DES MOINES —
Hunters heading to the field for pheasant season are encouraged to review safe hunting practices before they head out.
“Brushing up on safety should be part of every hunting plan,” said Megan Wisecup, recreational safety program supervisor with the DNR. “Go through the zone of fire with the hunting party, talk about avoiding target fixation and swinging on game.”
Iowa had an increase in its pheasant population for the first time in five years, which may also lead to an increase in pheasant hunters.
Wisecup said hunters who have been away from pheasant hunting for a year or two should get reacquainted with the techniques — be sure to walk in a straight line and know where members of the hunting party are at all times, especially in low visibility areas like terraces, tall switch grass and standing corn.
“Wear plenty of blaze orange especially on the upper one third of your body. We are encouraging hunters to wear more blaze orange than the minimum required. The goal is to be seen by other hunters,” Wisecup said. “The top pheasant hunting incidents all are related to not being seen. The shooter swings on a rooster, the victim is out of sight of the shooter or the rooster flew between the shooter and the victim.”
Wisecup said safety also extends to the canine companions.
“Avoid low shots to prevent injuring your hunting dog,” she said. “The hunting plan and safety practices are all part of a responsible hunt. The goal at the end of the day is for everyone to return home safely.”
Tips for a Safe Hunt
• Iowa law requires hunters to wear at least one of the following articles of visible, external apparel with at least 50 percent of its surface area solid blaze orange: hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt or coveralls.
• Hunters should stay in communication with each other and to stay in a straight line while pushing a field. Megan Wisecup with the DNR’s recreational safety programs said officers have investigated a number of incidents where hunters have been in a semicircle and had been shooting towards one-another.
• Discuss the hunting plan that spells out how the hunt will take place, each person’s role in the hunt and where each person will be at all times.
• Make sure to unload the gun when crossing a fence or other obstacle to avoid it accidentally discharging.
• Properly identify the target and what is beyond it. This will be especially important for the next few weeks if hunting in fields that still have standing corn.
• If hunting with a dog, never lay a loaded gun against a fence. Hunting dogs are usually excited to be in the field and could knock the gun over causing it to discharge.
• Share the hunt. Take someone new along to help keep Iowa’s great hunting tradition alive.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Think safety before hunting
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
-
-
Transportation group slams Iowa bridges
An advocacy group says Iowa's bridges are, as a group, more likely to be deficient than those found in most states. Transportation for America ranked Iowa third from the bottom nationally.
-
VIDEO: Journalist Michael Hastings killed in Hollywood crash
A man killed in a fiery car crash in Hollywood on Tuesday was award-winning journalist Michael Hastings, his employer said.
-
Are sunscreen chemicals something to worry about?
As the season of bare skin and scorching sun draws near, you — like so many other people — may find yourself scratching your head over sunscreen.
-
Eldest of 19 Duggar kids hired by D.C. lobbying group
After three decades of fighting the culture wars from within the Washington establishment, the conservative Family Research Council decided that it needed a fresh, new face to reach outside and cultivate the grass roots.
-
Indoor R/C raceway features dirt track
If rain washes out the races at the Southern Iowa Speedway, you can still catch some racing action at Kelderman’s Hobby Shack Raceway at the Heartland Center, live or soon, via the Internet.
-
Storefronts to get a big facelift
OTTUMWA -- A fresh set of facades in one city block could build momentum for the revitalization of downtown Ottumwa. The city has received conditional approval for a $500,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's downtown master facade
-
VIDEO: NSA director says 50 plots foiled
General Keith Alexander says two recently disclosed surveillance programs on international communications are critical in the terrorism fight.
-
Facilities open for use at Rathbun despite high water
With high water levels at Rathbun Lake this spring, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake has crested and is lowering and that park facilities are open and ready for use.
-
Called 'Next Stephen Hawking,' teen is perfect on math exam
There's a wall on the third floor of Lewiston-Porter High School dedicated to celebrating perfect scores on state mathematics exams. A new name joined the growing list Tuesday, which brought a smile to the face of everyone involved.
-
Bakery mix-up goes viral after cat drawn on girl's head
A photo of one graduate's cake has gone viral on Reddit due to a bakery mix-up that left a cat, instead of a cap, drawn on her head.
- More CNHI/Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
Transportation group slams Iowa bridges
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
