Hunting safety key for young and old

Thousands of deer hunters, young and old, will be heading into Indiana's woods and forests for the opening day of the firearms season Saturday, November 14.

Conservation Officer Matt Tholen said the recent addition of rifle hunting for Indiana deer has opened the door for a new generation of deer hunters, as more children are taking up the sport.

He said it is important for these new outdoorsmen and women to learn safety in the woods at an early age.

Tholen said, "You always got to worry about what's beyond the target, and you got to teach your kids that also, because a rifle round or a shotgun round could go through the deer and possibly would if it's close enough, and strike something on the other side, so one of the biggest things we teach at Hunter Ed is you are responsible for that round that comes out of that gun. You got to know what's in front of the deer as well as behind the deer because you are the one responsible."

Tholen reminds all deer hunters to follow safety recommendations and laws while in the woods. He said all hunters are required to wear orange, and everyone who uses a tree stand should wear a safety harness to avoid falling out of the tree.

Tholen also reminds tree stand hunters to never raise a loaded weapon into the stand.

Click here for a complete PDF on safety