Chapter 10: Safe Hunting
Skills
Other Safety Considerations
Self-Control and Target Identification
- Some hunters may become
overly nervous or excited on a hunt, which can lead to
careless behavior. They may fire
at sounds, colors, movements, or unidentified shapes,
or simply shoot too quickly. In the excitement after hitting
their target, they may swing a loaded firearm toward
their
companions or run with the safety off toward a downed
animal.
- Self-control is an important part of hunter safety.
Only shoot when you know the target is legal game and
that no
people, domestic animals, buildings, or equipment are
in the zone-of-fire—remember that bullets can pass
through game and continue on for some distance with deadly
force.
- Slow,
careful shooting is not only safer, but it also produces
a higher degree of success.
Accuracy
- Shooting accurately is not only the key to successful
hunting, but it's also a safety factor. Some incidents,
often deadly ones, have occurred when stray bullets have
hit people
out of the shooter's sight. Be sure you have a proper
backstop before you shoot.
- Accuracy is also important to make a clean kill. No real sportsman wants to wound game and cause needless suffering. You must learn how to hit the vital organs of the game you hunt. Knowing your game, equipment, and skill level will tell you when you're in position to make a clean kill.
|
|
 |
