A risky reality

I am lucky to live in a game rich area with hunting opportunities right on my doorstep. I take advantage of that and, depending on the weather, I hunt multiple times in any week.

It is convenient and easy being able to conduct quick half-hour hunts at dawn or dusk while having the rest of my day clear for other activities. Being in such constant and close contact with my hunting locations, it would be easy to slip into a sense of complacency as to the ever-present risks involved in my undertakings.

The most obvious risk, and one that I am well aware of, is snake bites. Our area has an abundance of snakes, both harmless and deadly, and I encounter them regularly. For years now, when out in the bush, I have worn knee-high, heavy-duty gaiters. I also carry a small emergency kit with a pressure bandage and a personal safety beacon. Most of the places I hunt offer no mobile phone coverage, so there is usually not a chance of calling the cavalry