Tree Farmer - Fall 2012 - (Page 30)

This Hunting Season By Don’t Be a Target tools & techniques 30 Knowling EllEn Although the number of hunting accidents has trended downward in recent years as a result of increased hunter education requirements, there are still approximately 1,000 such accidents annually. Ten percent of these are fatal. Most hunting accident victims are responsible hunters who have more than 10 years of experience. What can you do to protect yourself this hunting season? • Establish a method for locating and communicating with other members of your hunting party. Have a map that outlines where each member will be hunting. Have an emergency plan in place. • Don’t forget the rules of safety in your ambition to get an animal. Don’t cut corners at the end of the day to get a trophy. • Avoid consumption of drugs and alcohol. You will also need to consider a number of liability and coverage questions, depending on your role in any hunting scenario. Is hunting lease liability coverage needed? Liability lawsuits can ensue as a result of the emotional and financial stress resulting from injury. If someone is leasing hunting land from a private landowner, hunting lease insurance can protect the hunter and his or her family from financial catastrophe. With a general liability insurance policy, coverage is provided if a club member is found legally responsible for the accident. With hunting lease liability insurance, the insurance company is obligated to defend the club member whether it is considered a frivolous case or not. What coverage is needed? Most policyholders look for the following benefits to be included: member-to-member coverage, guest liability coverage, fire damage liability, and liability from tree stands and ATVs. The coverage most recommended has $1 million per • Get proper education. Read, take a hunter safety education course, watch hunter education videos, take an online course. Taking a class can be interesting and rewarding, regardless of how long you have been hunting. • Practice the skills needed. It’s one thing to be book smart and another to put it into practice. Some students take a course, but then don’t touch a firearm until opening day. Practice your shooting on a range or other safe place. • Follow state guidelines for wearing hunter orange. This universal hunter safety color will dramatically reduce your chance of being mistaken for game. Each state has its own guidelines, which can be viewed at www.IHEA. com under “Hunter Education.” • Don’t take deer stand safety requirements for granted. Follow the instructions on deer stand equipment and check for faulty equipment. In the state of Alabama alone, 14 deer-stand accidents were reported in 2010—a record—and four of these were fatal. How Tree Farmers Can Reduce Risks Whether you have property adjacent to land being used for hunting or welcome hunters to your woods, you can assist everyone by making sure property lines are well marked and by posting “No Trespassing” signs as necessary. Clearly mark hazards such as wells, cliffs, and cable gates to help prevent accidents and injury. Designate a safe area for campfires. Also, establish open lines of communication with any hunt club or hunters in your area. Tree Farmer FALL 2012 http://www.IHEA.com http://www.IHEA.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tree Farmer - Fall 2012

Tree Farmer - Fall 2012
Contents
From the Director
A Conservation Heritage
Enhance the Value of Your Woodlot
A Passion for Forestry
Tree Farmers Gather
Sustainability on Display
Wildlife Matters
Ties to the Land
Tools & Techniques
Woodland Security
Taxing Issues
Connecting Kids to Nature

Tree Farmer - Fall 2012