Guns and basic firearm safety tips for hunters
Basic Tips on Firearm Safety For HuntersEvery year, hundreds if not thousands of hunting accidents happen across the country; just ask Vice President Dick Cheyney. Most of these would not have happened if people had just practiced a few basic gun safety techniques.Know your weapon or firearmRead your firearms owner's manual from cover to cover so you thoroughly know your gun. You should also practice taking apart your shotgun or rifle and inspect it thoroughly.If you learn to do that and what your weapon looks like normally, it will be easy for you to recognize any abnormalities of the gun in the field. If you get clumsy drop your weapon or fall with it it, immediately take it apart and check it for damage. Make sure that the slide and everything else operates smoothly. If you have any doubts about your shotgun or rifle, don't fire it. Know about the ammunition that you are going to to use. A .22 caliber bullet, for example, fired from a rifle can travel over two and a half miles. That is information you need to know so you don't put others at risk. Transporting the weaponAlways keep your gun unloaded until you are ready to start hunting. If you are going to hike to a new location and have no chance of seeing any game, unload your guns before starting out. Store the rifle or shotgun and ammunition separately and keep the storage container locked. Never haul a loaded rifle around in your vehicle or on your ATV.Sighting your gameWhen setting up your shot, there are many things to consider before you pull the trigger. Never, ever take a shot at a partially obscured target. Make absolutely sure you identify your prey before raising your gun to take the shot. If you're in any doubt about what is moving, control yourself and your emotions and legal hunting hours.You should always know what's in front of and behind your target before squeezing the trigger. Don't shoot animals that appear on hilltops and near the tops of ridges as you can't see or identify what may be behind the animal. If your target is close to water, rocks, or buildings, keep in mind that bullets can ricochet off hard surfaces. Don't use the gun's scope to look for your game. Use your binoculars first, and if the shot is clear, switch to the scope. Treat your weapon as if it is loaded at all timesNever look down the barrel of a weapon for any reason. Keep your muzzle pointed away from yourself and others at all times. Learn and use various safe carrying positions for carrying your rifle or shotgun while hunting.Keep a clear headNever hunt or handle a gun if you have been drinking or taking medication that may impair your judgment. Even a thing as small as taking a sleeping pill the night before can affect your reflexes during the day. Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before your trip and go home early if you find yourself becoming tired or exhausted.Seeing a big buck or a fat duck, pheasant or goose can be exciting. However it's very important to keep a level head and not let your emotions cloud your judgment. Don't allow yourself to act without thinking through the action first. Wear your safety gearBring along hearing and eye protection and wear them before shooting. Include safety orange in your choice of head gear and upper body clothing. This helps other hunters in the area distinguish you from the prey. Getting shot because you were mistaken for a deer is a sure way to ruin your day. Always think safety first when hunting.Hunting rifles, shotguns and hunting safety > > < < Bow hunting 
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Another great source of information on goose and duck hunting in Eastern South Dakota can be found at the hunting forum at Eastern South Dakota Hunting Forums. If you have any questions about the area just go there and ask. |