Safety is essential this duck shooting season

“Safety with shotguns is a priority for all duck shooters this season” Joe Green advises.

Most years there are injury incidents involving shotguns. These range from minor to more serious injuries and tragically sometimes death.

Duck shooters should pay attention to all seven rules of the Arms Code. Especially rules one and five: ‘treat every firearm as loaded’ and ‘check your firing zone’. “Failure to observe these two rules is the major cause of incidents during the duck shooting season” Joe says.

“When moving from place to place with the shotgun - unload it” and “always ensure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction” Joe advises.

Of course it should go without saying that rule seven is observed – “avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms” Joe says. If you are going to drink this opening weekend save it for afterwards when the guns are safely secured.

Each year during duck shooting season there are reports of shooters within the firing zone of another shooter being peppered with shot. Before firing a shooter must establish their firing zone and confirm that no other person, any property or gun dog is within their firing zone.

When you follow flying game birds your firing zone can change rapidly. As you swing the muzzle around in an arc you must be alert to others getting caught in your firing zone. A stake in the ground either side of your shooting position can help control over swing outside of your firing zone.

Before leaving your shooting area check and double check that your shotgun is completely unloaded including ammunition from the magazine. Be aware that ammunition can become jammed in tubular magazines - so double check these.

Before cleaning or securing the shotgun in your safe at home do another check and confirm that the gun it is completely unloaded. This practice should also apply in duck shooting camps.

Never let your safety standards slip and have a successful and safe duck shooting season.

The seven rules of firearms safety:
1. TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
2. ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE DIRECTION
3. LOAD A FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
4. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET BEYOND ALL DOUBT
5. CHECK YOUR FIRING ZONE
6. STORE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SAFELY
7. AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS

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