From the November 2003 issue

DEC Encourages Hunters to Be Aware of Safety Concerns

With nearly 700,000 hunters in New York State, only 31 injuries were reported in 2001. This figure represents a decline in hunting accidents of more than 60 percent during the past 35 years. One reason for the decline undoubtedly is the state's mandatory hunter education course, which was first implemented in 1949.

Hunters can avoid virtually all shooting incidents related to hunting by practicing the few simple safety rules below:

Assume that every gun is loaded, and be sure that all guns are unloaded when not in use (never take chances with any firearm)
Control your gun by pointing the muzzle in a safe direction
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
Be sure of your target and beyond
Remember to wear hunter orange

The view on the left shows how a hunter dressed in fluorescent orange would look to another person; the view on the right shows how the same hunter would look to a deer, based on research showing that deer are red-deficient color blind

Wear Fluorescent Clothing

The effectiveness of flourescent orange safety clothing has been proven. Four out of five hunters wear hunter orange, and since 1992, not one of them was mistaken for a deer and killed. However, in the decade beginning in 1992, 18 hunters who did not wear hunter orange were mistaken for deer and killed.

Scientific studies indicate--and the experience of millions of hunters confirms--that deer are not alerted by hunter orange. These studies show that deer are very sensitive to colors in the green range, but the color orange appears much less bright to them than it does to humans. That explains why successful deer hunting has continued to increase even though hunters have been wearing fluorescent orange clothing.

Don't Be Careless

Nearly half of the hunting-related shooting incidents in recent years have resulted from unintentional discharges. Injuries from unintentional discharges have decreased only 3 percent during the past decade, compared to a 25 percent decline in shooting injuries. DEC safety experts urge hunters to practice constant muzzle control, keeping the safety on at all times and fingers outside the trigger guard while carrying firearms.

Save a Life, Including Your Own

Hunters who notice that another hunter's finger is inside the trigger guard even though he or she is not shooting, or who see a gun barrel momentarily swinging in an unsafe direction, should remind their companions of proper safety rules. Most injuries from unintentional discharges are self-inflicted, with the remainder injuring friends and relatives.

Pace Your Hunting

Hunters should avoid overexertion, pacing themselves according to their physical limits. Exhaustion can lead to carelessness in carrying firearms, slower reaction time and decreased shooting accuracy.

Know Where Others Are in Your Vicinity

Pay attention to everyone else who is in the area, especially during deer drives. Most hunters like to use their knowledge of the deer's natural habitats and movements, but some hunters still organize "drives," herding deer toward other waiting hunters. Many hunting injuries in New York State have resulted from this practice.

Use Tree Stands Carefully

While firearms-related hunting injuries are declining significantly, falls from tree stands continue to cause dozens of injuries. In recent years, several New York State hunters died as a result of falls. To minimize the possibility of such an injury, hunters should abide by the following rules:

Strap in first with a body harness and short safety line
Raise and lower your UNLOADED weapon with a rope
Wear a fall restraint when climbing up or down a tree
Use a reliable PORTABLE tree stand

Safety equipment for hunters has improved significantly. The best option is a full-body harness that supports a person's weight by the torso and legs. Such harnesses are available in sporting goods stores and from on-line and mail order retailers. It is important to keep the tether short to prevent long falls and allow a fallen hunter to use the tree stand to right himself or herself.

DEC is always looking for experienced hunters and trappers to pass on the traditions of safety, responsibility and conservation to the next generation. Volunteers can apply for free training to learn how to teach courses to new hunters. If you are interested in joining DEC in this rewarding activity, call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 for an application and information on becoming an instructor, or visit DEC's website.