Safety First
As a Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor we can't emphasis enough to our students some of the key points to safe hunting and shooting. Some of the ones we really try to pound into them are:
1. Positively identify your target AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
2. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction - ALWAYS.
3. Always wear the required amount of blaze orange.
4. Always use a fall arrest system and a climbing aid when hunting from a treestand. And always use 3 points of contact when going up or down.
It is unbelievable the incidents that occur and how easily they could have been avoided. Yes, we call them incidents because they are NOT accidents.
No animal, no matter how big, is worth harming another individual. And if you think of it, these victims are usually known by the shooter. A father, son, uncle, friend, etc...
Please be careful out there this year. And God bless you all.