange when you head out for your hunting jaunt. This makes you visible to other hunters, preventing them from mistaking you for prey and accidentally hunting you.
Deer do not see in the same capacity as humans and do not perceive orange as a bright, eye-catching hue. They don’t see very far in the distance and the color orange is not on their color spectrum. They notice blues, violets, and browns. Turkeys can see orange, so if these are the prizes you’re after, you may need to look into a good hunting blind, such as the Ghostblind Phantom Mirror Hunting Blind for camouflage anywhere. Bears can also see orange, but they operate through their sense of smell more than anything. Bear sprays and other scents such as pepper spray and ammonia can be used to conceal your scent and deter the bears.
Mind Your Equipment
As you must before with your body on the trails, you must also handle your gear with immense care. Many wise experts suggest that you should always treat every gun as if it’s loaded. This is one of the most important hunting safety tips to avoid tragic catastrophes. It’s always safer to assume that a firearm is loaded and avoid ever placing a finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot a target. Be mindful of the muzzle, too, keeping it in a safe direction. Ricochets can happen, so keep yourself and others out of the line of crossfire!
When using harnesses and tree stands, double-check them to avoid any falls. If a tree stand has been up for a while, it has been exposed to the elements for a prolonged period of time and may be prone to deterioration. Test it before putting your full weight on it and use safety harnesses as a failsafe. Tree stands are around 15 feet high, and falls from these heights can be paralyzing or deadly. Take the time to assess and update your tree stands if necessary, and make use of the proper protective harnesses.
Follow Hunting Safety Tips & Live to Hunt Another Day
It can take some extra time and planning to take safety precautions for hunting. However, these preventive measures can save you time and energy in the end, and maybe even a life! Plus, your hunting game will be on point with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve taken precautions and made preparations. Use these hunting safety tips to stay safe and live to hunt another day!
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