A Parkland Ambulance rescue UTV. When hunting this season make sure you have a fully charged cell phone in case of emergency. (Submitted photo/Lyle Karasiuk)

By Dawson Thompson

Hunters Be Ready

Safety a top priority as hunting season begins

Oct 5, 2020 | 2:00 PM

After being stuck indoors all summer long, and with not all sports able to return this fall due to COVID-19, people in northern Saskatchewan can look forward to being outdoors once again with hunting season starting. Big game season is already underway in certain zones.

Due to the popularity of the sport and the thickness of the forests around Prince Albert, Director of Public Affairs for Parkland Ambulance, Lyle Karasiuk said being alert to your surroundings and following safety precautions is important.

Karasiuk says there is a lot for hunters to consider at the start of a new season.

“Please be courteous and ask someone if you can hunt on their property,” Karasiuk told paNOW. “If it is not crown land then you need to ask permission, (to hunt).

While hunting, he said there are many other ways to get yourself into some trouble other than receiving a possible bullet wound.

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“There might be bad weather, you could be walking through a field and step into a hole, or you could fall from a tree,” Karasiuk said. “If you’re not with someone what are you going to do? How will you get help or get back safely to your vehicle?

“We want our hunters to always take precautions. You should always be prepared to stay where you are at. Do I have a first aid kit? Do I have extra warm clothes, and a high energy snack? If you become stranded, you stay where you are. Especially if you are injured.”

In case of an accident, letting someone know where you are going can make a big difference for your safety.

“Leaving a note on the table, or telling someone the general direction you are going will go a long way in being helpful to finding you if you do become lost, disoriented, or injured,” Karasiuk explained.

Many people are itching to get outdoors again after spending their summers indoors due to the pandemic. While out in the forests, its crucial to keep an eye out for other hunters and gatherers.

Be aware before pulling the trigger

Vice President of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation in Prince Albert, Don Erhart reminds hunters to check twice before you pull that trigger.

“Accidents can happen anytime. There is going to be more people out there hunting,” Erhart said. “Make sure you are absolutely one hundred percent sure of your target before you shoot.

“It is an important time of the year to pay attention to all the details.”

For more details on how to get your own first aid kit and training for the season head to the Parkland Ambulance website.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8