Hunting Safety: Preventing Accidents While Hunting

Fortunately, many hunting accidents may be prevented by following proper safety tips and always staying aware of one’s surroundings when hunting. These tips not only keep you safe, but also can keep other hunters in the area safe.

Hunting Safety Tips

Hunter safety starts with these tips:

• Knowledge. Learn as much as possible about gun safety and the rules of hunting. This may require classroom training as well as hands-on practice.
• Clothing. Many hunters wear camouflage to blend in with the surroundings so they can avoid being seen by deer and other game. However, this can increase a hunter’s risk of being shot at because other hunters may not be able to see the person as well either. A good tip is to wear bright orange, which is easily visible to other hunters.
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots. The forest – or other area where people commonly hunt – is often filled with sticks, rocks, brushes and other debris. It is easy to slip and fall in these conditions, so proper footwear is important.
• Practice safe gun use. A good rule of thumb is always to handle a gun as if it is loaded. This means never pointing it at others. When borrowing someone else’s gun, be sure to understand its use fully before taking it hunting. In addition, look carefully before shooting. Try to look far ahead in the distance before pulling the trigger.
• Don’t hunt while intoxicated. This should go without saying. Alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs can all impair one’s judgment, making accidents more likely to occur.

Contact a Lawyer if Injured by Another’s Negligence

Even when safety precautions are followed, accidents and injuries still can occur, especially if others are reckless or careless while hunting, which may necessitate an injury claim to recover damages. Get legal advice from a hunting accident attorney at the Miley Legal Group in Clarksburg. Contact us today at (304) 931-4088.