| Hunting
Ethics and Safety
Ethics
Set a good example for others. If you see garbage in the woods pick a little up each
time you go out and bring it home to throw away. Leave things better than you found them.
Always present yourself in a clean-cut courteous manner. Hunters do not need to have a
"Bubba" image.
You are morally responsible for the recovery of any animal you shoot. Expend all
possible effort in tracking a wounded deer. This may mean getting down on your
hands and knees to find a "pin drop" of blood. Or it may mean getting a
few of
your buddies out with you to do a grid search for the animal. Propane or kerosene lanterns are
essential if you are following a blood-trail at night. Always mark the last spot of blood
found with a little piece of tissue and leave it as un-disturbed as possible - you may
have to return to this spot and retrace your steps
Safety
When climbing up to your tree-stand and while sitting in it use a
harness. Keep minimum slack in your harness and wear it towards
your armpits rather than your waist. This will keep the distance
you fall to a minimum and keep you right-side-up, maintaining consciousness.
If you are climbing a tree using limbs it may be impossible to
climb with a harness. In this case you should always maintain 3
points of contact with the tree at all times. I prefer to
maintain 4 when possible.
Installing a portable tree stand can be one of the most dangerous
hunting activities. Make sure that you are always harnessed
while doing so and try to take a buddy with you to hold a light, or
otherwise give you a helping hand.
Always tell someone where you are going and
when you will be back. If you are overdue they can at least come to
check on you.
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