Get Prepared and Stay Safe in the Outdoors this Fall

GETTING READY FOR a hunting or fishing expedition isn’t as easy as it looks.

Oh, you can throw a few things together and head out the door. However, if you really want to be prepared for a safe, fun time in the great outdoors you’ll need to plan.

We could easily fill this space with tips on setting up your deer feeder or maintaining your boat, but we have that kind of information somewhere in every issue and in our TF&G e-newsletter on a weekly basis.

This article was inspired by some data we received from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) that involves tragedies on Texas waters. We love our readers and want to give you information on how to be prepared to stay safe in the great outdoors.

In 2020, boating accidents were at a 30-year, all-time high. Fatalities on Texas waterways increased 45 percent in 2020 from 2019, while fatal accidents on the water rose by 61 percent. Overall, accidents on the water were up 67 percent, and injuries were up by 64 percent.

More than 70 percent of boating accidents that occurred in 2020 were on open motorboats or personal watercraft. The months of May through August traditionally have the highest numbers of injuries and fatalities statewide, with weekends seeing the peak figures.

“This year alone from January through April 2021, Texas experienced a 40 percent increase in open water-oriented fatalities. This includes boating and swimming incidents and is compared to the same period in 2020. Overall, in 2020, 55 boating fatalities and multiple boat accidents and injuries occurred on Texas waters.”

Let’s check out some safety tips from the U.S. Coast Guard to make sure you stay safe on the water.

File A Float Plan

This can be as easy as telling a loved one where you are headed and when you plan to return. Leaving this crucial information with someone on shore can help rescuers narrow down where to look if you don’t return when scheduled. If time allows, you should always try to fill out a completed float plan and update it as changes occur. Every piece of information you provide may be more helpful than you may think.

Wear Your Life Jacket!

Make sure the lifejacket is Coast Guard-approved and fits properly. Just as important as wearing one yourself, you should always make sure the people with you also have one on.

Even if you think having a lifejacket on board your boat is enough, or if you are a strong swimmer and don’t need one—just wear your lifejacket. It’s so much easier to be prepared for the worst than it is to reach for a stowed life jacket in a tense moment.

There are so many different types of life jackets these days, you can easily find one that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Communication

On a boat, the easiest thing to have is a working marine-band VHF radio and a handheld GPS. This will allow you to call for help and give rescuers your position if necessary. Cell phones don’t always have reception in the areas you may be going on your boat. So, it’s better to be prepared with extra equipment and not need it, than need it and not have it. The Coast Guard always monitors VHF Channel 16 for distress.

You should observe similar guidelines for venturing into the woods on a hunting or camping trip. These are recommended by TF&G Editor-In-Chief Chester Moore who has been on a three year investigation into human dangers in the woods.

Moore said, “Some of the dangers out there aren’t just getting lost or bitten by a snake. There are criminal elements in the woods at times, and we have to be aware of these things.”

Travel Plan

Similar to the Coast Guard’s float plan, hunters, campers and hikers need a travel plan. Leave your spouse or close friends a travel plan and let them know the points you plan to explore. If possible, leave written GPS coordinates. Give them a time frame of when you expect to arrive and return. Let them know to call for help if you have not returned by a certain time or day.

Strategic Parking

Always park your vehicle facing out of the area. In a tight spot, you don’t want to have to back up and turn around during a retreat. Also, park in a spot in a clear area that you can see from a distance. If someone is waiting on you or has moved into the spot, it will give you a chance to assess the situation and prepare.

Don’t Try to be a Hero

If you see strangers poaching in the woods at night for example, don’t be a hero and try to stop them. They are armed and probably will use their weapons on you if you try to stop them. Call to report such activity to local game wardens and get out as quickly as possible.

Buy And Carry A Beacon

It is a good idea to carry a beacon that will alert all rescue personnel at the touch of a button. Don’t rely just on a cell phone. You should have a similar beacon, especially if you’re venturing way off-trail on public land.

Talk To Locals

Not all information is on social media. If you decide to hunt public land in another state, talk to locals in a gun shop or sporting goods store. They can give you good intel on the local area.

The great outdoors is the place where we create some of our best memories. It can also be the place where tragedy can strike if you’re not prepared. Let these tips be a starting point for your safety on the water and in the woods of Texas and beyond.

 

—TFG STAFF REPORT

 

 

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