Basic Firearm Safety For Hunters
Every year, hundreds of hunting accidents occur across America; just ask Vice President Cheney. Most of these accidents can be avoided by observing a few basic gun safety techniques.
Know your weapon. Read your owner’s manual from cover to cover. Take your weapon apart and reassemble it a few times, inspecting it thoroughly. When you know what your weapon should like normally, you will quickly recognize anything unusual going on with the weapon in the field. Did you drop your weapon or fall while carrying it, be sure to take the time to take it apart and inspect it for damage. Be sure that the slide moves smoothly. If you are ever unsure about the integrity of your rifle, DON’T fire it! Your life isn’t worth a mistake here!
Be well educated about the ammunition that you choose to use. Did you know that a .22 caliber bullet fired from a rifle can travel over two and a half miles? You need to know this type of information to line up a safe shot.
Transporting the weapon. Make sure you keep your weapon unloaded until you are ready to fire. If you are moving to a new hunting spot, always unload your weapon before starting out. The rifle and ammunition should be stored separately and, if possible, keep the storage container locked. Never carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle or on an ATV.
Sighting your prey. Once you have sighted your intended shot, consider many things before pulling the trigger. Never shoot at a partially obscured target. You should always identify your prey fully before you even raise your weapon to take that shot. If there is any doubt about what is moving, don’t get too excited, wait until the target can be fully seen and identified. Never hunt after dusk or before daybreak.
Know what is around, in front of and behind your target before you shoot. Since you cannot identify anything that may be behind your target, don’t fire at animals on hilltops and near the tops of ridges. If your game is near water, rocks, or buildings, remember that bullets might ricochet off hard surfaces. Don’t use only the gun’s scope to sight your game. Use your binoculars first. If you have a clear shot, switch to the scope.
Treat your weapon as if it is loaded at all times. Never, ever look down the barrel of your weapon for any reason! Always point your muzzle away from yourself and other people. Learn and use various safe carrying positions for transporting your rifle in the field.
Always keep a clear head. You should never go hunting or handle a weapon if you have taken any alcohol or medication that can impair your judgment. Even a sleeping pill the night before can affect your reflexes during the day.
Get plenty of rest the night before your trip and go back home or to camp early if you find yourself becoming drowsy. Sighting a big buck or a fat bird is exciting. But it’s extremely important to keep a level head all the time. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Never allow yourself to act without thinking through the action until you can first determine if it’s safe.
Wear your safety gear. Make sure you bring along and use your hearing and eye protection. Include safety orange in your selection of head gear and upper body clothing. This can save your life by helping other hunters in the area distinguish you from the prey.
Every year, hundreds of hunting accidents occur across America; just ask Vice President Cheney. Most of these accidents can be avoided by observing a few basic gun safety techniques.
Know your weapon. Read your owner’s manual from cover to cover. Take your weapon apart and reassemble it a few times, inspecting it thoroughly. When you know what your weapon should like normally, you will quickly recognize anything unusual going on with the weapon in the field. Did you drop your weapon or fall while carrying it, be sure to take the time to take it apart and inspect it for damage. Be sure that the slide moves smoothly. If you are ever unsure about the integrity of your rifle, DON’T fire it! Your life isn’t worth a mistake here!
Be well educated about the ammunition that you choose to use. Did you know that a .22 caliber bullet fired from a rifle can travel over two and a half miles? You need to know this type of information to line up a safe shot.
Transporting the weapon. Make sure you keep your weapon unloaded until you are ready to fire. If you are moving to a new hunting spot, always unload your weapon before starting out. The rifle and ammunition should be stored separately and, if possible, keep the storage container locked. Never carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle or on an ATV.
Sighting your prey. Once you have sighted your intended shot, consider many things before pulling the trigger. Never shoot at a partially obscured target. You should always identify your prey fully before you even raise your weapon to take that shot. If there is any doubt about what is moving, don’t get too excited, wait until the target can be fully seen and identified. Never hunt after dusk or before daybreak.
Know what is around, in front of and behind your target before you shoot. Since you cannot identify anything that may be behind your target, don’t fire at animals on hilltops and near the tops of ridges. If your game is near water, rocks, or buildings, remember that bullets might ricochet off hard surfaces. Don’t use only the gun’s scope to sight your game. Use your binoculars first. If you have a clear shot, switch to the scope.
Treat your weapon as if it is loaded at all times. Never, ever look down the barrel of your weapon for any reason! Always point your muzzle away from yourself and other people. Learn and use various safe carrying positions for transporting your rifle in the field.
Always keep a clear head. You should never go hunting or handle a weapon if you have taken any alcohol or medication that can impair your judgment. Even a sleeping pill the night before can affect your reflexes during the day.
Get plenty of rest the night before your trip and go back home or to camp early if you find yourself becoming drowsy. Sighting a big buck or a fat bird is exciting. But it’s extremely important to keep a level head all the time. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Never allow yourself to act without thinking through the action until you can first determine if it’s safe.
Wear your safety gear. Make sure you bring along and use your hearing and eye protection. Include safety orange in your selection of head gear and upper body clothing. This can save your life by helping other hunters in the area distinguish you from the prey.
