CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois hunters are being told to be careful.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding hunters to make safety their first priority as they head to the field for the state’s firearm deer, upland game, waterfowl, and other busy hunting seasons.
“We want hunters to enjoy all the opportunities available here in Illinois, with hopes for a safe and successful hunting season this fall,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan, in a statement. “While we enjoy and celebrate Illinois’ hunting heritage, we want everyone – from experienced, veteran hunters to those who may be new to hunting – to always think safety first.”
IDNR said it has investigated six hunting incidents so far this year, three of which involved hunters falling from elevated tree stands or falling while climbing into or out of tree stands.
Last year, there were 19 hunting incidents reported in all hunting seasons in Illinois. Among the hunting incidents reported last year, 14 involved tree stands.
“Hunters should use a Fall Arrest System (FAS) safety harness, no matter the type of elevated stand they are using,” said Jerry Costello, director of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, in a statement. “Statistics show that in most of the mishaps involving elevated stands, hunters were not using a fall restraint system.”
Hunters are also being reminded to: treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and never assume a firearm is unloaded, always point a firearm in a safe direction, be sure of the target, and to keep their finger out of the trigger guard and off og the trigger until they are ready to shoot.
Illinois’ busiest hunting season, the seven-day firearm deer season, runs Nov. 22-24 and will conclude the weekend of Dev. 5-8
The Illinois Archery Deer Season opened Oct. 1 and continues through Jan. 19, 2020.