♦ SAFETY ♦
While hunting, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities are fun, safety must be considered
to help avoid mishaps or accidents that could ruin an outing or result in injury to oneself or others.
We hope you will read and heed the safety tips below.
More topics will be added shortly.
TALKIN’ TURKEY ? or TURKEY TALKIN’ ?
Many of you will be out after a gobbler, come May 1st, or any other day of May, for that matter. Turkey season runs from ½ hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day in May. DEC offers these safety tips to keep hunters safe in the woods.
Since most turkey hunting injuries happen when one hunter unknowingly stalks another…..
♦ Don’t stalk turkeys! It doesn’t work, and it’s dangerous.
♦ Sit with a large tree at your back and call.
♦ Never wear turkey colors – red, white, blue, or black.
♦ Assume that anything that sounds like a turkey (calls, or footsteps) is another turkey hunter.
♦ If you see another hunter, don’t move. Speak up in a loud clear voice.
♦ Never wave, whistle, nod, or make an animal sound.
♦ Wrap an orange vest around a tree near your calling location to let other hunters know you are there.
♦ Be 100% sure of your target, and beyond.
It’s also a good idea, after bagging a turkey, to wrap an orange vest around it before carrying it out of your hunting area.
These tips from the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Code of Conduct will also help your hunt be enjoyable:
♦ Do not let peer pressure or the excitement of the hunt cloud your judgement.
♦ Obey and support all wildlife laws, and report violations.
♦ Respect the land and the landowner and always obtain permission before hunting.
♦ Avoid knowingly interfering with another hunter, and respect the right of others to lawfully share the outdoors.
♦ Value the hunting experience and appreciate the beauty of the wild turkey.
♦ Share responsible turkey hunting with others and work for wild turkey conservation.
♦ Positively identify your target as a legal bird and insist on a good shot.
Avoid Bear Trouble
DEC offers the following tips to help avoid troublesome encounters with bears:
♦ One of the most important tips: NEVER FEED BEARS!!! If you believe that bears are being fed, report it to DEC, or call the TIPP line at 1-800-TIPP-DEC to report it anonymously.
♦ Dispose of garbage as quickly as possible. Store it in clean containers that are tied, top latched or chained shut. Do not put garbage out the night before for curbside pickup.
♦ Do not add meat scraps, bones or melons to your compost pile.
♦ Clean barbeque grills before nightfall, and if possible, store them indoors after they cool down.
♦ Feed pets indoors, and store pet food indoors. If necessary to feed them outside, pick up all uneaten food and dishes before dark.
♦ Stop feeding the birds as soon as the snow melts, and clean up all seed fragments and shells. The smell of birdseed or corn will attract bears.
When camping in bear areas, whether at a public or private campground or in your back yard:
♦ Do not leave coolers or food out at any time. Store them in the trunk of your car, or the passenger area of your truck. Keep the windows shut, and the food and coolers out of sight.
♦ Keep grills, pots, pans, cooking utensils and wash pans clean when not in use.
♦ Do not wash dishes under water faucets.
♦ Do not put grease, garbage, plastic diapers, cans, bottles or other refuse into the fireplace.
♦ Do not keep food or coolers in your tent.
♦ Do not wear clothing to bed that was worn while preparing or eating meals.
If you encounter a bear, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. If you spot a bear and the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly away. Never run from a bear. Running may elicit a chase response from an otherwise non-aggressive bear.