Enjoy deer season, but be prepared and safe | Toledo, Ohio Hunting Accident Lawyer

Deer gun season began midnight Monday and hunters were out in full force throughout Ohio.

But recent studies show it's not the gun that is likely to injure hunters this year, but other accidents -- namely falling from tree stands or overexertion while hunting.

Here at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC were are here to make sure you're prepared for the hunt in all aspects before heading out to the fields.

According to one Ohio study, half of hunting-related injuries that sent people to the hospital were caused by falls, 92 percent from tree stands. Gunshot wounds made up 29 percent of injuries. Very few of the injuries (2.3 percent) were related to alcohol use.

The biggest lesson learned from the study: Use the safety harness that comes standard on all tree stands.

The Treestand Manufacturer's Association has numbers that show 60 percent of hunting accidents are from tree stand falls. Broken arms, legs and ribs, as well as back and spinal cord injuries are possible.

The Ohio study shows that 80 percent of falls result in surgery and four patients in Ohio alone have ended up paralyzed. Only one so far has reported using a safety harness.

Gravity will always win in a fall, so be safe and wear a harness.

If you are going out to hunt this week, we hope you have had a check-up lately to make sure you can handle the stress of hunting.

A recent study by a Michigan hospital found that a deer hunter's heart rate would double upon seeing a deer, even when standing still. After shooting, gutting and dragging a deer out the woods, the heart rate raced well above the maximum.

The study concluded with what we already know: Hunting is strenuous and can trigger heart disease in sedentary men and women.

Moving through the wooded areas, occasionally uphill, can cause the heart to work hard. If you're not usually used to that sort of exertion, it's possible you can get worn out quickly and, when you add dragging a 200-pound buck back to your vehicle, it could be a recipe for tragedy.

It's wise to know the warning signs of a heart attack (numbness in the arms, face or legs, sudden dizziness or lack of coordination), have a wireless phone within range of a tower, move at a comfortable pace and rest if you feel tired and get help to move a deer to your vehicle.

We're hopeful the 2010 deer gun season will be one residents can enjoy and celebrate. A few cautious steps along the way will help make that a reality.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a hunting accident, call our Toledo, Ohio hunting accident attorneys at 800.637.8170 for a free case evaluation or to request your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book.