Natural Resources Office stays on track with safety

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The base Natural Resources Office is reminding hunters to obtain the right credentials and adhere to all safety measures during the hunting season.
According to Mark Gates, wildlife biologist, there are a few things a hunter can do to ensure safety, beginning with clothing. While camouflage can still be used, Hunter's Orange is the best choice.

"Hunter's Orange clothing is a significant reason why hunting accidents have greatly reduced," said Mr. Gates. "Mistaking other hunters for game animals used to be one of the most common hunting accident causes. Since no game animal is Hunter's Orange in color, it makes it significantly easier for hunters to spot one another."

Hunters are also encouraged to carry a knife, flashlight, compass, cell phone and a whistle.
Additionally, fire starting items and adequate clothing are essential for hunters who face the possibility of getting lost in cold weather or remote locations.

These tools will benefit a hunter on and off base. However, base law goes a step further to ensure the safety of Barksdale hunters and residents.

Hunting area buffers help keep non-hunters safe from hunting accidents. No firearm hunting is allowed close to any residential or occupied work areas on base. Signs are also posted along major roadways as a warning that hunting is in progress.

"It's important for non-hunters to notice and obey these signs to prevent them from entering a hunting area," said Staff Sgt. Chris Breland, base game warden NCOIC. "On any deer hunting day where firearms are being used, the areas being hunted are closed to all other recreational activities."

To make sure all safety measures are upheld, hunters are required to take a base hunter safety course every three years. The course lasts an hour and a half, and explains the way the natural resource office manages hunts, allows hunters to register deer stands and covers all the major safety topics.

"Anyone who is interested in hunting on Barksdale must take this course," Mr. Gates said. "It is designed to answer almost all questions hunters would have about hunting on-base, and is required before they can legally hunt on-base."

Some hunters may have to attend an additional state-approved hunter's safety course. This class is 10 hours long, and goes into greater detail on hunting and firearm safety, wildlife identification and management and other aspects of hunting.

However, according to Mr Gates, hunters can purchase a license on-base for a tenth of the cost of an off-base license and enjoy the 18,000 acres of land Barksdale has to offer.

"Barksdale has some of the nicest hunting areas in Northern Louisiana," Mr. Gates said. "Our quality deer management program is producing some very nice deer that are as good as, if not better than, most hunting areas around here. It's also convenient. You don't have to drive very far to enjoy good hunting."

Sergeant Breland agrees.

"Deer hunting is the best thing on base," he said. "It's like Louisiana's secret - the best deer hunting in the state."

A hunter's safety course will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 and Dec. 9 at the Natural Resources Office. For more hunting information, call Mr. Gates at 456-3353.