Shhh! Be verwy verwy quiet, I'm hunting deer Published Sept. 9, 2011 By Andy Swenson 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's that time of year again when the camouflage my relatives have been wearing all year comes back in style. That's right - it's deer season. The woods seem to come alive as hunters push, stalk or lay in ambush of what they hope will become this season's sausage sticks. Remember hunters, there are certain requirements you must meet before you can go out and bag the thirty-point buck. If you were born after 1961, you must complete a certified hunter's education course in order to purchase or apply for your hunting licenses (your AF Form 522 doesn't count). There are some exceptions to this law, one being that children under the age of 12 hunting with a parent or legal guardian are not required to have a license. Review the rules on the North Dakota game and fish website at www.gf.nd.gov. Trying to find a spot to hunt may be trickier than you think; previous hunters may have damaged the reputation of all hunters, making land owners weary about allowing you to hunt their property. If you are allowed to hunt on someone's land, ensure you treat their land with respect and obey their rules. Preserving the sport for everyone is more important than filling your tag. Pay specific attention to where and how you put up your tree stand. If you have never put up a tree stand, you may want to ask for help from a knowledgeable source. It's easier to ask for help than it is to guide the rescue workers to your location where you are lying on the ground with broken bones. Once you have your stand up, remember to wear your fall protection. It'll keep you from falling out of your stand the first time you see the big one and freak out. Canadian geese are on the move again, marking the beginning of the early season for them. Having great blinds, top of the line decoys and $200 goose calls are great for getting the geese in, but you need to also be mindful of the area you are set up in. You don't want to call in some geese, pop out of your blind looking to take the shot only to find yourself peppered by birdshot from the guy across the pond. The bottom line is to never lose your situational awareness when hunting, regardless of whether you are aiming for a deer, goose, squirrel or anything else you are licensed to take. Good luck to all the hunters. Have a safe season and keep everything that is not on your hunting license alive and healthy.