Hunting is an enjoyable and popular pastime for many folks in our area. It's a great way to get exercise, spend quality time with family and friends and obtain some top-notch fare for the dinner table. Wild game is tasty, low in fat and easy to prepare once you learn a few techniques. Unfortunately, some hunters are too focused on pursuing critters to pay attention to the most important aspect of every hunting experience and that is safety. I want everyone to have a successful fall hunting season this year but more importantly, I would like to get through the fall without conducting another hunting incident investigation.
During my 21 years as a Missouri Conservation Agent, I have investigated several incidents of hunters being shot as a result of careless gun handling. Most of these events could have been easily avoided if those involved had followed the basic rules of safe gun handling. Every time I tell beginning hunters to positively identify their target before pulling the trigger I feel a little silly. How hard can it be to tell the difference between a turkey and a turkey hunter? Just look in Missouri's Annual Report of Hunting Incidents and you will find that nearly every year, somewhere in the state, a hunter shoots at another hunter because they thought they saw a turkey. These hunters are obviously not identifying their target, but instead are assuming what they hear or see must be a wild turkey.
Many of the incidents I have investigated in Scott County involve hunters who are pursuing small game such as ducks, rabbits or doves. These accidents often involve hunters who do not know where their hunting partners are located because of heavy brush or other cover. Always make it a rule that everyone in your group knows where everyone else is located before shooting at game. Consider wearing blaze orange vests and hats while hunting quail, pheasants or rabbits. The bright color can really help you keep track of your hunting partners. Sometimes hunters simply do not try to keep track of others and they become too intent on shooting at game. This is a recipe for disaster.
Of course the most important safe gun handling rule is to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Another way to word that is to never point the gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This rule is obviously not being followed when self-inflicted gunshot wounds occur. Keep your hands, feet and any other body part away from the muzzle and never allow the muzzle to point in the direction of another hunter.
Other common sense safety rules include storing guns and ammunition separately under lock and key, unload guns when not hunting, keep the gun's safety engaged until you are ready to shoot, consider every gun to be loaded, and never consume alcohol or medication while handling firearms.
Firearms are commonplace in our society and have many uses including hunting. Just as any responsible parent would not let their kids play in a busy street, we shouldn't let others be careless with firearms. Guns are simply tools and by themselves are no more dangerous than a parked car. Fortunately none of the hunting incidents I have investigated resulted in a serious injury or fatality and I certainly hope that continues.
If you would like to learn more ways to avoid becoming a statistic, attend a hunter education class or go online at www.mdc.mo.gov and click on hunter education. You can study Missouri's Hunter Education material and take practice tests free of charge. This is a great way to prepare for a class or to brush up on safety. Remember that even though accidents do occasionally happen, hunting is still an extremely safe activity. Millions of hunting permits are sold throughout the nation every year and the number of injuries remains small. In Missouri, education and safety regulations have helped reduce the number of annual hunting incidents to its lowest level in years. If you look at statistics, there are fewer serious injuries reported among hunters than from the same sized group of kids playing on playgrounds or riding bicycles every year.
If you have questions you can contact me at 573-614-0270 or call the Cape Girardeau Regional Office at 573-290-5730. Happy Hunting!