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 “We want hunters to enjoy all the opportunities available here
in Illinois, with hopes for a safe and successful hunting season
this fall,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Director Colleen Callahan. “While we enjoy and celebrate
Illinois’ hunting heritage, we want everyone – from experienced,
veteran hunters to those who may be new to hunting – to always
think safety first.”
The IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, which administers the
state’s Hunter Safety Education Program, has investigated six
hunting incidents so far during 2019, three of which involved
hunters falling from elevated tree stands or falling while
climbing into or out of tree stands.
In 2018, there were 19 hunting incidents reported in all hunting
seasons in Illinois. Among the hunting incidents reported last
year, 14 involved tree stands.
“Hunters should use a Fall Arrest System (FAS) safety harness,
no matter the type of elevated stand they are using,” said Jerry
Costello, director of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement.
“Statistics show that in most of the mishaps involving elevated
stands, hunters were not using a fall restraint system.”
When utilizing a tree stand, hunters should check that their
stand is installed properly. They should check the harness and
straps and replace worn straps if needed; and, check the ladder
and other equipment before use to make sure they are in working
order. They also should be aware of weather conditions that
could make stands and steps slippery. Hunters should have their
cellphones within easy reach to call for help, if needed.
Hunters can review tree stand safety online at
http://www.huntercourse. com/treestandsafety/
Safety educators and IDNR Conservation Police also remind
everyone hunting with a firearm to:
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and never assume a
firearm is unloaded;
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• Always point a firearm in a safe direction;
• Be sure of the target, and make sure there are no
other hunters, homes, buildings, vehicles or other animals beyond
the target; and
• Keep their finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger
until they are ready to shoot.
Other safety considerations include ensuring heating sources are
properly ventilated in hunting cabins and boats, wearing
appropriate, high visibility clothing while hunting and being
familiar with the area being hunted.
Illinois’ busiest hunting season, the seven-day firearm deer season,
begins on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22-24, and will conclude
Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 5-8.
The Illinois Archery Deer Season opened Oct. 1 and continues through
Jan. 19, 2020. Archery deer season is closed during the firearm deer
weekends except in those counties where firearm deer hunting is not
permitted.
For more details on Illinois deer, waterfowl, upland game, furbearer
and other hunting seasons this fall and winter, check the Illinois
Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations at
https://www. dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/ HuntTrapDigest.pdf
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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