What Not To Do When Hunting

One of the most important things that people tend to forget is what they are taught not to do when hunting. Hunting in many countries is a sport but this does not mean that it's all fun and games. Like many sports, there is a lot of preparation and probably even more caution should be thrown to the wind than any other activity out there. This is for the simple reason that the weapons used in hunting are just as hazardous to people as they are to those being hunted.

Guns & Ammo

There's nothing more dangerous than an idle and loaded gun. In fact, it's not a great idea having a gun lying around even if it is empty; you just never know. This is one of the things you are not to do when hunting. Just because you think a gun is not loaded does not mean it is entirely empty. This is especially true for those who use guns that leave a bullet in the chamber. So the lesson here is to never handle a gun as if it were empty. Keep it holstered with the safety on at all times when hunting or packed in a protective case when you are camping out taking a breather.

Now, bullets are to be handled with even more care. Bullets may seem to be sturdy just because they are made of metal. But bullets can be set off in any number of ways. This includes dropping them on hard ground or dropping them in a camp fire. Make sure that bullets, when not loaded into a cartridge or revolver, are placed in a safe box or a protective case.

Handling A Weapon

So you may be asking yourself, “How am I supposed to handle a gun when I am supposed to have it loaded while hunting?” Well, yes, it should be loaded once you are actually hunting. But when you are idling around the woods in between hunts, this is where it can be dangerous if a weapon is not handled properly.

Once you take a break during a hunting trip make sure to remove the ammo clip of the gun. You might also want to unload the chamber in case a bullet remains inside it. If you use a rifle, you should never use it as something to lean on especially with its butt to the ground and barrel dangerously pointed in your direction. You should also never rest the gun muzzle on your foot. And probably most importantly, never clean a rifle's barrel with your fingers if you see that there is any dirt that might obstruct a bullets exit.

The lesson in hunting is one that is amazingly forgotten by many people which is why hunting accidents are not as isolated as one may think. But setting a simple rule for yourself will actually keep you safe and others you hunt with safe as well. That simple rule is to never point a gun at a human being and especially not at one's self. A responsible hunter is one who can prevent accidents from happening and one who can teach others what not to do when hunting.