The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Delaware certification.

Hunting Incidents

From a law enforcement perspective, a hunting incident occurs when a hunter directly or indirectly causes personal injury or death while using a firearm or bow.

More broadly defined, a hunting incident is any unplanned, uncontrolled action that occurs while using a sporting arm. It can include near misses.

Being responsible in order to prevent hunting incidents is your first priority.

The most common hunting incidents result from hunter judgment mistakes. Eighty percent of all firearm incidents occur within 10 yards of the muzzle.

Four Main Causes of Hunting Incidents

Hunter Judgment Mistakes, such as mistaking another person for game or not checking the foreground or background before firing

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

Lack of Control and Practice, which can lead to accidental discharges and stray shots

Mechanical Failure, such as an obstructed barrel or improper ammunition

Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it. If you cannot see what lies beyond the target, do not take the shot.

Identifying Your Target

Always identify your target “from tip to tail” before firing.

One of the most common causes of hunting incidents is a hunter mistaking another hunter for game.

• The hunter sees only part of the target but allows his brain to fill in what’s missing.
• To avoid being mistaken for game, always wear fluorescent orange.

It is illegal to kill certain game or one gender of the animal.

Using Firearms at the Shooting Range

A successful hunt begins with target practice at the shooting range.

Many of the rules that govern safe firearm handling in the field apply to the shooting range. But a shooting range has some additional requirements.

• 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.
• Anytime a person is 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."