Time to Plan for Fall Hunting
The cooling days of fall are still some time off, but if you plan on hunting this year, now is the time to prepare, reminds the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
Some things require more preparation time than others, so prioritize what needs to be done so that you can have an enjoyable and safe hunting season. Below are a few things that you should be thinking about now.
Hunter Education: Between now and the end of October is when the majority of the hunter education classes are taught. Remember, anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, beginning at age 10 must possess proof of satisfactory completion of an approved hunter education course before hunting any species in Tennessee. Although the majority of hunters taking the hunter education course are nine or ten years old, some are much older. Hunters that were born in 1969 are now in their upper 30’s. Some areas, like Fort Campbell, require hunters of all ages to have a hunter education card. So, if you need to take the hunter education course, check out the class schedule on this Web site or contact the nearest TWRA Regional Office for a class schedule. The course may even be taken over the Internet and then completed at one of the CD/ONLINE Class Field Days.
Archery Hunting: Those hunters, planning on hunting with archery equipment during the fall, need to start practicing now with their equipment if they have not already. Even hunting with firearms requires practice, but archery equipment requires much more if you hope to be successful. Contact with your local archery shop or archery club can provide valuable information about innovations in modern archery equipment and what is best suited for you.
Treestands: More and more hunters are hunting from elevated treestands. Hunters should be aware that injuries caused by falls from treestands ranks as the highest category of hunting accidents. Before the season begins is the time to thoroughly inspect your stand for worn or broken parts and do necessary repairs. When using your treestand, select a live tree of the correct size for the stand. The use of a fall restraint system is a must from the time you leave the ground until you are back on the ground. A full body harness, adjusted so that if you do take a fall you only fall one foot or less, will prevent most falls from becoming injuries. Always use a haul line to get your bow or gun from the ground to the stand and back to the ground. Never try to carry a bow or gun while climbing into or out of the tree. Remember that on wildlife management areas, screw-in steps or other devices that enter the tree are not allowed.
Firearm Sight-In: Even though it drove tacks last season, it is a good idea to check the sights or scope on your favorite deer rifle. Refer to the Tennessee Hunting Guide or here for the location of ranges.