If you’re going to take advantage of the nice weather coming our way then keep in mind the Minnesota Deer Hunting opener is this weekend. It’s a good idea to stick to popular trails and wear some blaze orange if you’re heading out to hike.  If you’re hunting then read what the Minnesota DNR has to say about doing it safely.

Hunting safety

Nothing can ruin a hunt faster than an accident. Drowning, hypothermia, getting lost, falls from tree stands or just spraining an ankle are among the perils awaiting hunters ill prepared for a trip afield. Because hunting involves firearms, knives, and arrows and is often conducted in cold and wet weather in some the state’s wildest areas, hunters should take particular care to prepare before heading out for a day in the woods or wetlands.

Many hunters want to know more about how to plan their hunts to avoid accidents, injuries, and getting lost. The MN DNR has an On-line Hunter Education course that is a good reference for all hunters and it’s free. Just click on the following link www.hunterexam.com/usa/minnesota/  to get the free course. It contains valuable information for hunters young and old.

All hunters should consider taking an advanced hunter education class to learn the latest hunting techniques along with tips on coming home alive. Here are these SIX suggestions for a safe and successful hunting experience:

• Get a detailed map of the area you are hunting, review it before you leave, and carry it with you in the field.
• Carry a compass and know how to use it. Decide ahead of time the direction to head for if you get lost or disoriented.
• Weather can change quickly in Minnesota, so hunters should carry a simple survival kit and be prepared for an unexpected overnight stay in the field. The survival kit should contain a rope, a knife, water, waterproof matches, an emergency shelter, and first aid supplies.
• If you are on the water, make sure to wear a life vest.
• Know your hunting partners’ physical and emotional limitations, as well as your own, and don’t push your partners or yourself beyond those limits.
• If hunting from an elevated stand use a Fall Restraint Device.
• Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.