DNR to publish safety tips due to accidents

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Two weekend hunting accidents in South-Central Indiana have Department of Natural Resources officials giving out some simple safety tips on hunting.

A Martinsville man is in stable condition after accidentally shooting himself and a Brown County man is recovering after falling out of a tree stand.

Earlier this year, falling out of tree stands hurt 12 people and two others were killed.

Six other reported hunting accidents, including one fatality, during the first four days of Indiana's deer firearm hunting season have prompted Indiana conservation officers to remind hunters of the necessity of tree-stand safety.

Of the six accidents, all but one involved falls from tree stands.

A Jennings County man was found dead approximately 100 yards from his tree stand. Preliminary indications are he may have died from injuries suffered in a fall from the stand.

An Owen County man dropped his firearm while climbing into his tree stand and was injured when the gun accidentally discharged after hitting the ground and the shot struck him in the buttocks.

Other tree-stand accidents in Carroll, Clay and Steuben counties resulted in hunters sustaining a broken back, ruptured spleen and broken collarbone.

Elsewhere, a Lawrence County teenager was injured as his firearm discharged while he was resting the muzzle on top of his foot.

Conservation officers urge hunters using tree stands to follow a few safety rules.

Always use a full-body safety harness while climbing or hunting from a tree stand. If you lose your balance and fall, it will save your life.

Always use a haul line to raise hunting equipment to your elevated hunting position. Never climb with firearms or archery equipment.

Place stands securely and inspect equipment after every use.

For more information on hunting safety visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at www.in.gov/dnr.

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  • History also tells us that alcohol has been a factor in hunting accidents as well. I've seen first hand many out-of-towners come to Putnam County for weekend hunting, bring more booze than food or ammo.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Sat, Nov 29, 2008, at 6:19 AM
  • Wait, you're saying that seeing double doesn't double your chances of hitting a deer. I've been doing this wrong, then. Maybe I will give up drinking, I mean hunting!

    -- Posted by WTFRUthinkin on Sat, Nov 29, 2008, at 6:51 AM
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