Big game season opens in the NY Southern Zone for rifle hunters tomorrow (Saturday, November 16th). As I mentioned in a previous column about elevated (tree) stands, my first thoughts always turn towards safety. Yours should, too. 

The number of fatalities and incidents while hunting has been trending down significantly over the decades since states started making hunter safety courses mandatory. Together we can take those numbers even lower.

When I first took a hunter safety course from the NY DEC, it was 4 hours long. The instructor taught us the four basic rules of firearms safety.  

The current DEC Hunter Education Program courses are a minimum of seven hours long. Why? They cover so many more aspects of safety than they used to. Tree stand safety is covered. Basic first aid is covered. Hypothermia, frostbite, heat stroke and similar topics – and more importantly how to prevent them – are covered. Getting lost and how to avoid getting lost are in there, too.

Speaking of getting lost (that never happens to any of us, right?), the very first thing everyone going outdoors needs to do is to tell other people where you are going and what time you intend to be back. 

Anyone can slip on a loose rock and twist or break an ankle. Your loved ones need to know when you will be back so that they can sound the alarm if you are significantly late. Rescuers need to know where to look for you. If your plans change, let people know. We live in an age of cell phones. Make a call. Send a text. Let people know if you will be heading somewhere else.

Speaking of cell phones, are you aware that your cell phone can make an emergency call (in many cases) even if it shows “No Service” for your current reception? The law states that cell phone towers, network towers and certain other types of towers must have E911 receivers on them. Those receivers must complete any emergency call that they get, regardless of your cell phone service. So you can be out in the woods and make an emergency call that skips off a radio station tower E911 receiver even in areas with no cell coverage.

You would be amazed at the safety information that is available. Some states (Colorado comes to mind) require hunters to take an up-to-date hunter safety course every certain number of years (usually 5) in order to buy a license. It’s not because they think hunters are getting old and forgetful. It’s so that we are all up on the latest tips and tricks to keep ourselves safe out in the field. 

There’s nothing wrong with any hunter, regardless of age, taking a refresher safety course. As an old German carpenter that I used to work with (and hunt with) would always say, “The life you save may be your own – und if you save mine, then that is good, too!”

Good luck to everyone that will be out hunting this weekend. Let’s all be safe and enjoy the outdoors!