Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News

John Ehlke/ Senior Photographer [Click to enlarge]

By David Veselenak
Staff Reporter

Officials want to make sure hunters know about safety as sportsmen and women begin season.

Numerous government agencies have been sending out hunter safety tips reminding hunters of precautions.

Department of Natural Resources officials are stressing that hunters should wear orange.

"Don't take any chances with the firearms," said Tim Reis, wildlife supervisor for the Saginaw Bay management unit of the DNR in Bay City. "Hunters should be aware of their targets."

Reis said hunting accidents rarely occur.

According to a DNR report on accidents, 13 incidents occurred last deer firearm season - two were fatalities. Most accidents occurred from careless handling or victims not being seen by the shooter.

"It's not a huge number, but it does happen," Reis said.

Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said hunters should go out in pairs.

"We don't encourage people going out alone," he said.

Mioduszewski said hunters should tell someone where they are going, in case of an emergency.

"It really helps us out," he said.

Hunting hours begin 30 minutes before sunrise and run until 30 minutes after sunset, Mioduszewski said.

Saint Louis freshman Danny M. Long said he adheres to hunters' safety when he goes out into the woods.

"I never walk into a blind with a loaded gun," he said. "Always keep the safety on until you shoot."

Safety also applies after deer are killed, as well.

Reis said hunters have to get their deer examined.

"We encourage hunters to take their deer to a DNR check station," he said. "We're interested in gathering the biological information."

DNR officials would like hunters to take the deer body or head to check stations to examine them for disease, especially bovine tuberculosis.

"There have been no cases in the Mount Pleasant area," said Barry Sova, wildlife technician for the DNR in Bay City.

Sova also said deer are being checked for chronic wasting disease, which is expected in the Alpena and Oscoda areas.

Hunters in Isabella County also are required to have permission to hunt on private property and must be at least 150 yards from buildings to hunt.

"You must have written permission to show the officer," Mioduszewski said.


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