Clinton Fire Chief Shares Hunting Safety Information

 Have you seen the 30-pointer? That song will stick in your head for a long time, especially if you live up north. It is playing on every channel in Wisconsin this weekend so you will get used to the words. This weekend is the opening of the deer gun season and many in Wisconsin feel it should be a holiday. There will be an estimated 600,000 hunters taking to the woods in pursuit of “Ole Mossy Horns”.  Although there have been many other hunting seasons that have started, this is the big one. Hunters young and old have been planning all year for the next nine days and for many it’s better than Christmas.

While hunting season is an exciting time for the outdoor enthusiast, it’s imperative that safety be priority number one. When it comes to safety, the old saying is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Let’s brush up on your Hunter Safety Class rules and see how many of them you can remember from class. What does TAB-K mean? The T stands for ‘treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.’ The A stands for ‘always point the muzzle in a safe direction.’ The B stands for ‘be sure of your target and what is beyond’ and the K stands for ‘keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.’ Some other good tips are, to use the proper ammunition that is stamped on your firearm. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care remembering TAB-K. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

Be sure your gun is clean, working properly and the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. Don’t alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly by a competent gunsmith. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using. Treat a misfire as though the gun could fire, at any moment. Make sure the gun is unloaded before attempting to clean it. Do not use alcohol or drugs while handling a firearm. Never smoke in the proximity of a muzzleloader. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.

Remember how to cross a fence? Cross with a partner. Always unload firearms before riding in any vehicle, including ATVs. Watch your muzzle and remember what shooting zones are. Wear blaze orange or fluorescent pink so you can be seen, it’s the law. How much blaze orange or fluorescent pink must you wear? Fifty percent of your upper body, including a hat if worn. If you are hunting birds during the deer season, make sure your dog also wears bright colors. Store guns and ammunition separately. And, in locked storage away from children. Know the range of your firearm. Remember, even a .22 rim fire can travel over 1-1/2 miles. Do you remember how far a 30-06 can travel? How about a 12ga. shotgun shell? Tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. If you move from one area to another, advise someone. Plan your hunt and hunt your plan. Dress for the weather. Remember that we all have had the first stages of hypothermia.

Take a GPS or compass to prevent getting lost, but take time to learn how to use it first. Carry a flashlight and extra batteries while walking through the hunting area before or after daylight. Get some good maps and be familiar with the area you want to hunt. Do some preseason scouting to learn about the area and what you have for access. Learn basic first- aid and carry a first-aid kit. Do you remember how to apply and what direct pressure is? If you are hunting from an elevated stand you need to take extra precautions. Be sure to select the proper tree before hanging a fixed-position stand or using a climbing stand. The tree should be alive and healthy without any noticeable rot or damage. Your tree should also meet the size specifications and restrictions set by the tree stand company. NEVER hunt from a tree stand without a secure and high-quality safety harness. It only takes one fall to suffer a serious injury or permanently end your hunting career. A strong and sturdy safety strap should be attached to both your harness and the tree to prevent you from falling more than 12-inches and adjusted so you can get back into the stand quickly. You only have seconds to get back into the stand before you will become unable to and suffer severe injuries or death. Continuously monitor and inspect your safety harness and tree stands before and during the season to check for wear and tear or possible damage.

When hunting from a fixed position or hang-on stand always inspect the ladder steps and tree stand attachments to make sure everything is tightly secured to the tree. Always use a haul line to pull up your gear, bow or unloaded firearm. Never climb with anything in your hands or attached to your back. Before climbing down, utilize the haul line to safely lower all your equipment on the opposite side of the tree. Be sure to let family and friends know the exact tree stand location that you’re currently hunting. When at all possible, hunt with a friend and always carry a communication device like a cell-phone or walkie-talkie that can easily be reached on your body anytime. Follow the Three-Point Rule, which says always have three-points of contact to your steps or ladder when climbing or descending from your stand. Be aware of slippery and hazardous climbing conditions that may result from rain, sleet, snow or ice, and take the appropriate precautions. When using a climbing stand, make slow, steady, and even movements of no more than 12 inches at a time. You should also make sure some type of safety cord or rope together attaches the climbing section and platform of your stand. Following these important hunter safety tips will help ensure that you have a safe season.

You say “I’m not a hunter why should I read this?” Well, here are some tips to be safe in the woods if you are not a hunter. Wear bright clothing. Make yourself more visible. Choose colors that stand out, like red or orange, and avoid white, blacks, browns, and animal-colored clothing. Orange vests and hats are a good idea. Don’t forget to protect your dog by getting an orange vest if he/she accompanies you. Make noise. Whistle, sing or carry on a conversation as you walk to alert hunters as to your presence. Sound carries well through the woods, and hunters should be listening for any sounds of animal movement. Be courteous; once a hunter is aware of your presence don’t make any unnecessary noise to disturb the wildlife. Avoid confrontations and make yourself  known. Know when the hunting seasons are. Continue to hike, but learn about where and when hunting is taking place. Know your own comfort level. If hunting makes you uneasy, choose a hike in a location where hunting is not allowed, such as a city park or a state park.

Until next week, stay safe

Chief Rindfleisch