The thrill of chasing down a twelve-point buck or bagging a prize-winning turkey sends millions of hunters into the woods every year in search of that prize kill. Hunting is exciting, but it can also be dangerous and even deadly if hunters are not educated and religiously exercise good hunting safety techniques.

The Basics

Before leaving on your hunting trip, prepare yourself for a safe experience.  Never go to an unplanned location or take off on  a spontaneous hunting trip.  Let others know where you are planning to hunt and when you will be coming back.  You can even leave detailed directions to your hunting grounds with friends or family that will be staying home in case an emergency comes up and they need to send medical personnel to your location.  Try to return home as close to your planned time as possible.  If you are late checking in, your contact person can then know to set out using your directions to see if you need help.

Always take the time to prepare your weapon.  If using a rifle or shotgun, clean and inspect the weapon after every use and after any time the weapon has been stored.  Keep a small first aid kit with you while you are hunting.   Consider bringing your cell phone. You can always keep it turned off while you are hunting, and a phone can be the difference between life and death. (This is this how I talked my mom into getting me a cell phone a couple of years ago.  A kid can always argue safety with their mom and win!!)  Always be prepared to give detailed directions to your exact location as you move through the woods (turn left at the big tree isn’t exactly helpful!!).

In The Woods

Once arriving at your hunting spot, be sure to put on your safety gear along with orange-colored clothing on your head and/or chest to help other hunters in the area know that you are not the game.  In Tennessee, during deer season hunters must wear orange before stepping into the woods.  The laws are different from state to state so be sure to find out what your state requires. While camouflaged gear is great to help you remain undetected by the animals, it can also confuse other hunters if they see movement from a distance without recognizing the orange color.  If you are hunting in a group, try to keep the location of those around you in your mind as you change positions to help avoid accidents.

If you are using a decoy such as a doe decoy, be sure to use orange safety tape around the perimeter of the area you will be in, to help other hunters recognize your decoy.  You can also observe the area from an elevated position to further protect yourself from any stray shots directed at your decoy.

During The Hunt

If you are hunting deer and find yourself tracking a wounded animal, always use extreme caution.  Other animals in the area may become panicked at the smell of one of their own running wounded near them.  An injured animal is very unpredictable and may likely be desperate to get away if it senses that you are pursuing.  Never approach a wounded animal head-on.  Never allow yourself to be corned between a solid object and a wounded animal.  Always have a way of escape in mind should the animal attack.  If attacked, try to protect your head and chest as much as possible to limit damage to your vital organs and increase your chance of survival.

It is also important to be aware of and on the lookout for other animals like bears and snakes that may be encountered while hunting.  Being aware of your surroundings is an important step in staying safe while hunting.  Use some caution and common sense to ensure many more years of happy hunting yet to come.

Survival Kit

Sometimes it’s easy to lose your way in an unfamiliar wood.  Carrying a compass and maps of the general area that you will be hunting in can help in the event that you get lost.  Carry a flashlight with extra batteries in case you get caught out after dark.  There are also flashlights on the market now that operate by just a shake, eliminating the need for batteries.  Matches in a waterproof case are essential and a sharp knife is good to have as well. A traditional Bowie or a Swiss Army knife both serves the purpose.

Some granola, candy bars, or dried fruit are a good idea to bring along if you are not skilled at finding food in the wild.  Never eat any plants or berries unless you are familiar with what types are poisonous.  If you are unsure of the safety of a plant or its fruit, don’t eat it.  Risking an illness while stranded in the wild is not preferable to an empty stomach.  A bottle or two of drinking water is necessary also.  Humans can survive for weeks without food but only three days without water. You will not want to drink any water found on the land without boiling it for several minutes first to kill off any bacteria or parasites.

It is recommended that you carry a needle and thread in your survival kit.  These materials can be used to repair torn clothing. You can also stitch up a wound to stop heavy bleeding in case an injury occurs and you cannot get medical attention right away.

Most hunters carry a six to eight-foot length of rope to help drag their game back to the truck or haul equipment up into a tree stand.  This rope can be used in many ways if you are stranded in the woods for an extended period of time.  You can use a rope for first aid purposes, to help build a shelter, or to secure equipment during your hike.  You can even string up a makeshift clothesline to dry wet clothing should you fall into standing water.  Be sure to keep your rope with you and not in the truck.

It is also a good idea to wear a belt when out hunting.  A belt can be used as a tourniquet in an emergency, as well to help secure a splint to a limb if necessary.  A belt is one first aid item that you don’t have to cart around either.

Fire safety when stranded

It’s important to follow usual camp safety guidelines when starting a fire under any conditions in the wild.  Always triple check to make sure a fire is completely out before leaving the area to prevent flare ups and a potential forest fire.  Choose an area away from trees and shrubs, and line your pit with small boulders or stones to help contain the embers.
Gather larger logs and sticks and stack them in a teepee fashion.  Then gather small twigs and scraps of paper to use as kindling at the base of your teepee.  Blowing gently on your kindling will help your flames catch hold.  You can use pine boughs to shield your fire from wind if necessary.  You can also use boughs to stand or sit on if snow is present.  This will help insulate your feet from the cold while warming yourself near the fire.