Hunting injuries in Mississippi

It is clear from the data that hunting injuries in Mississippi mirror those which occur nationwide. The vast majority of these injuries are easily preventable by following common sense hunting safety rules. As with firearm injuries, tree stand injuries are clearly preventable by following common sense rules (Table 1). Most falls are due to poorly constructed or old wooden tree stands that come apart or become detached from the tree thereby causing the hunter to fall. All bolts and fasteners should be inspected and replaced if found to be defective prior to use of the stand. Old, broken or rotten lumber should be replaced. Tree stands should only be placed in healthy, mature trees with strong healthy limbs. Unfortunately, tree stand hunters seldom wear safety harnesses when hunting. These devices, when used properly (worm around the chest under both arms), can greatly decrease morbidity and mortality associated with falls. To minimize trauma, tree stands should be constructed no greater than 20 feet above ground level. Hunters should be cautioned to wear non-slip boots [table| see text] and to apply a non-slip covering to the floor of their tree stands prior to use of the stands. Other safety tips include the removal of all logs, stones or other obstructions from around the base of the tree. As with all hunters, tree stand hunters are advised to carry a compass, whistle, flashlight and cellular phone with them during their hunt. Hunting equipment, including bows and arrows and all firearms should never be carried up to the stand. This equipment should only be lifted or lowered to or from the stand with the use of a haul line. Hunters must remember the 10 commandments of gun safety (Table 2). Every firearm should be treated as if it were loaded. Firearms should not be pointed at anything other than the intended target and the muzzle must be controlled at all times. The action and barrel should be inspected prior to loading ammunition to ensure that they are clear of obstructions. The target must be clearly identified before discharging the firearm. All firearms must be kept separate from their ammunition and unloaded when not in use. Alcohol and any mind-altering substances (antihistamines, etc) must be strictly avoided when hunting. Hunters should avoid shooting at hard, flat surfaces in an attempt to prevent ricochets, should never pull a loaded gun toward themselves, and should never climb over a fence or other obstacle with a loaded firearm. Additional common sense safety precautions include the use of the "gun safety." The safety should be "on" at all times and switched off only when the rifle is sighted in, on the game just before discharge. This simple precaution may well prevent many of the accidental shootings that occur when firearms are dropped. When firearms are dropped, the hunter must carefully pick up the gun butt first while leaving the muzzle pointed toward the ground. Rifles should be left unloaded until game is sighted and should be loaded only in the immediate anticipation of discharging the firearm at game. Hunters are also advised to hunt in-groups and should notify family members or friends of the approximate time they anticipate entering and leaving the hunting area. Bright orange hunting vests have been shown to greatly increase the hunter's visibility and should always be worn when in the field during hunting season. Hunters are also advised to layer their clothing to prevent cold injuries. A backpack containing a flashlight, compass, prescription medications, first aid kit, cellular phone and high calorie foods should be taken into the field with the hunter. Bow hunters can drastically reduce injuries and death by following a few common sense rules (Table 3). All arrows should remain sheathed until prey is sighted at which time the arrow may be nocked to the bowstring. Bows should never be drawn until the hunter is ready to fire at the target. At all times, the bow and nocked arrow should be pointed in a safe direction. Reminding hunters of the major causes of accidents as well as how to prevent them will help to decrease hunting injury and death rates in Mississippi. Careful planning and safety precautions on the part of all hunters are essential to their own safety as well as that of others.