Deer hunters, experienced or novices, should be reminded or warned of the physical and mental nature of hunting deer, walking through head-high marsh grass, possibly climbing into a tree or dragging a deer carcass.
Dr. Jeffrey Pothof, UW Heath Chief Quality Officer, has been there and done that from having a mishap in a tree stand, spending a few days in a hospital as a patient, and numerous times attending to a hunter who has fallen, broken bones and worse. Pothof has flown to scenes and ridden in a woods ambulance to the site.
Wisconsin has such a cultural tradition of getting out in the woods during deer season that hunters should take five and be sure they can do this adventure. Most will not have any problems or concerns but if you are hesitant or someone reminds you to be cautious, make a call to your primary doctor.
“Even at 80 many hunters are pretty healthy and don’t have anything to worry about. Others are in a category of having had heart disease, a heart attack, stents put in, or open heart surgery and need to ask their doctor ‘what should I do and what shouldn’t I do?’” Pothof said. “Just have that conversation with your doctor. Maybe, too, let the young guys do the deer drives through the marsh, over logs in the woods and up hills.”
Even at a younger age, move your annual physical examination closer to the season and see if there are any hidden symptoms that should be checked out.
There is still time to consider preventative vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
“We’re in a much better position now than the last few years with COVID, but for those who are at risk, they could have a really bad outcome. Those over the age of 60-65, with underlying medical conditions, diabetes, or overweight, it’s important to get a booster vaccine so that if you encounter COVID, you don’t have a really bad outcome,” Pothof said.
There are others out there, in deer camp, and eateries who could pass these diseases on and if there is a concern, regardless of age, take the precaution and avoid getting as sick at a time you least want to be missing from action.
Pothof’s tree stand mishap reminds him that to be 100 percent safe, use a tether (harness) “from the time you get off the ground until you are back on the ground. There are a number of brands out there, things referred to as life lines.
“You may find yourself dangling for a bit but at least able to get back on the ladder, sticks, or steps,” the doctor said, remembering his own experience.
Check the stand that was there since last year. Lumber rots, straps decay and get chewed on by squirrels.
Finally, on the way out the door, tell someone where you are headed and when you’ll return. If you say something, they’ll call someone to help.
Forget to say something? Text someone from the stand. Even send an image.
— Jerry Davis is an Argyle native and a freelance writer who lives in Barneveld. He can be reached at sivadjam@mhtc.net or at 608-924-1112.
