50 Hunter Safety Tips

1. Wear hunter orange at all times so you can be seen.
2. Go hunting with at least one partner.
3. Tell other people when and where you’ll be hunting.
4. Carry a flashlight while walking through the hunting area before or after daylight.
5. Treat every gun as if it were loaded at all times­.
6. Control your emotions.
7. Wear hearing and eye protection.
8. Be aware of what’s between you and your target, as well as what’s beyond your target.
9. Before you pull the trigger, you must properly identify game animals.
10. Never take a shot at any animals on top of ridges or hillsides.
11. Know the range of your weapon.
12. Never shoot at flat, hard surfaces, such as water, rocks or steel because of ricochets.
13. Every time you pick up a firearm, check to see if it is loaded.
14. Be sure the chamber and magazine are empty.
15. Be sure you know where your companions are at all times.
16. Never swing your gun or bow out of your safe zone-of-fire.
17. If in doubt, never take a shot.
18. Keep the gun’s action open.
19. Only load the gun when you’re ready to use it.
20. Never point a gun at yourself or another person.
21. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
22. Do not point a firearm or bow at anything you do not intend to shoot.
23. Never rest a muzzle on your toe or foot.
24. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until the instant you are ready to fire.
25. Always keep the safety on until ready to fire.
26. Watch your muzzle so others don’t have to.
27. You should also keep your gun’s safety on until you are ready to fire.
28. Don’t rely on your gun’s safety.
29. Avoid horseplay with firearms.
30. Never climb a fence, a tree or a ladder with a loaded firearm or bow and arrows.
31. Never hoist a loaded weapon into a stand.
32. Never load or carry a loaded weapon until you are ready to use it.
33. Always unload weapons before riding in any vehicle, including ATVs.
34. Raise and lower your unloaded rifle with a rope or cord when using a tree stand.
35. Always use fall restraints and harnesses when you’re using a tree stand.
36. Unload firearms and unstring conventional bows when not in use.
37. Leave actions open.
38. Store sporting arms in cases when traveling to and from shooting areas.
39. Know how your equipment operates.
40. Store and transport firearms and ammunition separately and under lock and key.
41. Store firearms and bows in cool, dry places.
42. Use gun or trigger locks and guards when not in use.
43. Never jump a ditch or cross difficult terrain with a loaded firearm or nocked arrow.
44. Never face or look down the barrel from the muzzle end.
45. Be sure the only ammunition you carry correctly matches the gauge or caliber you are shooting.
46. Always carry arrows in a protected cover or quiver.
47. If you fall, be sure to disassemble the gun and check the barrel from the breech end for obstructions.
48. Carry a field cleaning kit.
49. Always be sure your gun barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
50. Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms or bow and arrows.