Hunting Safety Considerations

Hunting is a very exciting experience but not one risk free. Consider you are dealing with wild animals, most of times bigger and stronger than you. Additionally you are on the wilderness, exposed to elements and abrupt terrains.

The aforementioned alone is enough to render an activity dangerous but now add a little bit of gunpowder, a few bullets and a couple of firearms and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

Perhaps you are not a gun hunter but a bow hunter or even a crossbow hunter, but...Are arrows less dangerous than bullets? Probably not, in fact, sharp tools and weapons are responsible of as much hunting accidents than bullets.

After all, you also will be handling knives, sometimes on darkness and under wet conditions, so if you are not carefully, an injury is just crossing the corner.

If you were aware of how many hunting accidents are reported annually, you'll probably thing twice before organizing a hunting expedition but you don't have to stay at home and private yourself of that experience on the wilderness, instead get prepared to prevent any kind of injury and be ready to face an eventual harmful situation properly.

First thing to know is that falls as well joints and muscle injuries are among the most frequent accidents among hunters, followed by minor cuts, so if you are able to keep those kind of problems away, you have gained half way towards safety.

In addition try to follow the following simple rules; keeping them in mind plus the use of common sense will lead your hunting expedition to a happy and safe end.

1. Dress up properly

It seems useless to emphasize something obvious but every year many hunters are caught by a snow storm or heavy rain without being properly dressed. On such situation hypothermia is a real risk and you could be in real trouble because of proper clothes lacking.

So be sure to count with an accurate weather forecast and be prepared to face sudden weather changes, especially on long trials.

2. Be sure to have enough supplies

If you are going out for a one day expedition be prepared to stay out two days. If you are going to be out for a couple of days, count with enough supplies for at least a week. The longer your hunting trip, bigger your extra supplies needs.

Think about it, perhaps you were planning to stay out just a few hours, but a fellow get hurt and you don't make to come back home early. If you have enough supplies, your survival chances will increase.

In long trips you will get far from your start point, and if anything occurs keeping you away more than expected, then you'll need extra supplies to face your travel back without jeopardizing your safety.

So next time you are planning to go hunting, take with you an extra supply of food and water. Perhaps your backpack will be a little bit heavier, but in case of emergency you will be ready.

3. Don't get lost

It's a real danger, especially when hunting on new territories or when you trust exclusively on electronic devices.

Even when a GPS is a very valuable tool, you can run out of batteries or enter on an area with limited satellite reception, so getting lost is a real risk.

To avoid such danger be sure to count with an accurate map of the area as well a compass. In case of problems those simple issues could save your life.

Remember that no matter how much pre-season scouting you did, you are always prone to get lost; even the most experienced hunted have get lost sometime, so be prepared to face that life threatening situation.

4. Use firearms safely

That's more than obvious and if you have passed your hunting safety course (we hope so since it's mandatory to get your hunting license) you know that, however if you wish a deeper look into the topic Click Here.

5. Get enough information

Information is power, so the more you know about your game, the hunting ground and all risks on a particular area, the better. 

Get enough information about the animals habits, previous dangerous behaviors as well the most frequent accidents reported on the area. Knowing that you'll be ready to anticipate and face risks as well.

6. Follow the safer route

Try to avoid cliffs and abrupt terrain as much as possible. No matter if longer, try to follow the safest way to your game.

In case of extreme hunting such as on Mountain Goat Hunting take things easy and try to keep your hunt within your physical and psychological capabilities. Remember that exhaustion is one of the main causes of accidents on all levels, including hunting.

7. Don't forget to wear your Orange Vest

No matter if you are a bow hunter or if firearms are not among your tools; if you are entering on a public hunting land during the firearms season, be sure to wear your orange vest. There's not other way to tell other hunters there's a people out there.

So avoid an accidental shoot; after all it's better to be detected by your game that not bee seen by another hunter, or even worse, being confused with a deeer or any other big game.

8. Set up your blind properly

If you are going to set a blind, try to do it properly and safely, otherwise you could find yourself in problems, especially when entering or exiting from your blind on wet conditions.

To have more detailed information about Hunting Blinds Safety Click Here.

9. Avoid falls

Falls are among the most dangerous situations when hunting, not only because you can suffer from serious injuries or even death but also because a minor issue arisen from a fall could force you to stay out there more than expected, compromising your safety and even your survival.

So, be sure to have proper equipment to avoid falls, that means a good pair of boots, safety harness if you are hunting from an elevated position (tree stand or high blind) as well any other support element to prevent falls.

Remember that being on your two legs is key for survival, so don't underestimate falls.

10. Don't forget your First Aid Kit

Probably you'll need to immobilize an injured ankle or deal with a cut; furthermore, you could need to manage a sever allergic reaction but out in the bushes there's no many medical facilities.

So be sure to know what medical condition or accident you could deal with and set up your first aid kit properly.

What to carry on it will depend of each hunting expedition characteristic but if you do your homework well, you won't have any issues dealing with expected situations.

Despite the aforementioned, the best thing to do is avoiding hunting accidents, so your first aid kit should be never used.

11. Count with a good communication system and provide information to track you

Always count with more than a communication system. Probably you think your cell phone is enough but during a heavy rain, on a poor phone coverage area or without enough battery a cell phone turns useless.

So be sure to count at least with a phone and a dual band radio, that way you will be sure to count with an effective communication system with your hunting fellows as well with emergency management personnel, especially in case of a serious problem.

Additionally, be sure to provide your loving ones at home or a hunting fellow on the camp detailed information about the area you are planning to hunt it, as well how long you will stay.

In case something happens and you are not able to communicate with them, that information will be very valuable to allow a rescue team to track you and provide help.

12. Have a plan.

Be prepared and have a plan in case of an injury. Obviously no one wish to face it, but if it happens you need to be prepared, otherwise the panic will domain the situation and a problematic event could render into a disaster.

If you have a plan and everyone on your team knows what to do in case of an undesirable circumstance such as a hunting accident, the chances of a positive outcome are higher.

Click Here to have more information about how to be prepared in case of an emergency.

A final word would be to use your common sense. If it looks dangerous, probably it is; so stay way from unnecessary troubles and enjoy your hunting tip.

At the end of the day everything is about fun and excitement, you don't need to go back home on an Emergency Chopper.