FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – The weather and terrain provide opportunities for hiking and exploring the wilderness here as well as hunting in approved areas during designated seasons.
These two outdoor activities often share the same space and to avoid any accidents, the Installation Safety Office provides some tips before you head out into the wilderness.
PREPARE
The weather can change unpredictably. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast in the days and hours leading up to your trip. Dress in warm layers and avoid cotton clothing, which can retain moisture, and wear a water-repelling outer layer.
Also, bring a well-stocked backpack filled with enough food and water for your trip. Being properly fueled and hydrated will help keep you on your game — aware of everything around you to better spot what you’re hunting for!
Getting lost can happen to anyone — and so can getting hurt. "Always let a close friend or family member know where you’ll be hunting and when to expect you back as well as a no later than time. The Fort Huachuca Wilderness Trip Plan is a good tool to use.
HIKERS
Do a little research and talk to the Forest Service, Range Control and other venues to find out the best place to go, what to bring, hazards, etc.
Bring a friend. Never go alone. It’s too easy to get in trouble out there with no help.
Draw up a plan of where you are going, how long you will be gone, what you are taking (how long can you survive if stranded) (Wilderness Trip Plan)
Have an emergency plan and kit. Pack the essentials, but make sure it meets your personal needs.
· First aid kit: tailored to your individual needs (bring your prescriptions)
· Navigation: map, compass, and GPS
· Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
· Insulation: jacket/raincoat, extra layers
· Illumination: flashlight, lantern, or headlamp
· Fire: matches, lighter, fire starters
· Repair kit: duct tape and multi-functional tool
· Nutrition: at least an extra day’s supply of no-cook, nutritious food
· Hydration: water and/or means of water purification
· Emergency shelter: tent, space blanket, tarp, emergency shelter for a sleeping bag)
When sharing the space with hunters, don’t be afraid to make a little noise (bells on the shoes) to make your presence known. Be courteous to all who share the great outdoors. Give them space.
Leave the wildlife alone. Watch from a distance, but do not disturb or approach them.
HUNTERS
Treat all guns as if they were loaded
Never point a gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to shoot.
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.
Remember, you are responsible for everything around the target and beyond. Before you take aim and pull the trigger, know what is beyond and be sure there is nothing around that could be in harm’s way. If you see hikers or other hunters, give them space.
Have a great outing, just be safe and plan ahead and share the experience.
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 964 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/
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