TOP TEN GUN SAFETY RULES

While handling a gun or firearm, safety is of top importance. In our state, with the legalization of air guns for hunting, I use the term gun instead of firearm because an air gun should be treated as any other hunting implement in the area of safety concerns.  Most accidents are due to careless and unsafe gun handling within a group of hunters known to each other. So especially while in your hunting group, practice these safety rules without exception.

(even in photo sessions, notice the open action, unloaded  rifle and muzzle directed in safe direction - think safety first)

1. Always be aware of where the muzzle of your gun is directed. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction. Never pass it across the group or an individual within the group.
2. All guns are to be treated as if they are loaded. It doesn’t matter if you are 100% positive it is unloaded. Still treat the gun as if it has a load in the chamber.
3. Unload all guns if not in immediate use. Unload, case and store guns when you are not using them. It is a good idea to leave the action open, thereby giving an immediate visual as to it’s state with just a glance.
 4. While in the field. Regularly check of the condition of your gun barrel. Unload and make sure there is
no obstruction in the barrel, especially following a period when you may have been sitting on the ground or anytime you may have set the gun down on the ground.
5. Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard. Unless you actually plan to shoot at that instant, do not keep your finger any place near the trigger. Do not depend fully on the guns mechanical safety, they have been known to fail. Many have squeezed a trigger without even knowing they were doing so, causing an unsafe discharge of the gun.
6. Know exactly what your target is and what is beyond the target. It is your responsibility to know not only what you are shooting at, but what is around the target and in the path of the bullet. Even if a bullet should pass through the target, as often happens, it may travel some distance before next contact. You must know what is beyond your target and what is in the immediate vicinity.
7. Never point your gun at something you don’t intend to shoot. The scope on your rifle is not for spotting game or identifying objects. Don’t allow any horseplay within your group.
8. Use extreme caution while moving around with a gun, especially a loaded gun in a hunting situation. Do not climb fences or trees, run or jump or do any activity that might compromise the control of where the muzzle is pointed at all times. Picking up a gun, do not pull the muzzle toward yourself, always pick it up by the butt stock with the muzzle facing in a safe direction away from you. Unload the gun before climbing a fence or tree stand or crossing an obstacle.
9. The storage of guns and ammunition is extremely important. Safely store guns in locked cases or cabinets, secure from prying eyes and inquisitive youngsters or those careless adults that might be around. Always store the ammunition away from and separate from the gun to minimize the chance of an accident in case the gun is discovered unattended by one of the above individuals.
10. Drugs and Alcohol do not mix with loaded guns. Never drink before shooting or during shooting. This is a bad mixture. If you are taking certain behavioral medications, you should consider not handling guns or firearms while doing so. These are prescribed medications that have warnings on the package about operation of dangerous equipment.
If you practice these safety rules at all times, you will have many years of safe hunting and shooting, thereby greatly enjoying the experiences you have outdoors in pursuit of game. No game animal is worth the cost of a hunting accident due to careless gun handling. I believe the instruction in this area of safe gun handling is one of the most important successes of the hunter safety training programs. We have seen a decrease many years in hunting accidents, of the younger hunters going afield, by those who have done well in hunter training courses. I was a hunter safety trainer for over a decade and these safety rules were repeatedly drilled into the thinking of the young hunters. Following these rules minimizes any accidents and helps make our shooting sports one of the safest outdoor sports to engage in.

PRACTICE RIFLE SHOOTING

         I was out shooting my rifle, in anticipation of the upcoming deer season, the other day and realized just how enjoyable time spent at the range can be. This is something I have always had a hard time getting my mind around; Why hunters are reluctant or find it a drudgery to spend time shooting their hunting rifle.

(one type of deer rifle in 30-06 cal. that is a pleasure to shoot)

  Certainly, in today’s economy, the price of ammunition has risen sharply. Even if you reload, you have felt the crunch of the dollar at the bench. But I think many riflemen have found the secret that bow hunters have known for a long time. That is, it is better to shoot a few arrows each day than try shooting dozens of arrows all at one time. So it is with rifle shooting. I know that for many this means extra work, and travel to and from the range, but it is better to shoot a few shots more often than try to shoot a box or two of shells all at once. As one TV outdoor show host ends his segment with the admonition “… shoot more often!” This is excellent advice for each of us.
I believe this was brought home to me at a very early age. I grew up in the home of a gunsmith, who was also the son of a gunsmith. There was always a flurry of activity, just before deer hunting season opened, where many of the local hunters would bring their firearms to my father and want them sighted in for the upcoming season. During a particularly active year you would often hear Dad say something like, “I really don’t know why all these guys don’t shoot their own rifles! That is part of the fun of getting ready for season.” But he would pack up three or four of the rifles and we would head for the shooting range.
Once we reached the shooting range, which was a large gravel pit on our neighbors farm, where my Dad was the only one with permission to shoot and thus build a shooting bench on the property, he would set me up with one of the rifles and say, “Get that one on paper and then I’ll be over to fine tune it.” I got introduced to some very fine rifles and scopes during my teen years. Rugers, Remingtons, Winchesters, Savages, and custom made rifles, all kinds came through his shop and most were of that pre-64 vintage. I often wondered what the customer would say if he knew that, at least partially, a young teenager sighted in their expensive rifle.
Out of that I learned to enjoy the time spent at the shooting bench. There is a sense of purpose but also a sense of otherworldliness. In a reverse type of way, you are connecting with something that is 50, 100 or 200 yards distance. Shooting sports have always held a certain mystique for some. The ability to control the projectile that connects with a distant object or target has a certain headiness to it. To date, I believe my longest shot has been just over 800 yards at a two quart milk jug. I hit it, slightly off-center, on my fourth shot shooting a customized bench gun. Obviously, I would never condone the shooting at game at such distance, it is strictly for the target experience.
Even though deer season has already started here in my part of the state, I will be heading back to the shooting range during season just to check on scope alignment and my own form from time to time. Besides it is so much fun!