As a game warden and now a game warden supervisor, one of the worst calls that game wardens can receive is that a hunter has been seriously injured, lost while afield or even worse, deceased. All too often our officers are dispatched to incidents throughout the hunting seasons to calls just like I have mentioned. And often, these serious injuries or lost hunters could have been avoided. With the general firearms bear season and firearms deer season upon us, I am going to offer the reader simple solutions and ideas to limit the possibility of a tragedy occurring that will negatively affect not just the hunter, but the hunter’s family and friends alike.

In Pennsylvania, a hunter must enroll in and attend and pass a hunter safety and education course prior to purchasing a hunting license

This is a requirement that is mandated by state law. The course itself does not teach someone to become a great and successful hunter. It’s designed to teach the would-be hunter safety and ethical behavior. All aspects of safe and ethical behavior while hunting is covered, and the curriculum is approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that meet the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) standards. While vitally important, the required hunter safety course is only the beginning while maintaining your safety while afield.

Hunters should have a plan prior to heading out to the wilds of Pennsylvania

Provide your family or friends the location where you plan to hunt. If by chance you find yourself lost or injured, first responders will have an easier time locating you if we have the general location available to us prior to beginning the process of search and rescue. Provide family or friends what time they can expect for you to return as well. This can also aide first responders in the search and rescue process of we can put together a timeline.

If you find yourself hunting from an elevated hunting location, referred to as a treestand, make certain that you are tethered to the tree from the time you start to climb until you are back down on the ground after the hunt. Properly wearing a safety harness and properly using the device, is easy and will save your life if you have an accident.

Wear the required amount of daylight fluorescent orange material that is required by state law. Being seen by other hunters can also be vital to your safety and don’t worry, the deer won’t be able to see the color of your vest.

During the off season and prior to hunting seasons, put together a list of gear and equipment needed to safely make it home should you become lost or injured. This includes flashlights/headlamps, spare batteries, water, small amount of food, proper clothing to include base layers. Obviously, I’m not saying put together a combat kit as one could imagine an infantry soldier rucking through the swamp or desert with. All the items I just listed can be found in my pack, and the weight doesn’t go above 15 pounds.

Another item, and very important item, is a small medical kit

These can be put together by you by simply going to your local pharmacy. Adhesive bandages, tape, sterile dressings, moleskin and gauze are all simple items and easily acquired that can help in an emergency. One item that has proven to literally save lives and that I carry with me almost daily, is a tourniquet. Keep the kit as simple as you would like or use your imagination. Just having some sort of medical equipment on hand in an emergency can literally be the reason you make it home to your family.

At the end of the day, we as hunters all have the same goal in mind and that is to harvest an animal that will provide sustenance to ourselves and family. We take this responsibility seriously and prepare and practice with our equipment for months on end to hopefully accomplish that goal. But more importantly is our ability to return to our homes after a day afield. As a new father to a 5-month-old baby boy, I will not sacrifice my safety and well-being for the feeling of tucking him into bed every night. And neither should you.

Finally, we here with the Pennsylvania Game Commission wish everyone going afield this hunting season the best of luck and most importantly, stay safe out there.

Featured image (top) courtesy of PA Game Commission.