ER Tips for Staying Safe During Deer Season

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) – UP hunters have big money on their minds as they prepare camp for the start of firearms deer hunting season a week from tomorrow.

A Delta County emergency room doctor and a guide for disabled hunters say they hope safety is also a top priority for those heading into the woods.

Ken Buchholz is a lifelong hunter who says he always heads into the woods on opening day. Buchholz says wearing bright orange is one way to stay safe.

“You can see this orange hunter from a distance,” Buchholz said. “If you’re going to go outside, make sure you wear some kind of orange vest and definitely wear an orange hat.”

Michigan law requires hunters to wear bright flame or fluorescent bright orange. Wearing colors makes the hunter more visible and helps prevent accidental shootings.

Dr. John Bednar works in the emergency department of OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Escanaba. Bednar says accidental shootings are just one of the injuries he encounters during hunting season.

“Common hunting injuries include falls, whether a fall while hiking, carrying, towing, or falling from a tree,” Bednar said.

An emergency physician says hunters in tree stands should take extra precautions.

“If you’re in a tree, make sure you have a working seat belt and harness,” Bednar said. “If you don’t have a seat belt and a short harness, you might have problems because if you fall, even with the seat belts, you might end up with a too long harness leash. So, make sure you have a short cord. If you’re going to fall, you won’t fall very far and you’ll be able to get back up again.”

Bednar says most hunting treats that end up in the emergency room have one common cause.

“The most important rule when hunting is the absence of any intoxication, be it alcohol, drugs or any combination thereof,” he said. “These are the most common things we see: people falling while hunting because they are drunk.”

The doctor says hunters should also know their limits, carry prescription medications with them and remember to take blood pressure medications if necessary.

“They need to know what their fitness level is when they go out hunting,” he said. “Whether you’re hauling gear or hauling deer, you have to know what your limits are.”

Buchholz says any time you go hunting, you should also let someone know where you’ll be.

“Unpredictable things happen in the forest,” said the avid hunter. “You might slip and fall or something like that, and sometimes you might even run into different animals that aren’t very friendly.”

Buchholz says he carries a backpack with a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries and a blanket in case he gets stuck in the woods overnight.