Before heading out into the woods for the first time this season to hunt, DNR Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha wants you to pack some safety tips and other supplies. Hunters across the state had the opportunity to get a jump start on the deer hunting season with the archery and crossbow seasons beginning last Saturday. Deer hunting season has been exceptionally safe in past years, with only three reported incidents this year and fewer than 20 a year since 2021. Ensuring that you treat every firearm as if it is loaded, always pointing it in a safe direction, being sure of your target, and keeping your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot are all essential tips to remember when you are firing a weapon. Kratcha says you can do several other things before you prepare to shoot to make a safe hunt possible.

The introduction of hunter education in 1967 and the mandatory use of blaze orange in 1980 have contributed to a drop in hunting-related injuries since it peaked at 264 in 1966.  In addition to deer, hunters are also able to track down bear (until October 7th), select migratory birds (seasons vary between now and January 2nd depending on species), wild turkey (until November 21st, November 22nd-January 4th), and small game (until February 28th). You can find more information about the upcoming hunting season here.