Hunting Safety

Don't become a statistic

Always keep guns pointed in a safe direction, and when hunting, always know the location of hunting partners.

Always keep your finger off the trigger, with the safety on, until ready to fire.

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Never have a loaded gun in a vehicle when hunting.

Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons, unloaded, with the ammunition separate from the guns.

Do not transport or handle a gun if you are not sure how it operates. Always check to make sure the gun is unloaded.

Never fire a gun unless you intend to fire it at a specific object, and know what is beyond the target.

Never look down the barrel of a gun to see if it's loaded.

Use only the correct size and caliber of ammunition for the gun you are using. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions.

Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.

Never use alcohol or drugs before or while target shooting or hunting.

Treat all guns as if they are loaded until you personally inspect it, and avoid horseplay with a firearm.

When hunting, never climb a tree or cross a fence with a loaded gun and, when appropriate, wear hunter orange so other hunters will see you.

• Be sure of your target and beyond before you shoot.
• Make sure your equipment is in good working condition and your firearm is properly sighted in.
• If you hunt from a tree stand, always wear a safety harness. Serious accidents occur annually when hunters fall from tree stands.
• If you hunt on private land, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner and respect his/her property as if it were your own. Scout the area you plan to hunt so you know where the boundaries, houses, roads, fences and livestock are located on the property.
• If you do not kill your deer or turkey instantly, make every effort to find the wounded animal. Permission is required to enter private land and/or refuge areas.
• Clean and care for your game properly.
• Pick up all litter. Leaving an area better than the way you found it is a sign of thanks for the privilege of hunting.
• Report observed violations of the law to a Conservation Agent or local sheriff as soon as possible

Be An Ethical Hunter

An Ethical hunter is a Responsible hunter:

• Know and obey all wildlife laws.

• Know and follow the rules of gun safety.

• Respect the rights of hunters, nonhunters and landowners.

• Make every effort to retrieve and utilize all game.

• Develop your skills and knowledge and share them with others.

• Respect the land and all wildlife.

• Be sensitive to others when displaying harvested game.

• Remember- hunting is not a competitive sport.

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