Hunting season in Michigan is a time for more than one million
sportspersons to participate in one of our many great outdoor
recreational opportunities. Nothing is more important than safety
to make hunting an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Treat every firearm as if it is
loaded. You can never
guarantee thet your chamber is unloaded. Give an unloaded
firearm the same respect you would give a loaded firearm.
Watch where you point your firearm
muzzle. Never point the
muzzle of your firearm at yourself or anyone else, even
if it's unloaded.
Know your firearm and it's
ammunition. Before you load,
be sure your firearm is in safe operating condition and
the barrel is free of obstructions. Double check the
specifications of your ammo. to be sure it fits your
firearm.
Do not load your firearm before you
are ready. Why take chances?
When traveling to and from your hunting blind, take down
or have your actions open, and always carry your firearms
unloaded in their cases.
Be sure of your target - and beyond
- before you squeeze the trigger. Be sure that you have carefully
identified your target, then look past it to be sure it
is safe to shoot. Hunters need to keep track of
buildings, roadways, and other people.
Beware of fatigue when hunting. When you've been out in the woods a long
time, fatigue can cause accidents. A loaded firearm can
accidentally fire with a single, unexpected jar - so
watch your step.
Don't take chances with a loaded
firearm. Never step over
fences, jump ditches, or make other awkward or unbalenced
moves while holding a loaded firearm.
Use care when practicing. When shooting for practice, make sure
your backstop will prevent ricochets and protect
bystanders. Bullets can ricochet off water, rocks, trees,
metal, and other hard surfaces.
Store your firearms safely. When not in use, always store firearms
unloaded, away from ammunition and out of the reach of
children and unexperienced users.
Remember: Alcohol, drugs and
firearms don't mix. Never
consume alcohol or other mood - altering drugs before or
during target shooting or hunting.
