Hunting season is a beautiful time for many folks. Families spend quiet time together alone in the woods, friends catch up and work together, or we go out alone and breathe nothing but that stellar deep-forest air for hours—sometimes days. Of course, hunting can quickly go awry if safety precautions aren't taken.

Firearm Safety Practices

The majority of hunters use firearms in the process (although, if you're one of those brave bow hunters, we tip our hats to you). During licensing gun tests, people are taught about firearm safety practices, but over time, as we grow more comfortable, it gets easier and easier to let these practices slide. With all the calibers available to 80 percent AR-15 builders out there, 300 Blackout is probably one of the more popular options after .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO.

1. Treat every firearm as if you loaded it; don't rely on the safety

2. Keep your gun unloaded when it's not in use

3. Never point a firearm at something you don't want to shoot

4. Don't leave your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot

5. Before shooting, choose a target and note what is behind your target

6. Never climb over a fence, climb a tree, or jump across a ditch while holding a loaded gun

7. Always unload a firearm before riding in any vehicle

These are the primary safety practices, but gun maintenance is also an essential part of firearm safety. A well-cleaned and cared for gun is far less likely to produce a misfire or another type of mishap.

Likewise, you'll want to wear the proper eye and ear protection devices when you're shooting. The loudness of a gun firing can cause tinnitus and hearing loss, which can interfere with your daily life and can be accompanied by ringing in the ear, ear pain, headaches, weakness, or numbness. If you're someone who hunts as much as possible, you should probably get your ears checked a little more often than is typically recommended.

Stay Warm and Dry

We know, and you know that you might be out there for quite some time. Take note of the weather and temperature and dress accordingly. Keep several layers of warm clothing and seek out a water-repellent outer layer. Try to avoid moisture-retaining cotton, too—if you sweat, you'll end up damp, meaning you'll get cold quickly, putting you at risk for hypothermia. Some bacteria and fungi love growing in wet material—not only will this smell terrible, but it puts you at risk of certain infections. Keeping your feet dry is of the utmost importance for this reason.

Keep Yourself Visible

When you're out during hunting season, there's a high chance that other hunters are out as well. Wearing hunter orange will help make sure you're not mistaken for an animal by another hunter. If you bring dogs or friends out with you on the hunt—make sure everyone is wearing orange as well. You can have extra protection by wearing a plate carrier. According to nativecompass.com/best-plate-carrier, these devices can be lifesaving as they protect the vital organs from bullets and shrapnel. Even with a plate carrier, it's a good idea to keep something orange on your person.

Bring a Compass

In the flow of the hunt, it's easy to pay attention to only one thing—the animal. This means that it's easy to get lost. If you bring a compass with you and know where you are in relation to your camp or your vehicle, the chances of you getting lost get drastically slimmer.

Bring a Flashlight

Again, because it's so easy to lose yourself in the art of the hunt, you might find yourself staying out well after dark. This is okay, but walking through gnarly brush in the dark can result in twisted ankles or other injuries. If you've never walked in the dark woods, it's hard to explain, but it almost seemed designed to make our trip and fall over. As a result, you must make sure that you have a flashlight, or even something like this pvs14 night vision equipment, on hand to prevent you from getting lost or injured once the sun goes down. 

Bring Something to Start a Fire With

Matches, a flintstone kit, or a lighter will do the trick. You want to be able to start a fire if you need one for warmth, cooking, or as a smoke signal. Of course, depending on the area you're hunting, a burn ban might be enacted. Make sure to look up whether there is a high risk of rapid forest fires and starting a fire is outlawed or not before you head out.

Carry a First Aid Kit

Accidents do happen on occasion, even to the most careful people. Having a few first-aid basics with you can mean the difference between a funny story and a severe injury. If you're going to be hunting somewhere that it will be impossible to promptly get to a hospital, you might want to consider taking up a first-aid course.

By following the above seven tips, you should avoid the majority of common hunting accidents or injuries. And remember, if you're going out alone—make sure someone knows where you're headed.