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With hunting season in full swing, it’s important to remember and practice the rules of staying safe while out in the field.
Here are our top 7 tips for staying safe while hunting.
- You Firearm is Always Loaded: If you live by this mantra, you limit the chances of accidentally injuring yourself or someone in your group. When handling any firearm, always treat it as if it’s loaded.
- You Muzzle Should Always be Pointed in a Safe Direction: If you don’t intend to shoot it, don’t point your gun at it. This is another mantra that you should always live by when handling a firearm.
- Keep your finger OFF the Trigger: Unless you’re about to fire at your target, your finger should never be anywhere near the trigger of your gun. This is one of the most common – and irritating, not to mention dangerous, – mistakes that I see people make.
- Never fire without knowing what’s beyond your Target: During the excitement of a hunt, people often don’t take adequate precautions when it comes to knowing what’s beyond their target; this is a mistake that can have deadly consequences. I don’t care how great of a shot you have, if you don’t know what lies beyond your target that’s one shot that should never be taken.
- Have a Written Safety Plan: When hunting, make sure someone knows your plans. Have a written plan that includes where you’re hunting, where your camping, who is in your party, and what time you intend to return. If something happens, it’s going to be much easier for rescuers to respond if they know your plans.
- Keep your emotions in check: Hunting can be an emotional rollercoaster; you can spend hours patiently and calmly stalking your target, followed by a rush of adrenaline when you spot your game. Remember to keep your emotions in check. If you become overly anxious or excited, it’s better to pass on the shot than making a careless mistake that you may regret later.
- Always Know What You’re Shooting: The ability to quickly identify your game is an important aspect that cannot be overlooked. Unless your 100% sure, and have a clear unobstructed view of what you’re targeting, DO NOT TAKE THE SHOT.
Never take your safety for granted. These simple, common sense tips can prevent hunting accidents and save lives.
