Safety in the Field

There are times when you need to be on guard against possible accidents.
These times include:

• When you’ve had just enough experience to think you know all the answers. Accidents in the field can
    happen if you don’t follow all the rules.

• When carrying a gun. Be very careful handling guns around the home, camp or near the car. Be alert for
   rocks, holes and other hazards when in the field.

• When plinking. Plinking is shooting at informal targets. Beware of the temptation to “horse around.” Never
  allow yourself or your friends to cause a tragedy.

• When you are tired. At the end of a long day’s hunt, reflexes may become dulled. Gun carrying is relaxed.
   Watch for carelessness and try to avoid it.

• When you first spot game. The excitement sometimes causes you to rush into a careless shot. This
   eagerness cannot be felt in a class or on the training range. It comes naturally when spotting game. When
   you first see game, double your caution. Be sure to carefully identify your target.

• When a hunting buddy forgets or ignores the safety rules. Tell him immediately. He may be a close friend,
   but anyone careless with a gun is careless with your life. If he can’t improve, be his friend someplace other
    than around firearms.

You need to learn how to carry firearms when you go out in the field. The safest way to carry is probably the two-hand carry which gives the best control of the gun and the muzzle. With this carry, the small of the stock is gripped with the trigger hand. The fore end is held with the other hand. The gun is carried diagonally across the body with the muzzle pointed up and away. Other carries are the cradle carry, the side carry, the trail carry and the sling carry. In all carries the following rules apply: 1. Keep the muzzle under control and pointed away from all people, animals and your self. 2. Keep the safety on until ready to fire.

BE CAREFUL!

Most safeties block the trigger and nothing else. A hard blow in the right place can still fire the gun. A safety can wear out or it may not work. Handle every gun as if it were loaded and the safety off. 3. Keep the fingers outside the trigger guard and not on the trigger. Fingers should only touch the trigger when firing. Covering the trigger guard with the hand will help prevent other objects from hitting the trigger. 4. When target practicing, all firearms should be left unloaded until shooters are ready to fire at the targets. Placement of targets is also important. Make sure that nothing behind the targets can be injured or damaged or cause bullets to ricochet.