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Deer season starts Saturday

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By Jim Morris, Staff Writer 12:35 PM Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Ohio’s 2009-2010 deer hunting season starts Saturday, Sept. 26, with archery hunters heading for the woods and fields.

But before each and every hunter heads out with dreams of venison and antlers in his or her head — no matter how experienced they may be — the Ohio Division of Wildlife has a sobering thought displayed on its Web site:

“Hunting from a tree stand is exciting and effective, but hunters must be sure to keep themselves safe. In Ohio, we have hunters seriously injured and killed each year from treestand falls. About one in every three hunters will experience a fall from a treestand in their hunting career.”

Hunting from a treestand doesn’t have to be dangerous if people follow some simple rules:

— Hunt from a quality metal stand, never one that’s home made.

— Take your time going up and down.

— Make sure you use a full-body harness, not a single strap; put the harness on first thing and take if off last.

“The majority of bow hunting accidents happen when the hunter is in or climbing into a tree stand,” said Dave Kohler, wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s District 5 office in Xenia, “When climbing, never try to carry equipment up the ladder or steps. Leave your bow and arrows at the base of the tree and attach a rope to it that you will carry with you up the tree. Be aware that the rope should be plenty long so you don’t have to bend over the front of the tree stand to bring up your equipment.

“When purchasing a safety harness, choose one that is going to fit your body style and any physical limitations you may have,” he added.

Kohler also offered the following bow hunter safety tips:

— Make sure all of your equipment is in good condition. A bow that has been improperly stored, beaten and tossed around will run the risk of misfiring or even blowing up when in the act of shooting. Any issues such as this can cause lost or damaged eyes, broken arms or arrows going off in odd directions.

— Carry your broadhead tipped arrows in a quiver that is both sturdy and covers the entire portion of the broadhead. It will prevent accidental cuts of your body and your gear. This will also keep your broadhead tips from rubbing against brush, rocks and other items that will dull them.

— Prior to drawing your bow and taking any shots, be positive of your target. It has happened all too many times that one bow hunter has mistaken another hunter as a game animal. These lapses in judgment are most common during the early morning and late evening hours.

— Make sure someone knows where you are. Pack a cell phone, water and a first-aid kit. Wearing hunter orange is not required of bow hunters (except during gun seasons), but improves safety when walking in and out of woods and fields.

For more about hunter safety, visit wildohio.com.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409 or jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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do any hunter know how many deer have been killed in 9/26/09 to 10/5/09? GOOD HUNTING YOUALL

Rich
9:12 AM, 10/6/2009

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I support hunting and in the past was avid hunter myself, however some of these responses (such as Prop Owner) are ignorant.Think of it like this you have invaded on their habitat, not vice versa. While the deer population needs controlled,to many go out there with a 'shoot'em up' attitude...just wanting that trophy.Not respecting the environment, the animals. fellow hunters or the sport and it these individuals that are the real "Rats".

Elmer Fudd
8:39 AM, 9/24/2009

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Get your cameras ready, News-Sun.....I see several front-page pics coming

Karpis
8:13 AM, 9/24/2009

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Wow, Owner....where do you live? In the middle of a woods? I've been driving for forty years and have never hit a deer. I am well aware that it takes a good season to thin out the herds. But this year I hope they get thinned out so well that the coyotes get hungrier faster. Maybe, instread of fawns, they'll start going after sheep and family pets.

Lipshitz
8:12 AM, 9/24/2009

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I hope our local hunters have a good season - with herds of a dozen or more, these "rats with antlers" have taken over some areas, ruining our young trees with their rubbing, eating our garden and scrubs, etc. Watching them denude crops, row by row in the spring is amazing. Oh, and three car hits within a few miles of our home in the past four years! Without any hunters, these pesky deer would become an even more severe problem. Its too bad more property owners don't allow hunting.

Property owner
8:06 AM, 9/24/2009

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