Katie McCabe, an occupational therapist and ergonomics specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, discusses the often overlooked safety hazards for deer hunters. She provides actionable solutions to help prevent common injuries. This article elaborates on her expert advice and recommendations.
"Oftentimes when we go out hunting, due to a lack of physical fitness, we overexert ourselves more than we're normally used to. With that, we need to think about our safety as we manage our deer in the woods, whether it's a buck or a doe," said Katie McCabe.
Kicking off with common injuries hunters face, Hunters often sprain or fracture ankles, rupture Achilles tendons, and overstrain muscles when entering or exiting the woods. Many people often overlook the strain that carrying a deer out of the woods can put on their bodies. Katie McCabe, who also happens to be a hunter herself, understands these difficulties and practices a few tips to help keep herself safe in the woods, according to a news release from Mayo Clinic.
Moving on from recognising potential dangers, Before heading out into the woods, whether alone or with a group, hunters should always develop a safety plan. According to Katie McCabe: "Communicate that plan with your group, or maybe family or friends at home, regarding a timeline on your goals on when you want to go out and when you expect to be back. Let them know where your starting point will be. Always have a cellphone or walkie-talkie available even if cellphone reception might be hit or miss. At least the hunting party knows where to find you just in case," according to a news release from Mayo Clinic.
Furthermore emphasizing preparation before setting foot in the wilderness, Hunters can start to prepare their bodies before even entering the woods. According to Katie McCabe: "It's not a bad idea to stretch before you head out to the woods or hike out to the tree stand. All of our work is in front of our bodies. Try incorporating some stretching in opposite positions or opposite postures. Shoulder circles backwards and hamstring stretches can be easily done," according to a news release from Mayo Clinic.
Lastly, addressing physical strain when handling game, Hunters should watch their form when dragging a deer. According to Katie McCabe: "I advocate the power position or tug-of-war position. We need to keep our head over our shoulders and always keep our arms close to our bodies. Anytime our arms are out away from us, it's going to be a lot more demanding, and we're going to have to use smaller muscles to do the work," according to a news release from Mayo Clinic.
