WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Hunters getting ready for the upcoming seasons need to be prepared for anything. There are a number of factors you can face while hunting.
"You are putting on those extra clothes that are five to ten pounds or whatever it may be. You go into your tree stand, you're going up, you're coming down, you're dragging the deer. Sometimes uphill and sometimes downhill, you're dragging the deer to your car. You get out of breath and don't know exactly what you are getting into afterwards," said Mike Davis of Healthy Partners.
Next week, UPMC Williamsport is hosting a hunter safety event at Liberty Arena in the city. Hunters can expect to be put to similar tests that they may encounter in the woods.
"They are going to use a bow or shoot a deer with Airsoft and come down from the stand and do a weighted sled pull. So that way, you know an average deer after gutted is like 160 to 180 pounds and what that is like pulling it out of the woods," Davis said.
In addition, hunters will also have access to health screenings to help determine what they are capable of outdoors.
"The hunters from the community will be able to evaluate their heart health and teach them how to reduce the risks while out in the woods. I think that is the biggest component of the event," said Stan Cary from UPMC North Central.
A number of different groups will be in attendance to help guide hunters to a safe and possibly successful hunting season.
"DCNR will be there in connection with the Game Commission doing some education and maps, so people know where they are going and where the State Game Lands are if they don't know already and are new to the area," Davis said.
The Healthy Hunters event will be held on Tuesday, October 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Liberty Arena. The event is free to attend.