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hunting practices. As a major sponsor of Pennsylvania's Bowhunter Education Program, all who take to the field with bow and arrow are encouraged to take the BHE course and receive state certification. |
A Few Safety Tips !
| Get in shape well in advance of hunting season. It'll make those hills seem a little smaller, the drag a little easier, and might prevent a heart attack! |
| Use a full body harness with climbing aid from the moment you leave the ground until you safely return. Many falls occur while ascending and decending to and from elevated stands. |
| Carry a fully charged cell phone, or at the very least a loud whistle, so you can call or sound for help if needed in an emergency. |
| Always clearly and positively identify your target and what is beyond. |
| When traveling in the woods in the dark, use a flashlight or better yet a headlamp . This frees up your hands to carry bow, treestand, clear brush, etc. Also, it may prevent you from being mistaken for game. |
| Make sure your knife, whistle, cell phone or radio are on your person, not in your pack. If you should fall they need to be accessible. |
| If you don't normally wear eyeglasses get some type of eye protection for walking into and out of the woods in the dark. |
| Climb unencumbered ! Use a haul line to pull your equipment (bow,quiver, etc.) into your treestand broadhead shroud first. |
| When wearing a full body type harness under your clothing be sure it is snug around the legs and shoulders to prevent excess slack. Also, do not wear clothing that has a tight neck fit. If you wear zippered garments over the harness do not zip them full length until they touch your neck. When the harness tether is activated it has a tendency to pull back and up on your outer garments. Tight neck fitting clothes or zippers close to the neck could cause you some damage or discomfort. |
| Hunt with a buddy! If you must hunt alone be sure that somebody knows exactly where you'll be. |
| Wear blaze orange while hunting the overlapping firearms seasons. Being mistaken for game accounts for a high number of accidents. |
| Check for safety recalls of your hunting and climbing equipment ( click here ). Voluntary recalls may only be listed on manufacturer's websites. |