You may be wondering what causes most accidental deaths in bowhunting.
Just like any type of outdoor activity, bow hunting is fun and may even be a rewarding experience. However, there are times when things go wrong, resulting in an injury, and even worse, fatal accidents.
So, if you are looking to do bowhunting, yet you want to keep it fun, safe, and worry-free, it makes sense to know more about the risks involved with it. Thus, you can stay out of danger and have peace of mind while you do bowhunting.
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What Causes Most Accidental Deaths in Bowhunting
Injuries and accidents sometimes happen when safety practices are not implemented. In the case of bowhunting, there are some accidental deaths that occur, which can be concerning.
So, if you are looking to start bowhunting some time soon, you may want to know what causes most accidental deaths in bowhunting and how to avoid them. Let’s get started:
1. Tree Stand Accident
This is among the most common injuries that bowhunters may experience. This can result in a serious health problem or worse, death. In fact, the number of cases linked with a tree stand accident is quite surprising and constantly on the rise.
Ignorance and carelessness are among the causes of this accident. For instance, when you fail to implement safety measures, you are likely to suffer from this situation. Some hunters doze off and fall from tree stands, and when you slip while descending or climbing, this can result in a serious accident.
Dropping from such a high location can cause you limb loss, spinal cord injury, and even death, especially if you hit a rocky ground.
2. Animal Attacks
Unfortunately, some hunters run the risk of getting attacked by their target since the latter possess protective instincts when threatened. Hence, they may inject poison, scratch, or even fatally injure a hunter. Among the common animals that can attack hunters causing the latter’s death include boars, cougars, snakes, and deer.
In fact, half of every 10 expert bowhunters is reported to have sustained injury and even death from animal attacks. So, it helps to be aware of some protective measures and do your best to evade these predators.
3. Accidentally shooting people
Sadly, there are non-intentional accidental deaths when a hunter mistakes another person for a game. This may happen to inexperienced and even experienced hunters. So you need to check carefully before aiming and shooting your target. Otherwise, it may be just another person out in the field and not an animal that you would like to hit.
4. Fire Hazard
There are hunters that start a fire at their camp spot while waiting for their target. It only takes a tiny spark when starting fire, yet it may become uncontrollable and spread easily – and it may be too late to stop it.
So, it helps to know the proper way to put out fire before it gets out of control. Do not neglect fire before you start a hunt. There is a high chance that the fire becomes so big and you may find yourself stuck in the woods not knowing how to escape this situation. And most importantly, wildfires cause serious damages to the woods and even your hunting site. Overall, this has a negative impact on the environment when unquenched.
5. Mechanical issue
Over the years, advancements in technology have resulted in more modern equipment used in hunting, including crossbows. But at the same time, these machines are likely to fail at the most unexpected times. Do keep in mind that they are not guaranteed to be completely efficient all the time, so some mechanical issues may arise.
For instance, a faulty machine can kill another person – or even yourself. This is why if you are uncertain about something, it is best to err on the side of caution.
6. Drowning incidents
When duck hunting, some hunters may accidentally tip their boats over and drown. There are also some hunters who try to evade a large animal or predator that is trying to kill them, then jump into a body of water. So, it is best to use equipment for water safety, especially if you are hunting around rivers, lakes, and canals.
What You Can Do
As the popular adage says, prevention is always better than cure. With that being said, you should be aware of preventative measures that can make a difference when in a matter of life or death situation.
Examine the tree stands of your hunting ground and make sure these are reliable and strong. If you are hunting in the water, bring with you some water safety tools and equipment.
Never jump into unfamiliar territories when in the face of danger and be very careful when hunting in a new place.
When you are not using your bow, make sure it is not loaded. And never point your bow at anything unless it is a safe direction.
It is also essential to have a knowledge of first-aid techniques when hunting. Bring with you some first-aid tools and necessary equipment during your trip such as a field dressing kit, hunting lantern, map and compass, bow, arrows, and broadheads, flashlight, and soft leather boots.
Never underestimate the importance of having a first-aid kit with you. Injuries may happen and while a kit may not be able to solve all emergency problems, it can help you buy some time until you are taken to a specialist for proper treatment.
Read More: How Should A Hunter Safely Unload A Crossbow? Do These Steps!
Summary
Bowhunting is an exciting and rewarding activity, yet some risks come with it. This is why it is very important to bring with you all the necessary tools during your hunting trip and have an understanding of safety precautions to spare yourself from serious and fatal accidents.
With these things in mind, make it a point to implement safety techniques and some first-aid skills to minimize the chances of fatal injuries while hunting.