Ready, Set, Bow - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Ready, Set, Bow

By: Jillian Wilson

jwilson@cbs4qc.com

Deer Archery Season kicks off in Iowa on Monday and more than 60 thousand people are expected to hit the woods.

Today, young hunters in took a 10 hour safety course to get their hunting license certificate.

"Well, when you're out there hunting with a fire arm, it's where that muzzle is pointed at. Make sure that muzzle is pointed at a safe direction," said Bruce Bindewald, a Hunter Safety Educational Instructor

Every year, there's at least one incident where people are mistaken for deer.

The Iowa DNR class is designed to make sure all hunters are safe.

"Whether it's preserving the game, or survival of being out there should you get caught in a storm, or fall out of a deer stand or become injured, to the ethnical approach as well as some of the game laws," said Jeff Harrison, Iowa State Conservation Officer.

Officials say once you've harvested a deer, you must report it to the Iowa DNR.

If not, you could be fined up to 3 thousand dollars.

Students in the class say ethical hunting and safety are most important.

"You have to watch out for yourself and everybody else around you in the woods and its safety. It's always safety," said Chad Bowden, a course participant.

Here are some tips on how to make yourself known when heading into the woods

"Make some noise, whistle, sing a little tune, carry a bit of a flash light with you when   you're going up there and wear hunter orange."

Veteran hunters say if you do it right and legal, it's a rewarding experience.

"Hunting is a life sport. It's something you can do for the rest of your life. Unlike football, you know you get a little older, a little soarer. You can't necessarily do that... you can sit on a bucket all your life and maybe hunt."

Officials say if you see someone violating a game law, please report it. If one person doesn't play by the rules, it hurts all hunters.