ORIGINAL: MJL927
2) always unload the gun before crossing a fence
I have to disagree with this. While this is taught in most of the safety hunter courses and sometimes appears as a test question, in the real world, it is not the right thing to do IMO. Reason? Loading and unloading of the gun is the point at which many accidents can and do occur. You're much better off laying the gun on the opposite side of the fence on the ground or against the fence. Then, WALK AWAY about 10 feet and cross the fence. Once on the other side, go get the gun and continue on. If you're with a friend, let them hold the guns while you cross. Then carefully hand the guns over and let the other person cross. Or, both of you can lay the guns over the fence and walk away about 10 feet like mentioned above.
Likewise, I have some friends who debate the merits of unloading the gun when going up a tree stand. Some feel that it is safer to sling the gun securely over the body, leave it loaded and then get into the stand. The theory being a) unloading/loading the gun is a dangerous step and b) that hoisting the gun up via a pull-rope is prone to having several things go wrong. One of which could be making a mistake in unloading the gun. Personally, I'm for unloading the firearm and using a pull rope when it comes to climbing trees and I preach that method whenever I help teach hunter safety courses.
I can understand your logic there MJL. It could be argued either way. What I will say, and I suspect what everyone will agree on, is that being careful, using your head, and practicing safe firearms handling techniques (which includes always pointing your muzzle in a safe direction) will help keep everyone safe.
I don't think that unloading your firearm in a reasonable manner can anymore dangerous than any other time a firearm is loaded, if it is, then either 1) you're firearm's internal safety mechanisms have been compromised, 2) the user has broken a safe handling rule, such as placing their finger inside the trigger guard. Guns don't just "go off". Something has to happen to make them go off. Smokeless powder, primers etc are some of the most stable combustables there are... much more stable than even gasoline. There are things that can make a gun fire without the user intending it to, but there is ALWAYS a reason behind it.
But again, as you pointed out, the method you teach is certainly safe as well. And it goes to show that taking a little time to be careful will always help keep everyone safe.