Safety Tips

Crossbow Safety Tips

• Maximum effective range is 40 yards.
• Know exactly where the arrow will hit before you pull the trigger (practice, practice, practice).
• Never walk or climb a tree with a crossbow cocked and loaded with an arrow.
• Always use manufacturer recommended arrow weights.
• Practice with the same type broadhead you plan to hunt with.
• Keep your fingers and thumb down on the crossbow forearm out of the path of travel for the string and cables.
• Always identify your target and background before you shoot.
• Never shoot if there is a doubt about the shot.
• Never shoot if the animal is alert and excited.
• Carry a field point tipped arrow in your quiver to uncock the crossbow at the end of the hunt by shooting this arrow into soft ground.

Tree Stand Safety Tips

Tree stands can be dangerous if they are used incorrectly or carelessly. Tree stand accidents are the leading cause of hunter injuries in Maryland. Maryland follows the national trend in that over 50% of all hunting accidents are tree stand related. Most tree stand accidents occur in transition from a climbing device to the tree stand and from the tree stand onto the climbing device. Other injuries occur when the tree stand fails (usually home made stands) or from the incorrect installation of a manufactured stand.

Please follow these safety tips. Your life or livelihood may depend on it.

• Always read, understand and practice the manufacturer’s recommendations before using any climbing equipment or tree stand.
• Check permanent tree stands every year before hunting from them. Replace any worn or weak lumber.
• Check your equipment before and during the season for loose, broken or worn parts.
• Use updated equipment. Newer tree stand equipment is solid, safe and secure.
• Always practice installing a hang-on tree stand at ground level before attempting an elevated installation.
• Always use a fall restraint system while climbing a tree.
• Use a full body safety harness as part of your fall restraint system. Never use a waist belt or rope as a substitute for a full body safety harness while in a tree stand.
• Only climb healthy trees.
• Use your climbing device or tree stand for support; branches may give way under your weight.
• Use three points of contact with the tree or climbing device for a secure hold.
• Climb higher than your stand and step down onto it. Climbing up into the stand can dislodge it causing a fall.
• Wear boots with non-skid soles. Steps or platforms may be slippery in rain, sleet, or snow.
• Never carry anything while you are climbing. Use a haul line to get hunting devices and other equipment into and out of your stand. Make sure guns and crossbows are unloaded and broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering firearms, crossbows, or bows with a haul line.
• As a precautionary measure, clear the ground of debris below your stand and climbing device.
• If you are sleepy, climb down from your stand and hunt from the ground.
• Leave a hunting plan with a responsible adult. Include specifically where you will hunt and when you will return. Draw a map to better explain your location. If no one is available for you to tell, leave this information at your camp or in your vehicle for rescuers to find.
• Carry a survival pack with you that you keep on your person. This should include a whistle, cell phone, flashlight, and a basic first aid kit.
• Never hunt from a tree stand without using a full body safety harness.
• More information and an online course on treestand safety are available at www.tmastands.com.

Firearms Safety Tips

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Watch the muzzle! Prepare to control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.
• Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only ammunition of the proper size for the gun you are carrying.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger; know the identifying features of the game you hunt.
• Unload guns when not in use. Take down or have actions open. Guns should be carried in cases to the shooting area.
• Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to shoot or kill. Do not play with a firearm.
• Never climb a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun. Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
• Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or water.
• Store guns and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults. Use trigger locks.
• Never use alcoholic beverages or medications that cause drowsiness before or during the use of a firearm.

Boating Safety Tips

Capsizing and falling overboard into cold water are major hazards for hunters. During the majority of the hunting seasons, Maryland waters are cold enough to pose a serious hypothermia threat. Nationwide, 70 percent of all boating fatalities are the result of drowning. Almost 90 percent of the victims were not wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). As a responsible hunter, you need to be aware of the dangers and follow a few simple rules to make your hunt on the water a safer and more enjoyable experience. These rules are:

• Leave a float plan with someone at home, describing where you are going, who you are with and when you expect to return.
• Transport firearms to the boat unloaded, cased, muzzle first, with the action open.
• Always wear an approved and properly fitted Personal Flotation Device when in a boat.
• Carry a throwable flotation device in case someone falls overboard.
• Stow visual distress signals on board.
• Know the weather forecast for the area. High winds can be dangerous. Cancel trip if water conditions aren’t safe. Keep an AM radio handy for the latest updates.
• Never overload your boat. Load gear low in the boat and distribute the weight evenly.
• Always stay seated when shooting from an open boat.
• Never anchor from the stern.
• At the first sign of a storm, head for shore.
• If an accident occurs, STAY WITH THE BOAT and use distress signals.
• If wearing chest waders, use a belt to keep them from filling up with water.
• Unless the clothing is creating a hazard, do not remove extra clothing. It can help prevent hypothermia.
• To retain body heat, pull your knees to your chest and keep your elbows to your sides.
• When overboard without a PFD:
• Trapping air in chest waders by bending your knees and raising your feet then lying back in the water can help you stay afloat.
• An oar under the knees and another behind the back and shoulders can be used to keep you floating.
• Trapping air in hip boots by bending your knees and lying on your back can help you remain afloat.
• Decoys stuffed inside your jacket will provide buoyancy.

All accidents cannot be prevented, but by following these few simple rules, you can greatly improve your chances of survival should an accident occur.

Responsible Hunters

• Learn and practice safe hunting techniques.
• Hunt fairly.
• Know the capabilities and limitations of their hunting devices and use them safely.
• Obey and support all wildlife laws and report all violations.
• Respect the land and landowner and always obtain written permission before hunting.
• Avoid knowingly interfering with another hunter and respect the right of others to lawfully share the outdoors.
• Value the hunting experience and appreciate the beauty of the animal.
• Are sure of their target and what is beyond it before shooting.
• Share responsible hunting with others and work for the future of hunting in Maryland.
• Cover their game during transport. Transporting game in an acceptable manner is one way to maintain public support for hunting.
• Dispose of carcasses appropriately.