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9/27/2007
Edited by Paul Holtan
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707
(608) 267-7517
Fax: (608) 264-6293
E-mail address: paul.holtan@wisconsin.gov
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Safety Is The Most Important Part of Any Hunt

MADISON – As thousands of hunters head into the woods, fields and marshes stalking their favorite game during the fall hunting seasons, Wisconsin DNR safety experts remind them to review and think about firearm safety each and every time they head out.

Essential to any responsible hunting trip is an ironclad adherence to the four basic rules of firearm safety that can be easily recalled by remembering the TAB-K formula.

“Wardens investigate very few, if any, true accidents during any of our hunting seasons,” said Tim Lawhern, hunter education administrator with the DNR. “Most of the time, when someone is involved in a shooting incident, the shooter has failed to follow one of the most basic rules of firearm safety covered by TAB-K.”

T - Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.

A - Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.

B - Be certain of your target and what lies beyond.

K - Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

“While a hunter certainly may not have intended to harm another person, the fact remains that most hunting-related firearm injuries result from a violation of one or more of these simple rules,” Lawhern said. “It’s not an accident when someone disregards safety, it’s negligent.”

Planning your fall hunting trip also means having your gear in proper working order. Firearms should be cleaned and closely inspected for any signs of mechanical wear that could result in a problem in the field.

But firearms aren’t the only items that should be checked well in advance of a hunting trip. The clothing that you’ll wear and other equipment should also be inspected for signs of wear and tear.

“Anything that might lead you to compromise safety should be repaired, discarded or replaced,” said Lawhern. “A jacket that doesn’t fit right or a scope that isn’t adjusted correctly could distract you when you ought to be concentrating on safety.”

In addition to the TAB-K rules for firearms, here are a few other safety reminders that can contribute to a safe and enjoyable hunt.

Last year, Wisconsin recorded a total of 31 hunting-related firearm injuries with four fatalities. Overall, hunting is getting safer due in large part to mandatory hunter education for those born on or after Jan.1, 1973. Many adults are also taking a hunter education class as safety certification is required to hunt game in some popular western states.

“The day will come when we’ll report that there have been no firearm injuries during any hunting season in Wisconsin,” Lawhern said. “But that day will only come when every hunter makes it his or her personal responsibility to practice firearm safety 100 percent of the time.

“All hunters should do their part to create a new tradition in Wisconsin by making our hunting seasons free of firearm injuries,” Lawhern concluded.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern - (608) 266-1317