Sportsmen who participate in shooting sports or hunting may be more aware of firearms safety issues than most people, but the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) encourages all hunters to review firearms safety tips before heading out into the woods for firearms season. Last year there were 45 hunting incidents, 29 of which involved firearms.

“Ultimately, each hunter is responsible for keeping himself and others safe while pursuing deer this year,” says WRD State Hunter Safety Coordinator Capt. James Bell. “This includes respecting all firearms and being absolutely certain of their target.”

The “Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety” is an excellent safety checklist that is taught in hunter education courses and well worth review of anyone who uses firearms to hunt:

1. Control the direction of the firearm’s muzzle. Keep the safety on and fingers off the trigger at all times until ready to shoot.

2. Identify the target and what is beyond it before shooting. Know the identifying features of the game hunted and be absolutely certain that what you are aiming at is that game.

3. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

4. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that only the proper size of ammunition is used in the firearm.

5. Always unload a firearm when it is not in use, leave the actions open, carry empty firearms in a case to and from shooting areas.

6. Never aim a firearm at anything that you do not intend to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with a firearm.

7. Never climb a tree or fence, or jump a ditch or log, with a loaded firearm. Never pull a firearm towards you by the muzzle.

8. Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or at water. Make sure backstops are adequate during target practice.

9. Store firearms and ammunition separately and beyond the reach of children and careless adults.

10. Avoid all alcoholic beverages and drugs before and during shooting.

Taking a hunter education class in Georgia is now easier than ever! Sportsmen and women who need a hunter education course now can access an approved hunter education course on the Internet (www.bea safehunter.org ), use a CD-Rom course or attend the traditional tenhour classroom course. Those using the Internet or CD-Rom course are required to attend a two-hour (minimum) review / test course and if all requirements are met successfully, students receive their hunter education certificate before leaving the classroom.

Pre-registration is required to attend either the traditional ten-hour classroom course or the two-hour review course. To find and register for a course, visit www.gohunt georgia.com , select “Hunting” then “Hunter Education” or call the Central Reservations System at 1-800864-7275 (there is a small fee associated with this service).

For more information on firearms safety, contact the WRD Hunter Education Office at (770) 784-3068.