With archery deer season starting this weekend, wildlife officials want to remind you to stay safe.
Game Management Region Supervisor Scott Bardenwerper with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said the safety of a deer stand can be as important as weapon safety.
"Some of the main injuries that we have with hunting is with the tree stands," Bardenwerper said in an interview with AccessWDUN.
He advised hunters to check constructed tree stands for bees nests, rotting boards or broken ladder rails. He said it's vital to inspect climbing stands for broken or loose parts.
He said the most important rules for hunters to remember is to wear a safety harness when climbing up or down from a stand. Plus, he said harnesses should remain on when hunters are in their stands.
While archery season gets underway Saturday, Sept. 8, primitive weapons season starts Oct. 13; regular firearms can be used a week later and the season ends January 13, 2019.
