Fall is here! For many people in this area, Fall also represents another season as well – hunting season. Whether carrying a bow or a gun, hunting is an activity that too often brings patients into our office. This year, use these tips to stay safe and keep your back healthy while putting food on the table.
- Plan it out. Don’t just take one weekend and try to get everything done. Whether it’s clearing trails, hanging stands or working food plots, playing the “weekend warrior” is a common way that people injure themselves. Space projects out, listen to your body and only do as much as you can comfortably handle at a time.
- Warm up. If you’re going to be hiking through the woods, stretch your legs and your back before loading up. Move often. Early season, late season, and gun season bring varying weather from hot and humid to cold and wet. On those cold damp days, long periods of sitting in a stand are ripe for disaster. Hunters pride themselves on staying still and quiet as long as possible but in the right environment this can lead to muscle spasms, spinal dysfunction, and some unnecessary pain and suffering.
- Check your equipment. This includes everything from making sure your stand is strong and safe, ensuring that your boots still fit well and your waterproof gear still keeps you dry. Use safety harnesses to keep yourself safe.
- Know your body. Health problems with hunting go beyond falls and firearm accidents. While parts of hunting are quiet and calm, other times are quite physical with a lot of walking/hiking, climbing, lifting and pulling. Seeing your medical doctor before hitting the woods to make sure you can handle the strenuous activity is always a good idea. Keeping yourself fit in the off season, reviewing proper lifting techniques and using gear to help take the stress off your back can prevent injury.
Hunting season is a time of year that many people spend the rest of the year waiting for. With these tips you can make it through the season safe, healthy and injury- free, and keep your focus on the animals in front of you.
Happy Hunting!
Written by Dr. Lisa Arkowski
