• Firearms Handling and Safety
    With the hunting season now upon us, we should ALL remember to be safe, responsible and ethical hunters. If we all follow a few simple rules, everyone should have a safe & successful hunting  season. 

    ALWAYS CONTROL THE MUZZLE OF YOUR FIREARM! Point it in a safe direction and keep it under control (Especially those that choose to hunt with a handgun). 

    TREAT EACH FIREARM LIKE A LOADED FIREARM! Check any firearm that you hold. Is it unloaded? You need to know that! When a firearm changes hands, leave the action open.  Keep the action open when not shooting. 

    BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND!  Never shoot at a flash of a color or a sound, never shoot at a shape in a tree or a bush (turkey hunters especially).  Never shoot at a sky lined animal.  Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you ONLY have ammunition of the proper size (caliber or gauge) for the firearm you are carrying. 

    Unload firearms when not in use. Leave actions Open. Firearms should be carried empty in cases to and from shooting areas. Remember to place firearms in their proper storage location as soon as you return home from a day afield or from the range. Responsible hunters make certain the firearms in their home are not easily accessible to anyone who may not be trained in the safe handling of firearms. 

    NEVER point a firearm at anything you do not want to shoot.  AVOID ALL horseplay with a firearm.  Never climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch, log or creek, with a loaded firearm. Never pull a firearm toward you by the muzzle. 

    Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or water.  A ricochet may result.  During target practice, be sure your backstop is adequate. 

    Store firearms and ammunition (locked) separately beyond the reach of children and careless adults.  

    Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood altering drugs before or while shooting or hunting. 

    Turkey hunters should remember not to wear the colors red, white and blue while hunting and if hunting with a decoy, make sure the decoy is completely covered when moving through the woods.  Also, remember that it is Bow season and that Bow hunters may be camouflaged in tree stands. 

    Obey and support ALL wildlife laws and report all violations. 

    Hunting without permission is TRESPASSING whether the property is Posted or not. Responsible Hunters plan for a hunt by learning the area, knowing the names or the landowners and asking permission to hunt well in advance of the Hunting Seasons.