BANGOR- It’s the middle of firearms season. It began Nov. 4 and ever since then hunters have been in the woods looking for game.
Maine Game Warden Rick Ouellette said in order to have a safe and successful hunting season, hunters need to follow a few safety tips.
“When you are in the field or you’re out in the woods and you see game, before you shoot, always identify your target,” Oulette said. “Make sure what your shooting is exactly what you intend to shoot. When you shoot there is no taking that bullet back.”
He also said to make a hunting plan and share it with others to let people know you’re hunting.
However, one of the biggest tips he said is to make sure you’re aware of others who might be out in the woods with you.
“Very well in any section of the woods in the state of Maine you can interact with a person that’s not wearing orange, a person that’s wearing a brown coat or clothing that is not conducing to your hunting,” Oulette said. “Always be aware of that.”
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in the past decade, there’s been an average of six hunting incidents a year.
In that same time frame, there was a total of four fatal incidents.
So far this season has been crisis free according to Ouellette.
“We’ve had a safe season so far, we haven’t really had any serious bodily injuries due to hunting this year. We’d like to keep it that way, you know’ have a safe season and try to get through the season and end it that way,” Oulette said.
