Hunting safely doesn’t stop after the kill- The Daily Sentinel

By Jim Freeman

Published:

Saturday, November 29, 2008 1:27 AM EST

In big game hunting, months and months of preparation, practice and planning often come down to one, crucial moment of truth: the split second when everything comes together — you, the object of your pursuit, and your gun or bow.

Everything leads up to this moment, and it’s over in an instant. If you have invested time in target practice and selected your shot carefully, ensuring a swift and lethal killing shot, the payoff is in venison laying on the ground — and perhaps another year’s bragging rights back at the deer camp.

Experienced hunters also know this is when the fun part of the hunt is over and the hard part begins; perhaps not as many dwell on the thought that this part of the hunt may be fraught with risks and danger.

Expectation and excitement are an important part of the hunt and I’ve often heard hunters say, “When I stop being excited by the sight of a big buck I’ll hang up my guns and stay at home.”

However, hunters shouldn’t let their excitement cause a painful or perhaps even fatal accident.

Veteran hunters know the instant following the shot is a time to calm down, gather your thoughts and carefully consider your next course of action. This is especially important if you are hunting from a tree stand. Carefully and methodically unload your gun and safely lower it and any other items from the stand. Descend cautiously and then reload your gun.  Click link below for full story!

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