Hunting related deaths prompt safety warnings

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN - The 2012 gun deer hunt is more than half over with only 4 days left. But the season has been marred by four hunting related fatalities.

It's a reminder that one of Wisconsin's oldest traditions can not only be dangerous, but deadly.

The state had two straight years without a hunter being shot to death.

However this year, two men have died from gunshot wounds. Another hunter died when he fell from his tree stand. A fourth was found unresponsive in the woods.

Hunters heading into the woods hoping to bag a deer say safety is always top of mind.

Especially after the deaths of four hunters since opening day.

"Any unsafe acts have a tendency to put a black mark on the entire sport," said Mark Guard of Menasha.

ER doctors say they've seen plenty of injuries this year, including three people hurt from tree stand falls.

"And of course we occasionally get the gunshot wounds, like I said, I've already seen a couple lacerations from knife injuries from preparing their game," said Dr. Jocko Zifferblatt at Green Bay's St. Mary's Hospital.

Health issues like heart attacks can also cause problems in the woods. ER doctors say you want to make sure you're physically fit before heading out to hunt.

"If you start having any chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tightness in the back, you all of a sudden break out into a cold sweat - all of these things are worrisome for cardiac disease and you should stop, rest and then get out of the woods," said Zifferblatt.

DNR officials add hunting related deaths and injuries can be preventable by taking simple steps, like wearing a harness when climbing into your tree stand. And keeping as many points of contact as possible.

"Four points, three points of contact. One hand, one foot, another hand. That's three points, and as I'm going up the stand I always want to think the more contact the better," said conservation warden Jeremy Cords as he demonstrated for us.

Cords said hook your harness up to the tree and then you can bring up your firearm safely.

"If it's unloaded, action's open, and you're taking it up into the stand with a haul line, it's not going to go off," Cords said.

Cords added hunters must always handle firearms with care.

"Treat every firearm as if it's loaded, always. Always control your muzzle. Be aware of your target, what's in front of it, and what's behind it, and then keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot," Cords said.

Wearing blaze orange is also key said Cords, "The more blaze orange the better."

Preventative steps that can lead to a safer season.

Cords added if you were born on or after January 1, 1973, and you want to hunt alone, you must take a hunter safety course.