McClory: Don’t forget safety precautions while outdoors

If you are an outdoorsperson like myself, autumn has many choices for ways to get out and enjoy the season. Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, bike riding, hiking, birding or just a leisurely stroll down a scenic wooded road, there are some basic common-sense safety reminders we should all be aware of. First of all, we should all know our limits; don’t take off on a long hike, hunt, or bike ride if you’re not physically ready. Watch the weather, especially in New England, dress appropriately; let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return home. Carry a fanny pack with basic first-aid items ? water, compass, knife, matches, and flashlight as a minimum. Wear a blaze-orange vest and hat, especially during hunting season. Always wear a life jacket, especially now that the water temperature is in the 50s. When wading, make sure you wear a flotation device.With bow hunting in full swing throughout the New England states, a mention of tree stand safety is in order. If you are a serious bowhunter, chances are you spend a lot of time hanging in a tree stand 15 feet above the surface of the earth. Why? Because you know that a deer’s primary survival instinct is smell and getting off the ground is critical. When the wind is right, your scent will be above the ground and drift over the deer. This is a great advantage to a bowhunter. All of this assumes that you have done your scouting homework and have located a good crossing area that will allow you to be close to your target, a must when bowhunting. Remember that, unlike a firearm, the acceptable shooting range is measured in feet versus yards. Of course, there are some important safety issues. The most serious problem associated with the use of a tree stand is the risk of falling. Tree stand falls are increasing as the popularity of tree stands increases. If you choose to hunt from one, use a safety belt, especially when climbing. The majority of falls occur when climbing up or down the tree or getting in and out of the stand. As soon as you get into your stand, strap in. A body harness is better than a plain safety belt, but a belt is better than nothing. Attach it high around your chest to avoid injury from the belt if you fall. Use a rope to raise and lower your bow; never try to carry your bow up and down trees.Come celebrate “Hunters Gear Up Weekend” at Kittery Trading Post. You’ll find everything from waterfowl decoys and calls to deer hunting firearms and camo-clothing, plus special pricing, free seminars and activities! The 2nd Annual Duck Calling Contest on Sunday, Oct. 19, will also be held in conjunction with its Hunters Gear Up Weekend. This amateur, non-sanctioned event is open to amateurs, professionals and anyone who has an interest in calling. Joe Judd of Quaker Boy Game Calls will serve as emcee for the contest. Judd, a member of the Mossy Oak Camouflage Company’s Advisory Council, also writes an outdoor column, “On the Ridge,” and hosts a hunting show by the same name in western Massachusetts. Contestants will compete in Men’s, Women’s and Junior Divisions, with over $2,000 in prizes being awarded. The actual contest will begin at 1 p.m., with each contestant demonstrating four basic duck calls: the hail call, lonesome hen call, feeding call and comeback call. Interested participants may pre-register for the contest by calling Kittery Trading Post at 888.587.6246 or register in person on the day of the event from 10 a.m. to noon. The first 25 entrants will receive a free mouth duck call.The US Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) was allowed to represent sportsmen in yet another lawsuit brought by animal activists seeking to eliminate hunting, fishing and trapping wherever endangered or threatened species exist. The USSAF filed to join the case along with the Maine Trappers’ Association, Fur Takers of America, National Trappers’ Association, and several individual sportsmen. The Maine-based case mirrors another case from the state that was sett