Safety key as deer hunting season begins

By Kyle Schmidt

Hunters are advised to keep safety top of mind to avoid becoming a target with deer firearms season underway.

Kelsey Gillenwater, a Buchanan County conservation agent, offered tips to those who are on the hunt.

“Make sure you’re wearing your blaze orange. So that requires a vest and a hat or you can wear a long-sleeve or a bright orange jacket,” Gillenwater said. “Orange camo does not meet those regulations.”

The orange allows other hunters to recognize when an individual is in their area to avoid accidents.

There are other things to consider before heading into the woods as well. 

“Make sure you have all your permits. Make sure you have enough clothes, make sure you have clothes that are dry and extra set in your vehicle for when you get back,” Gillenwater said. “Always keep your gloves. Make sure you have your firearms ready to go (and) clean and all the ammunition that you need for that. And, of course, always have toilet paper.”

Assessing surroundings when stationed either on the ground or in a tree is another tip, Gillenwater offered. Hunters should wear a safety harness when in a tree.

Gillenwater also said it’s important to know what’s in the backdrop of the direction the gun is pointed towards. It’s important to be aware of whether there is a backstop or a valley.

Firearms tips consist of making sure the safety is always on and your finger is off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction and equipment cleaned out.

“Always have your gun unloaded going into a tree stand. A lot of people use, safety or ropes and tie their gun to them or hook them up,” Gillenwater said. “Make sure the muzzle is pointed towards the ground when you’re pulling it up into the tree stand.” 

For those who hunt with another person, be aware of each other’s firing lanes and avoid crossing into the other person’s zone. 

If a deer runs onto private property, Gillenwater said to be especially cautious.

“If you don’t have permission to be on that property, you need to get permission before you go and retrieve that deer because that can be a legal concern with trespassing,” Gillenwater said. “Also a safety concern if there’s a hunter over there that doesn’t know you’re going to be over there.”

The firearms deer hunting season runs through Tuesday, Nov. 26.