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Show Hunters Prepare For Deer Season SALT LAKE CITY Big game hunters throughout Utah are eagerly awaiting the beginning of the state's general buck deer hunt Oct. 23. Preparations now, in the form of gathering materials and gaining knowledge, are key to a safe big game hunting experience. And, while taking a deer is usually usu-ally the highlight of any deer hunt, hunters should remember to enjoy all the experiences a deer hunt provides. pro-vides. "Enjoy the entire experience of the hunt," said Lenny Rees, hunter education coordinator for the Division Divi-sion of Wildlife Resources. "Good friends, a good camp, a chance to observe wildlife and the beautiful state we live in are all things deer hunters are fortunate enough to enjoy during their time afield," he said. Rees passes along the following tips for an enjoyable and safe hunting hunt-ing experience: Personal Preparation: (See HUNTER PREP on page 9A) HUNTER PREP From Front Page Obtain the proper hunting permits your Habitat Authorization Authori-zation and the proper buck deer region re-gion permit. Southern, Southeastern Southeast-ern and Central region permits have sold out. Northern and Northeastern Northeast-ern region permits are still available; avail-able; Know the area you're going to hunt. If possible, scout the area before the hunt. Put together a survival kit. It should include a small first aid kit, three way to make a fire (matches, cigarette lighter, firestarters, etc.), quick energy snack foods, a cord or rope, a compass, a flashlight, an extra knife and, a small pad of paper and a pencil (for leaving information informa-tion at your last location, about yourself and the direction you're traveling, should you become lost). Firearm Preparation Make sure you have the proper ammunition for your firearm; Be as familiar as possible with your firearm know how to load and unload it, and where the safety is and how to operate it. Firearm Safety Never carry a loaded firearm in your vehicle; Before shooting make sure of your target and what's beyond it. Vehicle Preparation Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition, Carry a shovel, ax, tire chains, jumper cables and a tow chain in your vehicle; If you experience mechanical problems with your vehicle or become be-come snowed in, stay with your vehicle don't leave it. Before Leaving To Hunt Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return. While in the Field Never hunt alone Wear proper safety clothing 400 square inches of hunter orange on your back, chest and head. Field Dressing Animals Use a sharp knife, which is safer than a dull one. Cut away from you, never bring a knife blade toward you while cutting. Your Physical Weil-Being Know you physical limitations limita-tions and don't exceed them. Be prepared for weather changes by dressing in layers to regulate your body temperature by adding or removing clothing. Drink plenty of water regardless regard-less of the temperature. "You can become dehydrated even in cold weather," Rees said. Hypothermia (the loss of body temperature) can occur in temperatures tempera-tures as warm as 50 degrees. The first sign of hypothermia is stumbling stum-bling or disorientation. Sit down and start a fire and get yourself warm and dry. Watch for frostbite in cold weather. White spots on the skin are the first sign. Check feet face and hands regularly. Hunt with a companion so that you can check each other. If you're Lost Don't panic. Sit down and build a fire even if it isn't cold. "A fire is soothing and will help you to relax and think clearly," Rees said. After calming down, try to get your bearings and think your way out of the situation. If you think you know the direction you need to travel, use the pad of paper and pencil pen-cil from your survival kit and leave a note at your location, indicating who you are and the direction you're traveling. If you come across others as you're trying to find your hunting party, don't be embarrassed to stop them and ask for directions and help. If you're unsure about the direction di-rection you should travel, stay at your camp and build a shelter several sev-eral hours before sundown if possible. possi-ble. Build a smokey fire (which can be spotted from the air) or build three fires (a distress signal that can be noticed from the air). "You can live without food and water for several days," Rees said of those who choose to remain at their camp until they are found. Alcohol and Gunpowder Don't Mix Do not handle a firearm if you have been consuming alcohol; Do not give alcohol to someone some-one who's cold. Rather than warming warm-ing the person, alcohol will actually actu-ally make them colder. Further Information Contact: Mark Hadley, DWR Media Specialist (801) 538-4737. nininitmtaiarzniiraBnsiin |