Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Keep Safety In Your Mind During the Hunt

(Elliot Lake, Ont.) The East Algoma OPP urge hunters to plan ahead and keep safety in mind during hunting season.

Every year, people get lost while hunting and sometimes these incidents end tragically.

“People who engage in activities in the bush should prepare for the potential of becoming lost,” advises Detachment Commander A/Inspector Ron Faulkner. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Ensure that you take all equipment along even for a short trip. Should you become lost, it is important that you remain calm and most important… wait for help, stay put!

When lost:

Don’t panic – fear is your worst enemy. It is impossible to think logically if you panic.
Stay where you are – Don’t try and walk to safety unless you have the skills and equipment necessary to survive. Staying where you are will increase your chances of being found.
Fire – Making a fire is one of your best survival tools. With fire you can keep warm, dry your clothes and signal for help.
Shelter – If necessary, utilize natural formations (fallen trees) and other materials found in the bush like cedar.
Signals – The following are universal distress signals:
 3 gun shots
 3 blasts of a whistle
 3 fires

A last reminder – You may only hunt from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. If you are in an area usually inhabited by wildlife during the period from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, you must unload and encase your firearms and make sure they are not readily accessible.

Safety First!