Unit 6: Be A Safe Hunter

in the home

1/2 of fatal firearm incidents reported each year occur

- Muzzle pointed in a safe direction and under control - Safety "on" until immediately before you're ready to shoot - Finger outside the trigger guard

3 rules that apply to all safe carrying methods

In addition to federal laws, there are regulations that vary from state to state.

Transporting firearms involves both legal and safe practices.

sling carry

a field carry easy for long treks through open country. Keep a hand on the sling when walking so that it doesn't slide off your shoulder if you trip. Not recommended for thick brush because the gun could be knocked from your shoulder

shoulder carry

a field carry that is a good choice when walking beside or behind others. Don't use it if someone is behind you

cradle carry

a field carry that is comfortable and secure; reduces arm fatigue. Like the two-handed or ready carry, can be used as either a right- or left-handed carry. Do not use if your gun would be pointed at others when walking side-by-side

elbow / slide carry

a field carry that is comfortable, but has the least muzzle control. It can snag in brushy terrain. Use it when no one is in front of you

trail carry

a field carry that leaves a hand free for balance. Not recommended when you're behind someone, or walking in snow or brush because debris could get in

step

a hunter's zone-of-fire changes with every

skyline shots

a shot where you cannot see what lies beyond the target; don't take these shots

hunting incident

a situation where a hunter directly or indirectly causes personal injury or death while using a firearm or bow; or any unplanned, uncontrolled action that occurs while using a sporting arm

the shooting range

a successful hunt begins with target practice at

obstruction

after accidentally dipping the barrel into the ground or snow, immediately check for an

will cover

before setting off in a group, hunters should agree on the zone-of-fire each person

treat every gun as if it were loaded

cardinal rule of firearm safety

- Point the muzzle in a safe direction. - Open the action, and make sure the firearm is unloaded. - Check for debris in the barrel. If the firearm is a break action, look through the barrel from the breech end, or use a barrel light to inspect the barrel for obstructions. - Remove any obstructions with a cleaning rod. - Check the barrel again to make sure no debris remains.

checking for obstruction

45 degrees

each hunter has a zone-of-fire which spans about ____ directly in front of each hunt

- hunter's shooting ability - game being hunted - hunting environment - hunting strategy

factors that contribute to zone of fire

25 - 40

hunters should be spaced _____ yards apart and always in sight of one another

- to the front or - up

if three hunters are walking side by side, the one in the center should keep the gun pointing

- to the side away from their party - to the front

if three hunters are walking side by side, the ones at the sides may carry their guns pointing either

to the side or the rear

if three hunters are walking single file, the hunter in the rear may point

ahead, but never over the shoulder

if three hunters are walking single file, the one in the lead should have the gun pointed

to the side

if three hunters are walking single file, the one in the middle must have the gun pointed

locations at all times

it's important to remain alert and aware of your companions'

rest NOT against a vehicle

lean a firearm against a secure

- Point the muzzle in a safe direction. - Open the action; make sure the barrel is unobstructed. - Put the safety on if the firearm can be loaded with the safety on. - Load the ammunition. - Close the action. - Put the safety on if you were not able to do so before loading.

loading firearms

hunter judgement mistakes

mistaking another person for game or not checking the foreground or background before firing

ice or snow

never use portable tree stands on trees covered with

safety rule violation

pointing the muzzle in an unsafe direction and ignoring proper procedures for crossing a fence, obstacle, or difficult terrain

butt, never the muzzle

pull a gun toward you by the

unloaded

removal of ammunition from the magazine or removal of the magazine from the firearm does not mean the firearm is

dog

same rules for safe carry apply when your hunting companion is a

hang-on stands

simple portable tree stands that provide about four square feet of space. They must be hauled into place and secured to the tree with belts or chains. These stands require separate climbing aids such as segmented ladders or climbing sticks

youth hunter (in this case, the adult should be a supervisor only—not a hunter)

some states require an adult to be immediately beside a

fence post

to prevent damage to the fence, cross wire fences close to a

- handmade tree stands - hang-on stands - climbing stands

types of portable tree stands

- Point the muzzle in a safe direction. - Put the safety on if it is not already on. - Keep your finger outside the trigger guard. - Open the action. - Remove the ammunition by first detaching the magazine. Eject cartridges or shells if it's the only way to remove them. - Make sure the gun is empty by checking both the chamber and the magazine.

unloading firearms

- hunter judgement mistakes - safety rule violations - lack of control and practice - mechanical failure

4 main causes of hunting incidents

muzzle

80% of all firearm incidents occur within 10 yards of the

The action should be open or the gun broken down, whichever makes the firearm safest if it's mishandled

Always unload and case firearms before transporting them. In many states, this may be the law.

two-handed / ready carry

a field carry that provides the best control, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to fire quickly. Can be used as either a right- or left-handed carry. Use only if your gun would not be pointed at others while walking side-by-side

fences, obstacles, rough terrain

always unload guns before crossing

mechanical failure

an obstructed barrel or improper ammunition

- the trail carry - forward-facing elbow - side carry

field carry for hunters facing one another

window gun racks because the display may provoke anti-hunter sentiment

firearms should not be displayed in

2

for new hunters, ____ is a safer number until they become familiar with maintaining a proper zone-of-fire

3

for safety purposes, it's best to have no more than ____ hunters in a group

- padded, soft-sided case - lockable, hard-sided case - gun sock

gun case types for transporting firearms

climbing stands

self-climbing portable tree stands designed for trees with straight trunks and consist of two sections. A hunter "walks" the stand up a tree by moving the top section with the hands and the bottom section with the feet

zone of fire

the area in which a hunter can shoot safely