Firearms Safety For Hunters
Know your weapon
If your weapon came with an owner’s manual, read it from cover to cover. Practice taking apart your weapon and inspecting it exhaustively. If you recognise what your weapon looks like generally, you'll be fast to make out any irregularities of the weapon in the field. If you drop your weapon or fall when transporting it, take it apart and inspect it for damage. Be sure that the slide engages smoothly. If you're in doubt about the integrity of your rifle, do not fire it untill it is repaired.
School yourself on the ammo that you decide to use. A .22 caliber bullet fired from a rifle can travel over two and a half miles. This knowledge is necessary to line up a safe shot.
Transporting the weapon
Always keep your weapon discharged till you are ready to fire it safely. If you're going to hike to a new location, unload the weapon before you even start out. Store the rifle and ammunition on an individual basis and, whenever possible, keep the storage container locked. Never carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle or upon an ATV.
Sighting your quarry
While sighting up your designated shot, there are a lot of things to consider before pulling the trigger. Never shoot at a partly obscured target. Identify your target in full prior to even raising your weapon to take a shot. If you're in doubt about what is moving, check your excitement and hold off till the target can be fully visualized. Never hunt after nightfall or before break of the day.
Recognise what is ahead of and behind your target prior to shooting. Don't shoot animals that appear on hilltops and near the tops of ridges as you can't distinguish what may be behind your target. Whenever your game is close to water, rocks, or buildings, bear in mind that bullets can bounce off hard surfaces. Don't use the gun’s scope to sight your game. Use your binoculars first, and then if the shot is clear, change over to the scope.
Handle your weapon as though it's loaded at all times
Never look down the barrel of a weapon for whatever reason. Keep your gun muzzle pointed away from yourself and other people at all times. Learn and utilise assorted safe carrying positions for carrying your rifle in the field.
Maintain a clear mind
Never go hunting or handle a weapon if you've been drinking any alcohol or medication that may impair your judgment. Even a sleeping tablet the night before may bear on your reflexes during your day hunting. Get a whole lot of rest the night before your hunting trip and head home early if you find yourself becoming tired out.
The sighting of that first big buck or a big plump bird can be stimulating. It is important to maintain a level head at all times and not allow your emotions fog your sound judgment. Do not permit yourself to act without thinking through and through the action to be sure it is safe first.
Always wear your safety gear
Also make sure to bring along hearing and eye protective covering and wear them before shooting. Include safety orange in your choice of head gear and upper body clothing. This helps all other hunters in the area to be able to differentiate you from the prey.
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