Life Outdoors Magazine (Jan/Feb 2020)

RUGGED DURABILITY
LARGE SELECTION IN STOCK - IN HOME DELIVERY
SAFETY
the Golden Rule of Hunting
When it comes to hunting, there is no rule more important than SAFETY!
Teaching, preaching, and abiding by all of the proper regulations of hunting
and gun safety, can make all the difference between a safe and successful
hunting trip turning into an emergency situation.
GET TO KNOW YOUR WEAPON
Get to know your firearm before you plan to take it hunting. Make sure you
know how to safely carry, load and unload it with the proper ammunition, and
what to expect when you pull the trigger. All guns shoot differently, so it’s
important to plan some practice time at a designated shooting range before
you take it hunting. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED
AND READY TO SHOOT
Always treat firearms as if they are loaded and ready to shoot! Only aim at what
you intend to shoot and kill. Clearly identify your target, its surroundings, and
what is past your target in the line of fire. Keep the safety button on until you
are ready to pull the trigger. Don’t place your finger on the trigger until you’re
ready to shoot. Never point a gun at or in the direction of another person.
TELL SOMEONE
Never head out to the woods without letting someone know where you will be
hunting and when you plan to return. If you decide to change the location you
are hunting, make sure to advise someone of your new location.
DRESS THE PART
Make sure to wear the proper amount of blaze orange, or as some call it,
“Safety Orange” or “Hunter’s Orange,” the state you are hunting in requires.
The color is bright and bold, but can’t be distinguished by deer. Wearing blaze
orange in the woods is intended to enhance the safety of the hunter so other
hunters can distinguish them from a possible animal rustling in the bushes.
Make sure to check your state’s requirements for the amount of blaze orange
you are required to wear.
Always make sure to check the weather to determine the proper clothing to
wear in the woods. Temperatures as high as 50° can leave hunters at risk of
hypothermia in cold, wet conditions. Dress in layers and wear the proper gear
to keep you warm and dry.
Tree Stand Hunter Safety
KEEP YOUR PHONE ON YOUR PERSON
Should you fall out of your tree stand, your cell phone is worthless to you if it’s
in your backpack, hanging on your stand or the tree. Keep your cell phone on
your person so you can call for help in case of an emergency.
BUDDY SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
Always install, check, and perform maintenance to your tree stand with the
assistance of at least one other person. All parts of the tree stand should be
thoroughly checked out with any necessary maintenance performed before use
every season. Checking your stand before you climb into it each time during
the season is important to make sure that nothing has altered the security of
your stand.
SECURE YOURSELF
Always wear a proper fitting, full-body harness in your tree stand with a
suspension release device, and know how to use it. If hunting in a climbing
stand, make sure that your full body harness is attached securely to the tree
before you begin to climb. If you’re hunting a ladder stand, attach the harness
before securing the platform to the tree or standing on it. Step onto the
platform carefully by slowly putting your weight on it will also help keep your
balance. Make sure to wear non-slip boots or shoes to avoid slipping.
SUNS UP, GUNS UP
Never climb your stand carrying your weapon and/or equipment! Always use a
haul line to raise your gear up to your stand once you are safely situated. Make
sure your weapon is unloaded before attaching the haul line and never attach
the line around or near the trigger or trigger guard. If bow hunting, make sure
broadheads are covered before raising or lowering a bow.
SAFETY FOR NON-HUNTERS
NEAR HUNTING AREAS
So, you’re not the hunting type, but enjoy adventuring into the great
outdoors for other activities? Keep in mind that there is a lot of publicly
accessible hunting land that may also play host to other non-hunting
activities. Even if you are on private land, you could be near neighboring
land where hunters are, so it’s important to know your property lines
and surroundings. Before heading out to share nature that is near or
could be in the same location as hunters, make sure to take the proper
precautions to stay safe while you explore!
WEAR BRIGHT COLORS
Always wear bright colors that stand out from natural or earthy tones.
Anything white, black, brown, earthy, or animal colored, could make
you resemble an animal, making you a target. Blaze orange hats and
vests are the advisable, simple way to dress for safety.
MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN
Hunters strive to be super quiet in the woods so they can hear movement
and not startle the animals. Nonhunters, on the other hand, need to
make some noise! Whistling, singing, or talking are good ways to make
your presence known and acknowledged by hunters in the area. Sound
carries well in the woods and forests, so hunters should be able to
distinguish you as a human quickly. If you spot a hunter in the woods, be
courteous to their activity.
Once you have made yourself seen and heard, kindly reduce excessive
loud noise that might scare off the animals they are hunting.
PROTECT YOUR PET
In order to keep your pet safe in the woods, it’s important to keep your
dogs on a leash, especially if they like to chase deer. Putting a blaze
orange vest and/or collar on your pet is also a good way to keep them
safe and seen.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Make sure you know when hunting seasons are and if the area you
are planning to explore allows hunting. Most state and national parks
typically don’t allow hunting, but it’s always best to know before you go!
WHEN IN DOUBT, JUST STAY OUT
If hunting makes you uneasy, pick a place to explore and enjoy activities
where hunting is not allowed or in season. If you know of an area that
is known for hunting sports, it’s usually best to keep a distance until
hunting season is over.
2223 SUMMERHILL ROAD / TEXARKANA, TX / 903.794.7491
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