| There are many reasons that a hunter would get | | | | folded and away from any notches until the prey |
| seriously injured, but the leading cause is improper | | | | is well within scope range. One false move with a |
| gun handling. Unfortunately, too many hunters | | | | finger too close to the trigger could result in |
| ignore vital safety precautions when hunting and | | | | accidental firing resulting in injury or death. |
| do not take good care of their weapon. Hunting | | | | Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This, of |
| injuries or fatalities are becoming all too common | | | | course, means that the gun should never be |
| in the world of hunting and many people do not | | | | pointed at another person. Many a story has been |
| seem too concerned about the fatal realities of | | | | told of guns pointed at hunting companions in jest, |
| these incidents. The logical hunter, however, takes | | | | only for the gun to accidentally go off and injure |
| careful note of all of the safety precautions | | | | or kill the unfortunate companion. For this reason |
| involving his or her weapon and learns the basics | | | | and for reasons involving common sense, keep |
| of gun safety for hunters. | | | | the gun pointed somewhere safe and away from |
| One of the first fundamental laws of hunting | | | | yourself and people at all times. This rule applies |
| safety is to always treat the gun as if it is loaded. | | | | whether the gun is loaded or not. |
| This is a universal guideline for gun safety as it | | | | Never look down the barrel of the gun to see if it |
| does not refer to any actual type of gun. In | | | | is loaded. This is simply something that should not |
| terms of having a gun in general, one should | | | | be done under any circumstances. As a reference |
| never assume that it is unloaded. One should | | | | to the aforementioned rules, one of the |
| never be flippant with a gun or wave it around, | | | | fundamental foundations of gun safety is |
| point it at others or work carelessly with it. There | | | | expecting the unexpected. If one is looking down |
| is always the off chance that something could | | | | the gun barrel, there is no predictable way to |
| occur as a result of any gun powder residue or | | | | ensure that the gun will not accidentally fire from |
| other possibilities, giving the odds of a dangerous | | | | powder residue or any other elements that could |
| incident more ground than necessary. Instead, | | | | be lodged in the gun. Keep the face away from |
| simply treat the gun as if it is always loaded and | | | | the gun barrel at all times. |
| err on the side of caution. | | | | Make sure that the gun is never dropped. This |
| In relationship to the aforementioned law of gun | | | | can result in accidental firing, which can send a |
| safety, it is important to be responsible and keep | | | | bullet or powder in a very chaotic and |
| the gun unloaded until it is ready for use on the | | | | unpredictable direction. Instead, always hold the |
| hunting grounds. This avoids any injury or death | | | | gun with both hands and treat it as carefully as |
| due to the gun accidentally going off due to | | | | possible. |
| careless use or due to improper storage. Many a | | | | Never let a person who is intoxicated in any way |
| story has been told about gun injuries relating to | | | | handle a gun. Alcohol and drugs slow the reason |
| guns going off in truck compartments and | | | | factor on people, resulting in a lapse of reason and |
| shooting through truck seating, relating to the | | | | better judgment. An intoxicated person may |
| notion that the gun was not only properly stored | | | | improperly operate a firearm, leading to injury or |
| but that the improperly stored gun was loaded. | | | | possible death. |
| For reasons such as these, always store the gun | | | | All in all, these fundamental rules should be |
| as unloaded. | | | | followed if one wants to ensure a safe and happy |
| When on the hunting field, it is important to | | | | hunting trip. Without paying attention to safety |
| remember hunting safety techniques. Always | | | | regulations, the risk factor of the average hunting |
| keep the fingers in indexed positions until ready to | | | | trip more than doubles and injury is almost |
| fire. This avoids any accidental firing which can | | | | inevitable. Be safe when hunting or handling a gun |
| obviously result in serious injury. Instead, the | | | | of any kind. |
| fingers should be somewhat folded and away | | | | Visit the Hunting Info website to learn about |
| from the trigger if possible. If the fingers are | | | | against fox hunting and turkey hunting tips. |
| more apt to be near the gun's trigger, keep them | | | | |