IDNR is making it a top priority to ensure safety during the upcoming deer season’s first firearm hunting weekend of Nov. 17-19.
Most hunting incidents that occur—23 of the 29 from last year—actually involve hunters falling from elevated tree stands. IDNR requests hunters using tree stands should use a Fall Arrest System (FAS) safety harness, as 80 percent of tree stand accidents occurred due to hunters not using the restraint system.
IDNR Conservation Police are also reminding hunters with a firearm to follow these safety tips:
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and never assume a firearm is unloaded;
• Always point a firearm in a safe direction;
• Be sure of the target, and make sure there are no other hunters, homes, buildings, vehicles or other animals beyond the target;
• Keep their finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until they are ready to shoot.
Further guidelines and safety tips can be found at http://www.huntercourse.com. The Firearm Deer Season begins Nov. 17-19 and ends on the Nov. 30-Dec. 3 weekend.