Unit 6: Be A Safe Hunter

- 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

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

- 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

Make a fist with your thumbs held up. Gradually draw your arms in toward the front until both thumbs are in focus without moving your eyes. This will give you your outer boundaries.

A way to visualize 45 degrees is to focus on a distant, fixed object that is straight out in front of you. Stretch your arms straight out from your sides.

padded, soft-sided case

Advantages of this case: - light, easy to handle and store - many designs accommodate scoped rifles - offered in camouflage - waterproof and floating cases available for duck hunters - less costly than hard cases Disadvantage: - less protection than hard-sided cases

lockable, hard-sided case

Advantages of this case: - lightweight but sturdy - meets airline standards - can include deep foam padding that holds firearm in place and cushions impact - composite models can be molded to fit firearm - available in waterproof models Disadvantage: - bulkier than soft-sided cases - costlier than soft-sided cases

gun sock

Advantages of this case: - lightweight protection from dust, dirt, and moisture - offered in camouflage - often used as a second case to carry a firearm from a vehicle into a hunting area Disadvantage: - minimal protection from elements or impact

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.

Commercial stands that are manufactured, certified, and tested to industry standards are best

Homemade tree stands should not be used.

If a bird turns and flies back across the line of hunters, it's best if all three hold their swings and do not fire. The same is true of a rabbit scurrying back between the hunters.

If three hunters are walking side by side hunting pheasants, the hunter in the center will shoot at birds flushed in the middle which fly straight away. The other hunters will shoot at birds flying toward their end of the line.

- Increase risk of injury resulting from falling - Can be difficult to carry, especially large, portable stands - Provide no protection from cold or wind - Give little room for movement - Cannot move toward game while hunting

disadvantages of elevated stands

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

- 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

three point climbing

gear elevator (3 points of contact while climbing)

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

gun case types for transporting firearms

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

- weather, especially the sun's glare - pests, such as fire ants, snakes, and bees - your emotional state - your stamina, especially when hunts are physically demanding

in addition to gun handling, several other factors affect your safety during the hunt:

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

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

Transporting firearms involves both legal and safe practices.

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

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

mechanical failure

an obstructed barrel or improper ammunition

treat every gun as if it were loaded

cardinal rule of firearm safety

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

binocular

rifle scope should never be used as a

dog

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

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

- Read all range rules that apply to the type of shooting you will do that day. - If there is a range master, be sure to follow his or her instructions while shooting. - When not shooting, unload your firearm and leave it on the range line or bench until you're given further instructions. - Don't handle your firearm while other shooters are downrange. Step away from the firing line or bench until the range is clear and the range master instructs you to approach the line or bench. - If no range master is present, all shooters must decide on safety commands beforehand so that it's clear when someone intends to go downrange. - Before any person goes beyond the firing line or downrange, unload your firearm and step away from the line until the other person returns. - Under no circumstances should you shoot a firearm when someone is downrange or past the firing line. - Always wear hearing and eye protection, even if you're watching others shoot. - Respond immediately to anyone calling for a "cease fire."

shooting range rules

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

zone of fire

the area in which a hunter can shoot safely

lack of control and practice

this can lead to accidental discharges and stray shots

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

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

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

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

step

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

- Provide a wider field of vision—game is spotted sooner than at ground level - Allow time to plan for best shot through earlier detection of game - Position a hunter above the animal's normal field of vision - Make a hunter's scent harder to detect and movement less noticeable - Make a hunter more visible to other sportsmen so that he or she is less likely to be hit by a stray bullet - Provide a good backstop for arrows or bullets due to shooting at a downward angle

advantages of elevated stands

obstruction

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

fences, obstacles, rough terrain

always unload guns before crossing

will cover

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

- durable stretch fabric (polyester/acrylic) or - soft pile materials

material of gun socks

- aluminum or - composite

material of lockable, hard-sided gun cases

- canvas - nylon - neoprene - polyester - leather

material of padded, soft-sided gun cases

- 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