Deer firearms season opens Saturday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)  Indiana Conservation Officers are reminding hunters to be careful as deer firearms season gets underway. It runs Saturday, November 17 through Sunday, December 2.

The following reminders were issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources:

• Wear required hunter orange garments.
   
• Equip ground blinds with one square foot of hunter orange on all sides as required this year for the first time. A ground blind is required to have the hunter orange displayed while occupied and if its base is four feet or less from the ground.
   
• Positively identify the target and take caution when hunting from elevated stands. Falls from tree stands are the number one hunting accident recorded yearly. 
   
• Take a cell phone and tell somebody where you will be on your hunt and when to expect you home.

Motorists are encouraged to be especially aware for the next several weeks as deer will be crossing the roads in increasing numbers due to the breeding season in November and December. Motorists should not swerve aggressively to avoid a collision with a deer as this more often than not leads to more severe injuries and property damage than colliding with the deer.

Hunters wishing to donate legally harvested deer as well as citizens looking for meat to help feed their families should go to GiveIN Game Program. This is a free exchange of deer meat from the hunter to the family in need.