HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

All board members:


I felt compelled after reading another story of a hunter dieing while hunting to mention.....

This season and every season please use your good common sence and good hunting practices.

Make sure if you have a new hunter(s) with you to reinforce the importance of safty!

Hope fully with a good number of recomendations on this thread we can assist in some safe hunting and possibley save a life or an injury.

Thanks!
Jred

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

The only thing I have to say on this topic a man and an animal look nothing alike, be sure of your target. Never shoot at sound or movement... and always keep the saftey on!

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

-Dont stand over your rifle when in a climber
-Use your safety harnest
-Let a person know where you are hunting
-Clear the camber and remove the clip when lowering your rifle to the ground

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

You should always know what is beyond your target before making your shot. Wear your blaze orange even if it isn' t required. Don' t go horseback riding during hunting season on PUBLIC HUNTING LAND. Unless you are hunting from horseback.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

Unload your weapon when you cross a fence, gate, etc...

Carry a compass and know how to use it especially when hunting in an unfamiliar area.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

Never shoot at a target that is not in plain sight, and be aware of the direction
you are shooting, after all a rifle shot will carry along way.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

Thank you all whom have offered some good advise so far!

All who read this PLEASE offer your suggestions.... It' s good for others and for our selves as reminders.

-Unload your rifle when entering you car or getting on your ATV
-Be sure your rifle is clear of any ammo when entering camp
-Know your surroundings and whom is hunting near you

KEEP THEM COMING!

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

Do not use your riflescope in place of binoculars.It is a sighting system to be pointed only at targets that you intend to shoot. It is not to be used for scanning the countryside or identifying objects that may turn out to be human.Remember if you see another human in your scope you are pointing a firearm at him which is both dangerous and illegal in most places.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

Great points so far! I will add:

1. Always wear a safety harness if using a treestand (already mentioned)
2. Keep your firearm' s chamber empty if you ever set it down or lean it up or walk away from it for some reason, and esp. before handing it to someone.
3. ALWAYS be conscious of where that firearm is pointing - don' t " sweep" people with it.
4. Communicate with your hunting partners about where you are/will be.
5. Don' t wear a set of fake antlers as a costume outside on Halloween.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

All excellent points, use common sense and remember that hunting presents many opportunities...therefore no need to rush, think unrationally or make poor judgement calls.

Have a great and safe season.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

I have read posts on this board where some hunters only use flashlights while walking to their stands when the moon doesn' t provide enough light for them to see their way. I always use a flashlight, even when I can see my way. It' s not for my benefit, but so that other hunters don' t confuse me with a deer.

RE: SAFETY.. INPUT!
 

-Dont be intimidated or scared of identifying your self should you be in question as to if you are in harms way.

-Private or public it is always a good Idea to wear your blaze orange while walking in the woods.

-Always have a back up plan

-Dont run with your rifle.

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

Many have read the post but not all to many suggestions. Please share your suggestions....

Every one who has so far thanks, they are good hutning safety suggestion that I think we all can benifit from.

Thanks:)

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

If you hunt in a party or group make sure all members have the same feelings of safety first. It is especially nerve racking when someone in your group goes off half cocked and doesn' t use safe hunting practices. I have found the hard way it is much easier to weed out prior to leaving than once in the field. A good way is to have a sit down over some munchies to discuss safety and each others take. This will keep everybody' s mind at ease when the head out or are pushing bush! Also keeping with the party hunters, make sure your group knows that booze is not part of your hunt. While it is fine to have drink with supper, it is not fine to drink yourself sick. Hunting and booze does not mix, the sooner everybody knows the expectations the better.

Always treat a gun as if it were loaded and as such keep the muzzle in a safe direction and in control at all times.

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

I changed the wording of always treat a gun as " if" it' s loaded to as though it' s loaded. to me " if" implies it might not be or it might be if you treat it like it' s loaded seems a safer way.

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

Five things for tree stand hunters.......

1. NEVER use a pull up line that can hold more than about 25% of your weight. You wouldn' t want to be found hung dead in the woods should you get tangled up in it accidentally.

2. My invention. Since I don' t bow from tree stands, just shotgun, and take my shots sitting. I have seat belts on my stands. Go to the boneyard and pull them out of (my favorites) pick ups, vans (especially conversion vans). Unbolt them and take the whole set up, D-rings and all. Bolt them to your stand seat and use them! You won' t stand a chance of forgetting them cause they are always there.

3. If you use a safety harness, only allow yourself the the minimum amount of slack you can get away with. If you should fall, the more distance you fall before STOPPING the more you' re gonna feel it.

4. If using a harness, try to use a " decellerator" type lanyard rated for your weight. If you do fall, you won' t have a sudden jolt when you come to a stop.

5. Never use a " around the waist type" belt. If you are left to hang from it for even a minute, your diaphragm cannot move and you basically suffocate. Use a proper size, full body harness only.

Two other things..........

1. Always assume there is atleast one broken off arrow shaft with broadhead in every animal when you go to gutting it out. Let the animal do the bleeding.

2. VERY IMPORTANT! NEVER travel afield in the dark without a light on your body. We like the newer carabeener type LED types. They attach to you about anywhere, can be bright, medium, low, fast blink or slow blink. They are available in multiple colors and individual guys can be easily identified by their perspective colors.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

The golden rule of owning a gun:

Treat every gun as if it was loaded!

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

- You should still ware your helmet on your ATV when heading to your spot.

- When lowering your gun be sure it is clear of all ammo, and when lowering the rifle be sure the barrel is not going to dig into the ground.

- Check all perminant stands for structural integreity before useing (Pre-season)

It is good to see some members have shared very good practices when it comes to hunting saftey.

Please, read through them all and take them in.... and add to the list.

Thanks,

Jred

RE: HUNTING SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
 

here is one i like to keep in mind. on windy days, be careful not to park yourself under a tree that might get blown over on you, and be aware of branches that may fall on you.