Gun Safety Tips for Hunters

Each year the hunting season brings about more accidents, including accidental shooting of other people and themselves, with guns. It is not just the young hunters that make the mistakes out in the woods, even the most avid hunter can slip up and hurt themselves, or some one else, if they do not follow some key safety rules. Below you will find ten tips to follow for a safe hunting season!

Always be sure that you watch where you are pointing the muzzle of your gun. Only point your gun at something if you intend to shoot it. Make sure not to aim the muzzle at yourself or any other person, even while cleaning it. This leads us right to the next tip.

Even if you think that your gun is not loaded you should treat it as if it were, it just may save your life or someone elses. Just because you think you emptied your firearm does not mean that you actually did. We all forget things sometimes.

Take time to aim. Know what is in front of, and beyond, your intended target. Know about the game you are hunting too. If they may get spooked easily and run you do not want to be shooting a hole into someone's house of car that was beyond that animal.

Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until it is time to shoot. Nerves could make you slip and pull the trigger before you had meant to. Even better? Keep the safety on until you are locked on to your target.

Keep your gun clean and free of rust. Dirt and other obstructions can cause misfires and accidents. Make sure that even your ammo is free of debris before you load it into your gun.

Always keep your firearm unloaded when not in use. This will prevent little hands from causing big accidents, for one thing. Be sure to transport your gun while unloaded too. It should only be loaded when you are sitting securely in your blind or tree stand, ready for the wait.

NEVER forget that guns are not toys. Playing with a real gun will lead to someone getting shot and possibly killed.

Do not run, jump or climb with a loaded weapon. Again, you should only load your weapon once you are into place. If you have to jump a fence or climb into a tree stand your gun should be unloaded. Imagine dropping it while climbing, it goes off when it hits the ground, and you are down one foot!

Always store weapons and their ammo in separate locations, safe and secure. It is best to keep your guns locked up in a gun case and the key hidden where only you can find it!

Last, but by no means least, do not drink alcoholic beverages or mess with mind-altering drugs prior to, or during, hunting. Keep yourself safe, and anyone else that you may come into contact with/

Have a safe and happy hunting season!