By Chris Hannaford
Enid Lake Park Ranger

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would like to remind all hunters to make safety “TOP PRIORITY” this fall while participating in the 2008-2009 hunting season.

A few handy tips to keep hunters safe this fall are as follows: always inspect all hunting equipment including guns, bows, tree stands, ATV’s, boats etc. before use to ensure proper operation; always let someone know where you are going and an expected arrival time; and practice the buddy system.

Like most sports proper safety gear is essential. Hunters and outdoorsmen should wear fluorescent orange when enjoying the great outdoors during hunting season, and wear a life jacket when hunting from a boat, or wading to and from duck blinds. Hunters should wear a safety harness when hunting from a tree stand and always use a haul line to raise and lower unloaded firearms.

While in the field hunters should never cross fences and creeks with loaded firearms, and never transport loaded firearms in motorized vehicles including: boats or ATV’s. Last but not least, hunters should always identify their target and what is beyond it before shooting.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would also like to remind hunters that hunting is allowed on government property at Enid Lake. Area’s restricted to hunting include: developed recreation areas, Springdale Wildlife Management Area, and areas marked no hunting by signs.

Hunters hunting on government property should be aware that all seasons are set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, and all state rules and regulations apply.

Hunters should remember that government property is public property and everyone has a right to enjoy it.

We would like to remind hunters that it is illegal to permanently attach any type deer stand or drive any foreign object into trees located on government property.

Hunting maps are available at the End Lake Field Office for hunters acquiring literature on boundary lines, designated hunting areas and areas restricted to hunting.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would like to wish all hunters a safe and successful hunting season.

For more information on hunting or other fall recreational activities please contact the Enid Lake Field Office at 662-563-4571 or visit our website at http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Lakes/ms/enid/.