Nearly 500,000 Minnesotans will venture into field and forest when the firearms deer season opens Saturday.

Standing corn is a safety concern this firearms deer hunting season, according to Capt. Mike Hammer of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“The cool summer and wet fall has delayed the corn harvest in many parts of the state,” noted Hammer, the DNR Enforcement Division’s Education Program coordinator. “That harvest delay could create hunter safety issues during deer drives when the firearms deer season kicks off on Nov. 7.”

Deer drives are when a group of hunters walk through a field hoping to flush out deer. Standing crops can cause visibility problems among hunters, creating a safety issue when shooting at running deer.

“The excitement of the hunt can quickly cloud a hunter’s judgment and perception,” Hammer said. “The hunter momentarily forgets about surroundings - even hunting partners. Many times a victim and shooter know one another, since they’re hunting together.”

To ensure safety, deer hunters should establish hunting plans that define who will shoot and when during drives. Each hunting party member should have a predetermined zone of fire and always know the locations of others in the hunting party. Visibility between those stationary on deer drives and those driving deer is important.

“Every hunter assumes an incredible responsibility when using a firearm in the field,” Hammer emphasized. “It’s up to the hunter to make sound shooting decisions. If there’s even the slightest hint that something isn’t right, don’t shoot. There will be other opportunities.”

Hammer reminds hunters to hunt defensively, assuming every movement or sound that they hear is another hunter until they can prove unquestionably that it isn’t. Learn about about deer hunting on the DNR's Web site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/opener/deer.html