The Ontario Provincial Police would like to remind the public that hunting season is upon us and there will be an increase in activity in the wooded areas over the next few weeks.
Hunting is a safe sport but it does involve a certain amount of risk. Aside from firearm safety issues a variety of incidents can occur on a tip outdoors. The rougher the terrain, particularly when it is unfamiliar, the greater the chance of accidents. Climate extremes can alse increase the risk. In remote areas there is always the possibility of becoming lost.
Have A Plan
Before you depart leave a hunting plan with a family member or friend that tells where and with whom you intend to hunt and when you will return. It should contain specific directions on your route and any alternate destination you may have if bad weather changes your plans. Don't deviate from you plan without notification.
Be Ready
To help you avoid or minimize problems it is essential that you prepare carefully for the hunt. Responsible hunters anticipate potential problems and make plans to deal with them. Considerations include terrain, location, weather, dangerous game and the potential for forest fires. Learn as much as you can about your chosen hunting area. Purchase a topographic map and familiarize yourself with the terrain. If the area is within a convenient drive it is a good idea to visit the location in the off-season.
Assess your physical condition and committment. Hunting often demands more physical exertion then you are accustomed to. Conditions that hamper your ability to perform safely and responsibly while hunting such as allergies, asthma, a heart condition, excess weight and poor physical conditioning will impact your performance. Prepare for your hunt by getting in shape well in advance.
Check the weather forecast before leaving. Dress properly and be prepared for the worst possible conditions. Clothing can also effect your ability to perform safely and responsibly. Select clothing based on the weather you expect but be prepared for the worst. Cold weather conditions call for clothing that is worn in layers. Layers offer superior insulation. As well, should the weather warm us you can shed a layer at a time to stay comfortable. The most important clothing choices are a blaze orange hat and blaze orange outerwear (shirt, jacket, vest). Blaze orange clothing makes it easier for one hunter to spot another because nothing in nature matches this colour. The orange colour of the clothing should be plainly visable from all directions. Gloves retain body heat and protect your hands. Wear footwear that is sturdy, suitable for the conditions you will encounter and broken in before the hunt. Two layers of socks should be worn.
Take a compass. A compass is a critical piece of equipment for outdoor travel. A good one has the following features:
* A clear base plate that allows you to see the map underneath
* Straight sides for aligning two points
* Liquid-filled needle housing that keeps the magnetic needle relatively
steady when taking readings
* Two arrows - a direction arrow painted on the base plate is used to
point the compass from your starting point to your destination; an
orienting arrow, located in the needle housing is used to orient your
compass to your map
Remember: Metal objects such as knives, gun barrels, belt buckles, etc will affect a magnetic needle
Refresh your memory of hunting and firearm safety rules and review them with your hunting partners. Check hunting equipment before and after each outing and maintain it properly. Familiarize yourself with its operation before using it in the field. An incident can occur if the firearm is not handled properly. Preventing hunting incidents depends on knowing and understanding firearms and handling them skillfully and safely. Responsible hunters practice safe habits until they become second nature.
Primary rules of firearm safety:
* Point the muzzle in a safe direction
* Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
* Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and
beyond it
* Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready
to shoot.
Statistics show that more than half of fatal firearm incidents occur in the home. Almost all incidents are caused by carelessness and lack of knowledge. It is the hunter's duty to prevent firearm mishaps in the home. Lock guns away where children can't reach them and store ammunition in a separate locked location. Check to see that a firearm is unloaded before allowing it in any building or living area. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction when you pick up a firearm, keep your finger off the trigger and open the action to see that the chamber and magazine are empty.
Even something as simple as loading or unloading a firearm can result in tragedy if it isn't done properly. Here is how to do it safely:
Loading
* Point the muzzle in a safe direction
* Keep your finger outside the trigger guard
* Open the action; make sure the barrel is unobstructed
* Put the safety on if the firearm can be loaded with the safety on
* Load the ammunition
* Close the action
* Put the safety on if you were unable to do so before loading
Unloading
* Point the muzzle in a safe direction
* Put the safety on if it is not already on
* Keep your finger outside the trigger guard
* Open the action
* Remove the ammunition by first detaching the magazine. Eject
cartridges or shells if that is the only way to remove them.
