Staying Safe on Your Hunting Trip
Millions of Americans hunt either for sport or recreation each year. Before heading out on your first or next hunting trip, it’s important to practice safety. Listed below are a few tips to make your outing a safe venture.
Securing Your Gear
With the fall hunting season well underway, many people already have plans in place for their next trip. Since COVID-19 is still present, some are opting out of flying or boat trips to reach their destination. This leaves many hunters choosing to remain local. The last thing you need is your rifles, bows, and knives finding their way into the front seat during your travels. One way to prevent this from happening is by storing guns on your truck. Installing a rack provides a place for everything, neat, secure, and easily accessible. Depending on your year and make of truck, you can find custom solutions. Companies like Decked make a Ram truck bed storage for our Dodge that fits right into the bed and organizes as much camping and hunting gear as we need.
Bright Clothing
Per state regulations, if you’re out on the hunt for big game, you need to wear something that’s fluorescent either in pink or orange. This allows other hunters to quickly identify you instead of mistaking you for a wild animal. It doesn’t need to be your full attire, just one article of clothing which can include a hat, jacket, or sweater.
Check the Weather
The environment can change rapidly due to inclement weather. A severe thunderstorm or snowstorm can put you at a greater risk of sustaining an injury. Avoiding going out in dangerous weather is always in your best interest. Most seasoned hunters bring a change of clothing just in case they are caught in the elements.
Practice Using Targets
Knowing the range you can reach effectively will ensure that you hit your target versus making them aware of your presence. Practice at an outdoor shooting-range or in an open field ahead of your trip. It’s also beneficial to know the effects of a pull on the body. This allows you to change equipment if needed. Additionally, check your rifles, arrows, and compound bows to ensure they are in good working order.
Always Identify Your Target
As a novice hunter, you may be anxious to hit your first target. When in the woods, make sure that you clearly identify the target. Don’t assume that a noise or a movement is a deer or other large animal. Other hunters may be in the area and the last thing you want is to cause a fatal injury.
Camouflage Has Limitations
Camouflage is something hunters use to remain discreet and hidden from view outdoors. However, if animals can’t see you, that usually means other hunters can’t either. If you use a blind, make sure to attach fluorescent ties at the ends to let hunters know you are there.
Your First Time
It’s unwise to head out alone on your first hunting trip. A better experience for all is to bring a few hunters with years of experience along. They can teach you the right and wrong way of doing things and make your outing enjoyable.
Make Others Aware of Your Location
In the event of a hunting emergency, it’s important that others know where you are. Getting a signal on your cell phone in the middle of the woods isn’t always achievable. You should leave a note that states where you are going and the time you plan to return. This is especially important when hunting in a new location where the territory is unfamiliar.
Carry First Aid
Anything can happen out in the wild. Having a first aid kit will give you everything you need to apply treatment to a minor injury. Look for a kit that includes medical gloves, a tourniquet, pressure wrap, blister dressings, and a chest seal. Hunting is a favorite American recreational sport that many people enjoy. Make sure to practice safety first.
