Hunting is an American pastime, and many of our friends and clients will soon be heading out to hunt birds or other game. According to the International Hunter Education Association, approximately 1,000 people in the US and Canada are accidentally shot by hunters every year, and just under a hundred of those accidents are fatalities.
Regardless of the hunting activity, safety should always be your top priority.
- Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
- Know the laws and game limits where you will be hunting.
- Pack sufficient clothing to be prepared for weather changes. Dress in layers.
- Check weather conditions and extended forecasts before leaving for your hunting trip.
- Hunters should wear orange when hunting so that they will not become other hunter’s targets.
- Make sure you know what’s in front of, and beyond, the target.
- Always carry a waterproof fire-starting kit in a pocket.
- Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
- If you are planning to use a tree stand, you should wear a safety harness.
- Never go hunting without telling somebody where you're going and when you expect to return.
- Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Do not use alcohol or drugs while you are hunting.
- Stock your boat or ATV box with safety gear, including survival rations, rope, flare gun, space blanket, hand axe, whistle, etc.