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   As we start another season of hunting, it is important to remember to hunt safely.  Each type of hunting offers its own unique challenges and safety concerns.  The risks inherent in pheasant hunting are different than those of deer hunting, but all have one thing in common.  The biggest risk comes from those sudden lapses in concentration.  Mistakes happen when people are not paying attention. Falling asleep and falling out of a tree stand or not paying attention to what is behind your intended target while deer hunting can both result in disaster.

   Hunting elk in Colorado a few years ago, I had one of those problems sometimes referred to as a stupid attack. Walking out of camp, I chose a well-traveled elk path leading up the side of a mountain. The morning was sunny and cool, a great day to be hiking and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. I was paying more attention to the views and elk tracks than where I was going. I stopped frequently to watch a pine squirrel or check out a wildflower and started off again in a random direction. The thought of getting lost never occurred to me. I could see the sun and with my watch, I could tell my directions. By mid-afternoon, clouds started moving in, and I decided I should start back toward camp. I had no idea how far I had traveled.  With the clouds blocking the sun, I could no longer determine which direction to travel. I knew I had to go back down the mountain, but down the wrong side could leave me miles from camp.  I dug in my backpack and found my compass.  I knew I had walked with the sun on my face most of the morning.  This time of year, the sun rises due east and arcs across the southern sky.  If I aimed north and west by my compass, I should at least be in the general direction of camp. Several times, as I walked unfamiliar territory, I lamented my stupid attack. I knew better than to not pay attention to where I was. A person always needs to check landmarks, both ahead and behind them. As the sun began to set, I knew what would lie in store if I did not find camp before dark. I would have to stop, set up a shelter of sorts, and spend the night in the cool mountain air. Nobody would look for me until morning, as it is both pointless and dangerous to walk around in the dark in the vast mountain wilderness.  Chances of finding someone in the dark are much less than the chance of falling off a cliff. 

   I chose to walk for another half hour, making a concerted effort to continue a straight line. Since I had not spent much time looking behind myself during the morning walk, nothing looked familiar as darkness began to set in. I was beginning to look for a place to spend the night when I found the road we came in on when we drove to our campsite.  With great relief, I turned on the road and followed it a half mile or so to camp. It was dark when I saw the campfire and the rest of my hunting party. They were relaxing around the fire, planning the next day’s rescue operation. Getting lost not only endangers the person that is lost, but it also inconveniences the other members of the hunting party as they feel obligated to stop hunting and look for the lost person. This does not impress one’s fellow hunters. 

   There are many things that can go wrong during hunting season. Problems can vary from the mildly annoying to the extremely dangerous, but most result from not paying attention.  Have a safe hunting season and remember to stay alert to the many dangers inherent in our sport.

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