* Make sure the gun is empty by checking both the chamber and the
magazine
* Check again to make sure the safety is on
Remember: Removal of ammunition from the magazine or removal of the
magazine from the firearm does not mean the firearm is
unloaded
Safely Carrying Firearms in the Field
Three rules apply to all carrying methods:
* Muzzle poninted in a safe direction and under control
* Safety "On" until immediately before you are ready to shoot
* Finger outside the trigger guard
Carry selection is based primarily on muzzle control and terrain.
*If three hunters are walking side by side the ones at the sides may
carry thier guns pointing either to the side away from their party
or to the front. The one in the centre should keep the gun pointing
to the front, up or down.
* If three hunters are walking single file the one in the lead shoulder
have the gun pointed ahead, never over the shoulder. The one in the
middle must have the gun pointed to the side. The hunter in the rear
may point the gun to either side.
* When facing another hunter any carry is safe except the trail carry
or forward-facing elbow or side carry.
Remember: the same rules apply for safe carry when your hunting
companion is a dog.
Other Safety Considerations
Self Control and Target Identification
Some hunters may become overly anxious or excited on a hunt, which can lead to careless behaviour. They may fire at sounds, colors, movements, or unidentified shapes,or simply shoot too quickly. In the excitement of hitting their target they may swing a loaded firearm toward their companions or run with the safety off toward a downed animal.
Self control is an essentail aspect of hunter safety. Only shoot when you know the target is legal game, and that no people, domestic animals, buildings, or equipment are in the zone of fire. Bullets can pass through game and continue on for some distance with deadly force.
Slow careful shooting is not only safer but produces a higher degree of success.
Accuracy
Shooting accuracy is not only the key to sucessful hunting but also a safey factor. Some incident, often deadly ones, have occurred when stray bullets have hit people out of the shooters sight. Be sure you have a proper backstop before you shoot.
Accuracy is also essential for achieving a clean kill. No real sportsman wants to wound game and cause needless suffering. You must learn how to hit the vital organs of the game you hunt. Knowing your game, equipment and skill level will tell you when you are in a position to make a clean kill.
Remember: A rifle scope should never be used as a binocular.
Alcohol and Drugs
Consuming alcohol before or during the hunt increases the risk of incidents because it impairs coordination, hearing, vision, communication, and judgement. Drugs can have a similar effect. If you have to take prescription medicine check with your physician to see if it is safe to take while hunting. Don't Drink and Hunt.
In Trouble? How to Signal for Help
When you decide to stay put and wait for rescue, signal for help as soon as possible. The internation emergency sign for distress is three of any signal: three shots, three blasts on a whistle or three flashes with a mirror. If you are near an open space walk an "X" in the snow, grass or sand making it as large as possible so that it can easily be seen from the air. Placing branches, logs or rocks along the "X" will make it more visible. Make sure that when you hear an aircraft your signal fire has been started and is effective in time to be seen. Keep plenty of fuel for the fire on hand to ensure it burns long enough to be seen. Adding green boughs, preferally pine if available, to the fire will help create smoke. Once you have a shelter, a fire and your signal prepared you can focus on food.
Survival Skills
Planning and preparation can help you from having a misadventure. If something does go wrong switch into survival mode.
Almost everyone who treks into the wilderness gets turned around occassionally. How you respond in the early stages often determines if your disorientation becomes a temperary inconvenience or a tramatic ordeal. If you keep a cool head you will increase your chance of survival.
Think through recent events to see if you could retrace your path. If you decide you can't return to your camp or car, committ yourself to spend the night where you are. If you remain in one spot it is very likely you will be found in a few days. You now have three priorities: shelter, fire and signal.
Remember: When you find yourself in a survivial situation your most important tool is your brain. Stop when you realize you have a problem. The first thing to do is admit to yourself you are in trouble. Think about what you need to do to survive. Observe the area and look for shelter, fuel, etc. Plan how you are going to use your survival kit and your other available resources. Don't wait until dark to plan. Remain calm, think clearly, use the tools you have available to you.
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