Not everything that happens in the deer blind stays in the deer blind.
A few years ago one of my buddies was hunting in south Kansas. He got up early and headed to the tree stand. Somewhere in that process he fell and dislocated a hip and broke some ribs. He was a long time getting well from that event. He is number three in my personal knowledge of smart guys doing the thing we love and suffering serious injury. Ned Yost (Kansas City Royals Manager) shattered his pelvis and ribs and almost died falling out of a tree stand in Georgia. In one study, 55% of tree stand accidents resulted in spinal injury. Tree stand accidents are the number one cause of death and injury related to deer hunting. New York state reported one gun-related injury and five fatalities from tree stand accidents in one year of study.
Let me tell you about a new app for your phone that just might save your life if you happen to experience one of these injuries in a remote location that only you and one nice buck know about. It is called “what 3 words” and is a free app on your phone. Some genius has divided the world into trillions of 3-meter square pieces and each one has a unique 3 word symbol attached to that precise location. It is already attached to emergency services and if you aren’t in a location with a precise physical address it will spot you and transmit the 3 words that identify your precise location. Every one of you deer-hunting studs that can’t get high enough to suit you (yes, I have been guilty and lucky to have not fallen out of one of these contraptions — especially now since I nap so easily) should put this app on your phone. Easy and free is the best I can do. Don’t screw around. Do it right now. One guy called with an address and it was duplicated in another town — they were a long time finding him. That doesn’t ever have to happen again. My solution is easy — I can put up a popup blind and fall out of my chair with minimal consequences. There is a time in our lives when climbing trees should be fondly remembered and not challenged. Get that application. I’m considering a harness for my popup blind.
Ducks have gotten a bit tedious. The Bottoms have had tremendous pressure this year. Seems like I have seen more out-of-state tags than any year I can remember. I haven’t spoken to Jason, but Brian has made similar comments. I suspect that the commissioners will hopefully put in some kind of 10-day restrictions per year for out-of-state guys as has South Dakota for pheasant hunting. You are an honored and welcome guest for 10 days or such per year. Protecting our resources and local sportsmen has to gain some kind of consideration. I understand the economics and such, but I hope some modicum of common sense would occur. I personally think our pheasants would be better if we eliminated the January season. I have had that discussion and some really smart guys disagree with me and I respect their data. It just seems ...
Aren’t we lucky to live in a place where our wildlife allows us the bounty of eating the best food obtained with the most expensive toys (have you bought goose decoys or mojos lately?) that we can afford — or not? I look at some of these new duck boats and scratch my head. Sure wish I had one of those ... then I would have to get a new shotgun and a dog and a trailer ...
Sorta like a cowboy buying a rope!
Doc
Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast.
