Make Sure Your Deer Is Dead Before You Start Field Dressing It

My step-dad taught me this lesson and I kinda laughed.  What do you mean?  I shot the darn thing.  I watched it hit the ground.  How can it not be dead?

A Fort Wayne man died Monday because when he got down next to the deer, it was still alive.  It kicked him and lacerated his liver causing him to die.

Usually when we talk about hunting safety it's about gun safety and knowing what you're shooting and what's beyond.  Or you worry about falling out of a deer stand.  Usually it's not the deer you worry about.

Do what I do.  Poke it with a long stick to make sure it's really dead.