Hunting season kick off
Updated: November 19, 2012
MONTICELLO -- The sights and sounds of hunting season are here. But if you're heading out there, keep these safety tips in mind. The number of hunting accidents continues to go up.
Now hunters are speaking up to make sure that changes. Blake Lieb has been hunting deer for the past 20 years. He took WCIA-3's Megan Brilley along and showed her just how important it is to stay alert.
"It's kind of a family tradition," Lieb said.
When he's hunting he's home. It's where he spends time with family and friends.
"Tell stories about what you did or didn't see. Lie about what you shot and missed at. Deer hunting takes a lot of patience. It's a lot of sitting and waiting. You find yourself kind of daydreaming sometimes."
But Lieb says that's where things get dangerous.
"It's good to have something like this around you," Lieb said.
He says when you're up there be alert and stay awake.
"Don't fall asleep," Lieb said.
Lieb says you have to be 100% sure of what you're shooting to identify your target.
"If you're hunting with others, you want to know where they're hunting in proximity to you. A good set of binoculars helps," Lieb said.
One of the most important safety tips lies in what you wear.
"It's important to wear orange so other hunters can see you. If you're hunting at night, visibility is limited," Lieb said.
Put your gun on a rope before climbing up if you're using a tree stand.
"Be aware that your gun is loaded. Have your safety on until your ready to shoot. You never know what's gonna happen," Lieb said.
Last year there were more than 10 hunting accidents in Illinois. one of them fatal. That's up 70% from the year before. That's why Lieb says safety is always at the forefront.
"Sometimes common sense can be looked over for convenience. That's something that can get you in trouble in a hurry," Lieb said.
Now hunters are speaking up to make sure that changes. Blake Lieb has been hunting deer for the past 20 years. He took WCIA-3's Megan Brilley along and showed her just how important it is to stay alert.
"It's kind of a family tradition," Lieb said.
When he's hunting he's home. It's where he spends time with family and friends.
"Tell stories about what you did or didn't see. Lie about what you shot and missed at. Deer hunting takes a lot of patience. It's a lot of sitting and waiting. You find yourself kind of daydreaming sometimes."
But Lieb says that's where things get dangerous.
"It's good to have something like this around you," Lieb said.
He says when you're up there be alert and stay awake.
"Don't fall asleep," Lieb said.
Lieb says you have to be 100% sure of what you're shooting to identify your target.
"If you're hunting with others, you want to know where they're hunting in proximity to you. A good set of binoculars helps," Lieb said.
One of the most important safety tips lies in what you wear.
"It's important to wear orange so other hunters can see you. If you're hunting at night, visibility is limited," Lieb said.
Put your gun on a rope before climbing up if you're using a tree stand.
"Be aware that your gun is loaded. Have your safety on until your ready to shoot. You never know what's gonna happen," Lieb said.
Last year there were more than 10 hunting accidents in Illinois. one of them fatal. That's up 70% from the year before. That's why Lieb says safety is always at the forefront.
"Sometimes common sense can be looked over for convenience. That's something that can get you in trouble in a hurry," Lieb said.
