ARTICLE'S - 9 & 10

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"HOW DANGEROUS IS HUNTING REALLY?"

“Here’s the figures on how safe this blood sport really is.”

How can a sport where adults and young run around the woods and over water while carrying loaded firearms really be? Each hunting season newspapers and television news broadcast inform the public of hunting tragedies ranging from accident shootings and drownings, to fatal falls from treestands. Is hunting just an accident waiting to happen? I mean, is it really so dangerous that even the Vice-President of the United States is not safe to join on a hunting trip to the woods?

Most, but not all hunting accidents involve firearms. In the United States accidental deaths involving firearms comprise less than 1 percent of accidental deaths or about 700 deaths a year nationwide annually. In a recent report from the National Safety Council, a nonprofit public service organization, revealed an amazing 48 percent decline in accidental firearm-related deaths in the past decade. According to the National Safety Council, which keeps tabs on accidents in its “Injury Facts 2005-2006” publication, no other category of accidental death has declined as much in recent years. Some statistics from the National Safety Council: The average Americans chances of dying are as follows, which means we need to put restrictions on furniture.

In any accident

1 in 23
By a vehicle while walking 1 in 612
Fall from bed, chair, furniture 1 in 4745
Firearm accident 1 in 4888

It is worth noting that annually, fatal hunting accidents occur at a rate of 80 to 90 persons per year. That is only 12 to 15 percent of the national average of deaths by accident use of firearms. Conversely, each year in the United States, there is 1,500 to 1,800 people that drown, and another 800 to 875 people killed in boating accidents. Ironically, hunting accidents are one of the few categories of fatal accidents that have been in decline over the past to decades. Mandatory Hunter Safety Classes are credited with this remarkable occurrence.

Most states DNR’s offer hunter safety courses during late summer and early fall prior to the start of hunting seasons. Volunteer instructors are also dedicated hunters and prefer to be in the woods than in the classroom during hunting season. Some courses are also offered in the spring prior to spring turkey season.

Volunteer instructors schedule each course. Some are completed in a weekend, while others may take several week nights and a day during the weekend to complete. Some courses may have a fee of up to $6 to offset expenses incurred by instructors and cover use of facilities. Hunting safety, and particularly the safe handling of firearms is a major part of the course. Below is a list of firearms safety tips for novice and experienced hunters alike.

"Firearms Safety Tips"

  • Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Watch the muzzle! Prepare to control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.
  • Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only ammunition of the proper size for the gun you are carrying.
  • Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger; know identifying features of the game you hunt.
  • Unload guns when not in use. Take down or have actions open. Guns should be carried in cases to the shooting area.
  • Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to shoot or kill. Do not play with a firearm.
  • Never climb a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun. Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
  • Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or water.
  • Store guns and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults. Consider using trigger locks.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages and medications that cause drowsiness before or during use of a firearm.

Treestand safety is another important are of concern when calculating the dangers of hunting. The treestand is one of the most popular pieces of equipment used by deer hunters. Treestands can be dangerous if they are used incorrectly or carelessly. Nationally, one in three hunting injuries involves a tree stand.

Falls from tree stands can be caused by a variety of factors, including a weakness in the stand’s structure and incorrect installation. Hunters also may fall asleep while on their stands. Tree stands can also be a factor in other hunting accidents, including injury from accidental firing of a loaded firearm while the hunter is climbing to the stand. To help prevent these accidents, follow these safety precautions:

Never carry equipment with you while climbing. Use a haul line to raise or lower your gear. Make sure guns are unloaded and broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering firearms or bows with a haul line.

Since most accidents occur when hunters are climbing up or down a tree, always use a climbing belt. Always use a safety belt or harness when hunting from elevated tree stands. Study manufacturer’s recommendations before using any equipment. Never use a rope to replace a safety belt.

Check permanent tree stands every year before hunting from them, and replace any worn or weak lumber.

Read, understand and follow the factory recommended practices and procedures when installing commercial stands. Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts each time they are used.

Choose only healthy, living trees when using climbing devices. Rough-barked trees such as oak are best. Do not use a tree that is rotten or has dead limbs.

Never put all your weight on a single branch. Keep at least one hand and one foot on a secure place when reaching for the next hold.

Climb higher than the stand and step down onto it. Climbing up onto it can dislodge it.
  • Wear boots with non-skid soles, because steps or platforms can be slippery in rain, sleet or snow.
  • Tell a dependable person where you’re hunting and when you plan on returning. Map your whereabouts and leave a note at camp, at home or in your car so that you can be found.
  • Don’t fall asleep. This is a common cause of accidents. If you get drowsy, move your arms rapidly until you feel alert.
  • Never wear a ring in any climbing situation. Rings can catch on tree limbs and equipment.
  • As a precautionary measure, remove all logs, upturned and cutoff saplings, rocks and other obstructions on the ground below the tree stand.
  • Use updated equipment. When used properly, newer tree stand equipment is solid, safe and secure. Older models of safety belts offer some protection, but newer safety harnesses offer more protection.
  • Carry a whistle to call for help and carry a first aid kit, flashlight and cellular telephone in a fanny pack.