Hunting Safety Tips from the DNR

Ten things you need to know before you head out into the woods.

Firearms deer hunting season is underway in Michigan until the end of the month. We want to wish you good luck, but we also want you to be safe!

"Hunting in Michigan is a time-honored activity rich in tradition, when families and friends come together to enjoy our great outdoors," said Sgt. Steve Orange, Department of Natural Resources hunter education program supervisor. "Making your hunt a safe and responsible experience is key to having an enjoyable and memorable time. Our officers want everyone to have a safe and responsible experience."

Orange offered some important reminders for hunters, including:

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• Be certain of your target, and what's beyond it, before firing. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt. Make sure you have an adequate backstop - don't shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Don't run, jump or climb with a loaded firearm. Unload a firearm before you climb a fence or tree or jump a ditch. Pull a firearm toward you by the butt, not the muzzle.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages before or during hunting. Also avoid mind- or behavior-altering medicines or drugs.
• All firearm deer hunters on any land during daylight hunting hours are required to wear a hat, cap, vest or jacket of hunter orange visible from all sides. This includes archery hunters during firearm season.
• Camouflage hunter orange is legal provided 50 percent of the pattern is hunter orange.
• Always let someone know where you are hunting and when you plan on returning. This information helps conservation officers and others locate you if you get lost.
• Carry your cell phone into the woods. Remember to turn your ringer off or set your phone to vibrate rather than ring. Newer cell phones emit a signal that can help rescuers locate you if you are lost. Make sure before you leave for the woods each day that your phone is fully charged. If you have a smart phone, download a compass and flashlight app – there are many versions of these apps that are free to download in the iPhone App Store or on Google Play for Android. Also, program the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) Line in your phone contacts - 1-800-292-7800 - so you can alert conservation officers to any natural resources violations you witness while hunting.

"These simple, common sense tips can prevent hunting accidents and save lives," said Orange. "We encourage all hunters to follow these recommendations and review the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Digest for other important information and regulations when enjoying the great outdoors."

For more information on deer hunting in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/deer.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go towww.michigan.gov/dnr.