Gun Safety 101 And The Hunter
Hunting can be a dangerous sport and a hunter could get injured due to a variety of reasons, but the most common cause happens to be the improper handling of a gun. The new hunter can be somewhat careless both in maintaining the gun as well as in taking safety precautions. In spite of the fact that the number of injuries as well as fatal accidents while hunting is on the rise, most people who are new to this sport don't seem to take note of it, nor do they take a few simple precautions that can go a long way in keeping them safe.
Some people take up hunting without even learning the basic facts about their gun and safety rules. The most important rule is to treat the gun with utmost care, as if it were loaded. This rule obviously applies to every type of gun. While handling a gun, one must always assume that it is loaded. Don't assume that it is unloaded and handle it flippantly or wave it around or point it at others even as a joke. There could be gun powder residue or any other reason could unnecessarily cause an accident which could have been avoided. It is always better to err on the side of caution.
The first rule of safety while in possession of a gun, is to keep it unloaded all the time, except when you are about to use it. This will drastically avoid accidents from occurring due to the gun going off accidentally or even due to improper storage. We have heard innumerable stories about a gun in the glove compartment of a truck going off accidentally, causing injuries or damage which could have been avoided if only it had been kept unloaded. What's more, if a loaded gun gets into wrong hands, the damage could be worse. So it stands to reason that a gun must remain unloaded at all times except when it is meant to be used.
When you are out hunting, the most important thing to bear in mind is to always keep your finger off the trigger until you are about to fire. When the fingers are folded and away from the trigger, the chances of firing accidentally are again reduced. Keeping the fingers folded away from the trigger until the prey is sighted can prevent any unnecessary triggering of the gun without your conscious decision to do so.
A gun, whether it is loaded or not, must always be pointed in a safe direction. This of course means that you are never ever to point it at anybody. There have been unfortunate circumstances of such events happening when a gun pointed at someone without meaning to, and went off, fatally injuring the person and causing untold harm as well as sorrow to all concerned. So if you happen to own a gun, you must at all times keep it not only unloaded but also safe and secure so that nothing untoward can happen. Don't ever look into the barrel of a gun to find out why it mis-fired. This is a definite no-no. In fact, if you truly wish to be safe around a gun, you must always expect the unexpected. Who knows when it can suddenly explode and harm you or others? So you really have to go the extra mile to keep to safety rules.
Hold your gun carefully, with both hands, so that you never ever drop it. There have been instances of a gun accidentally falling to the ground from a loose grip, getting triggered, firing, and causing damage.
Yet another thing to bear in mind is not to allow anyone who has had alcohol anywhere near the gun. The alcohol may cause their handling to be unsteady and also impair their sense of judgement, leading to fatal accidents. These are the main things to bear in mind when you go out hunting and if all the rules are in place, you can enjoy a safe and happy hunting expedition minimizing the risks.