Safe HuntingSafe Hunting

By: Mrs. LoveBy: Mrs. Love

Information & Pictures from Texas Parks Information & Pictures from Texas Parks and Wildlifeand Wildlife

Today we will…Today we will…

Identify why firearm safety is importantIdentify why firearm safety is important Identify four main causes of hunting incidentsIdentify four main causes of hunting incidents Identify four primary rules of firearm safetyIdentify four primary rules of firearm safety Demonstrate and explain proper field carriesDemonstrate and explain proper field carries List the steps to safely load and unload a List the steps to safely load and unload a

firearmfirearm Explain how to safely check to see that the Explain how to safely check to see that the

barrel of a firearm is free of obstructionsbarrel of a firearm is free of obstructions Explain why self control, target identification, Explain why self control, target identification,

and accuracy are critical and accuracy are critical

Four Main Causes of Four Main Causes of Firearm IncidentsFirearm Incidents

Hunter Judgment MistakesHunter Judgment Mistakes Safety Rule ViolationsSafety Rule Violations Lack or Control or PracticeLack or Control or Practice Mechanical FailureMechanical Failure

Four Primary Rules of Four Primary Rules of Firearm SafetyFirearm Safety

point muzzle in a safe directionpoint muzzle in a safe direction treat every firearm with the respect due treat every firearm with the respect due

a loaded guna loaded gun be sure of the target and what is in front be sure of the target and what is in front

of it and beyond itof it and beyond it keep your finger outside the trigger keep your finger outside the trigger

guard until ready to shootguard until ready to shoot

Firearm CarriesFirearm Carries

Trail CarryTrail Carry Sling CarrySling Carry Elbow or Side CarryElbow or Side Carry Shoulder CarryShoulder Carry Cradle CarryCradle Carry Two-Handed or “Ready” CarryTwo-Handed or “Ready” Carry

Trail CarryTrail Carry

Hands free balanceHands free balance Do not use if you are Do not use if you are

behind someonebehind someone Should not use when Should not use when

walking in snow or walking in snow or high brushhigh brush

Debris can get in the Debris can get in the barrel of the firearmbarrel of the firearm

Sling CarrySling Carry

Good for long walks Good for long walks through open countrythrough open country

Keep a hand on sling Keep a hand on sling Should not use if Should not use if

walking in thick brushwalking in thick brush

Elbow or Side CarryElbow or Side Carry

ComfortableComfortable Least muzzle controlLeast muzzle control Use it when no one Use it when no one

is in front of youis in front of you

Shoulder CarryShoulder Carry

Good for high waist-Good for high waist-high brushhigh brush

Cradle CarryCradle Carry

SecureSecure Reduces arm fatigueReduces arm fatigue

Two-Handed or “Ready Two-Handed or “Ready Carry Carry

Best controlBest control Good for thick brush Good for thick brush

or weedsor weeds Good when “ready” Good when “ready”

to shootto shoot

Safe Loading Safe Loading

point muzzle in a safe directionpoint muzzle in a safe direction open the action; make sure the barrel is open the action; make sure the barrel is

unobstructedunobstructed put the safety onput the safety on load the ammunitionload the ammunition close the actionclose the action

Safe UnloadingSafe Unloading

point muzzle in safe directionpoint muzzle in safe direction make sure safety is onmake sure safety is on keep your finger outside the trigger guardkeep your finger outside the trigger guard open actionopen action remove ammunition; eject shells or cartridges if remove ammunition; eject shells or cartridges if

it is the only way to remove them it is the only way to remove them count shells or cartridges to make sure gun is count shells or cartridges to make sure gun is

emptyempty check the chamber to see if it is clearcheck the chamber to see if it is clear

Checking for Checking for ObstructionsObstructions

point muzzle in safe directionpoint muzzle in safe direction open the actionopen the action unload the firearm and remove the bold (if unload the firearm and remove the bold (if

applicable)applicable) check for debris in the barrelcheck for debris in the barrel remove the obstruction with a portable table remove the obstruction with a portable table

type cleaning rodtype cleaning rod recheck the barrelrecheck the barrel reload and close the actionreload and close the action

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Self-ControlSelf-Control Target IdentificationTarget Identification AccuracyAccuracy Alcohol and DrugsAlcohol and Drugs

Let’s Review…Let’s Review…

Why is firearm safety important?Why is firearm safety important? What are the four main causes of hunting What are the four main causes of hunting

incidents?incidents? What are the four primary rules of firearm What are the four primary rules of firearm

safety?safety? Name the four proper field carries.Name the four proper field carries. Name in order how to load a firearm.Name in order how to load a firearm. Name in order how to unload a firearm.Name in order how to unload a firearm. What are some other safety considerations? What are some other safety considerations?