Be Safe this Hunting Season
As much as people don’t like red tape, safety regulations are vital for everyone who enjoys hunting and wants to continue hunting. Here are a few things to consider before you head out.
Practice makes proficient: It never hurts to practice your firearm safety, whether you’re an experienced hunter or brand new to the sport. Whenever you’re holding your firearm, treat it as if the gun is loaded. Please don’t point it in the direction of anyone around you, and keep your finger off the trigger. If you’re ready to shoot, make sure of your surroundings and that there’s no one behind your target that could get hit.
Layer up: The elements can be just as dangerous as a firearm if you’re not prepared. Hypothermia, dehydration, and sunstroke are all preventable conditions that can turn life-threatening quickly. It’s always better to be too warm than too cold, so make sure you wear comfortable, breathable layers you can remove if you start getting overheated. Avoid cotton materials as they retain moisture and have a water-repellent outer layer in case it rains. It never hurts to bring extra socks just in case yours get wet.
Check-in: Not only should you always let someone know you’re going hunting but let them know when you’re leaving and when you expect to return home. Anything can happen in the great outdoors, and cell service isn’t always reliable. No one can help if you get into trouble and they don’t know where you are. Bring a portable charger for your phone; even if you’re out of the service area, you can still call 911 if you get into trouble, but only if you’ve got the battery power.
Be seen: The last thing anyone wants when hunting is to be mistaken for an animal. As cool as all that camouflage gear looks, it doesn’t help distinguish you from the wildlife to another hunter, so make sure you’ve got enough orange on your person. Ontario requires anyone hunting deer, moose, and elk to wear solid hunter orange clothing 400 square millimeters above the waistline and a solid hunter orange headcover. Better to be seen than to be at the end of an accident.
A good hunter knows that safety is paramount for the sport. Always check the requirements and regulations before heading out; it makes the sport that much more enjoyable for everyone, including those left home waiting for your return with the game you caught!
