Many deer hunters leave their stands in the woods for months. Others take portable stands down at the end of the season and drop them in their garages until the next opening day.
Every year, hunters get in a hurry or lazy, fall from their tree stands and seriously hurt themselves. Many never walk or hunt again—sometimes worse.
Wood rots and metal corrodes when left in the elements. Something could fall against a piece and crack it, and an unnoticed crack could cause problems. Even in a garage, straps deteriorate and animals chew through things.
“Safety is always a vital issue,” hunting consultant Karen Lutto advises. “A loose bolt can not only ruin a good hunt, but ruin a life. Always wear a full harness when in a tree stand.”
Before hunting, check all the parts of a stand or other vital equipment for missing, worn or broken pieces, then replace or repair objects as necessary. Shooting houses may also need attention. Check and clean the windows, and inspect all moving parts, supports and other vital pieces.
Bow hunters should also check their equipment. Look at the sights, strings and other gear, as bowstrings can weaken and break periodically. Some archers replace bowstrings before each hunting season so they know they can send an arrow to the right spot when it counts.
When getting into or out of a stand, always unload your gun. It only takes seconds to reload. Many hunters tie lines to their unloaded guns or bows to pull their equipment up into the stand or let it down to the ground at the end of the hunt. Falling with a loaded gun or razor-sharp broadheads pointed at a person could make a bad situation much worse.
“Always let someone know where you’re going and approximately when you’re going to return so they can go looking for you if you don’t come back on time,” Karen recommends. “Hunt with a buddy whenever possible.
“Be prepared, even if going on a short hike or afternoon hunt. Carry a cellphone and some basic survival supplies like water, food, matches, a flashlight and a knife.”
Hit the shooting range to make sure the bullet goes where it should. Archers need more practice to gain and maintain proficiency, so archers planning to hunt from elevated stands should practice from approximately the same height.
Wearing clothing typically used for hunting is a must, even when it’s hot.
Many bow hunters enjoy competing in archery tournaments that use life-size three-dimensional depictions of wildlife or even some whimsical animals such as dinosaurs as targets. Even if not shooting in a tournament, archers might want to visit a range to shoot 3-D targets in a hunting situation. For example, place targets at unusual angles or partially hidden behind brush or a tree to simulate how a deer might really appear on opening day.
Taking a few steps to prepare ahead of time could prevent serious trouble later.