Relax and take a drink of water.

While that advice may sound strange, it could calm, relax, and even help avoid a serious injury.

An under-hydrated body could lead to serious problems, so before heading to the woods, take a drink of water. Carry water in a backpack and fuel up upon returning home or back to a vehicle.

It’s gun deer season, where safety should outmaneuver all else.

Without safety, anything else is just likely to be trouble.

Check all the items necessary for a safe hunt. “Do you have the correct caliber ammunition for the gun you’re using?” asks Doug Williams at D W Sports Center in Portage.

Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’ll likely return. Using a phone, paper note, or simply tell someone where, when and how long before you’ll return. If there is a need for regular medication, make sure someone is aware. Some of those situations could best be dealt with by putting a note on a truck window.

Lt. Renee Thok was transferred last month to the position of hunter education administrator in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, moving from a position of field warden in southeast Wisconsin.

“We preach and teach T-A-B-K. Treat every gun as if it is loaded; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; be sure of your target and what is beyond it; and keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot,” she said.

These safety points apply at all times when a gun is involved, walking with another hunter, stopping and talking to another hunter, farmer, or warden.

When another person is involved, make sure they can see how you are handling the gun. Then they don’t have to wonder if you have forgotten. If someone doesn’t comply, ask them to.

Clothing is special during most hunts. If an item is new, break it in before opening day, where and when sighting in the gun. Boots, cap, gloves and mittens, too. Check zippers, snaps, buckles and strings. Zippers can be lubricated with bar soap.

Fifty percent of all clothing items above the waist, except gloves should be fresh (not faded) and functional. These same points should be followed by non-hunting companions and others enjoying the great outdoors. Yes, the cap, too, unless it is not worn.

Think about crossing fences and small streams, shooting across roads, and shooting toward any building or in the direction of farm implements, being used or parked.

Practice shooting should not be done while in a hunting situation.

Hunting blinds on public land have rules for including blaze orange on the outside and being able to see the blaze or florescent pink on that blind. Blaze orange clothing must be worn while in a blind, too.

While not required while hunting small game, if there is not a gun deer season ongoing, is encouraged. Archers, when hunting during a gun deer season, must wear blaze.

In all cases, florescent pink clothing may be substituted for blaze orange, even in those situations where there is no mention.

A first-aid kit is a good idea. Look at purchasing one for the vehicle. There may be some supplementary vehicle items such as battery (jumper) cables, a stretch of heavy rope, and a small tarp that could be used to slide a deer carcass. Clean water and cloth are handy to have available, too.

A buddy system is helpful to double check, even “are you going to leave your gun leaning against that post?”

Safety of our own bodies inside and out need to be considered. Are flu, COVID-19, and tetanus shots up to date?

A general annual physical, depending on age and ongoing conditions, is highly recommended, or at least a call to your primary physician asking what might be advised. Many doctors prefer texting to phone calls.

Lastly, tree and elevated stand safety. Check the stand and body safety harnesses.

Finally, are you mentally ready to hunt?

Doug Benkert, a reader, emailed saying eye problems have made his shooting skills a danger to others, and he no longer hunts but remembers cars loaded with affixed tags on trophy kills at in-person check stations being part of seasonal entertainment and is sad to see that disappear. Still he’ll enjoy nature even after retirement.

Without reported incidents, hunters have already taken 46,413 deer and 2,397 turkeys as reported on the WDNR’s web page harvest charts.

— 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.