Safe Deer Hunting

General Safety Tips

• Identify your target as a legal deer before putting your finger on the trigger or drawing back your bow.
• Be aware of what is behind your target.
• Never shoot at sounds in the brush.
• Wear a safety belt or harness while in a tree stand.
• Let others know your exact hunting location and when you plan to return.

Firearms Safety Tips

• Test your unloaded gun to make sure it is mechanically sound.
• Wear both a hunter-orange hat and a hunter-orange shirt, vest, or coat when walking to and from your hunting location, and while hunting. 
• Never climb a tree with a loaded gun.
• Always point the gun in a safe direction. 
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Archery Safety Tips

• Inspect your bow limbs for damage before hunting.
• Inspect your bow string, and replace if it shows signs of wear.
• Keep your arrow and bow pointed towards the ground as you nock it.
• Never draw your bow if another hunter is in front or behind your target.
• Never pull and release the string without an arrow.
• Never over-draw your recurve bow.