Positively identify your target, or it could be your mate
Positively identify your target, or it could be your mate that you shoot!
That is the message of Mr Joe Green, Chairman of the Firearms Safety Council Aotearoa New Zealand, as the roar approaches.
On average 1 deer hunter is killed each year when one hunter has shot another whilst deer hunting; failure to identify the target being a primary factor says Mr Green.
Identifying your target beyond all doubt is one of the seven basic rules of safe firearms handling and should be second nature to all hunters. Hunters should sight the head, neck and shoulder of the animal all at the same time, or at least sufficient of the animal to confirm target identification.
“No shooter
should ever fire at shape, colour, movement or sound”.
Beware under certain circumstances the brain can trick the
eyes. Assume any shape, colour, movement or sound is a
human until you can prove otherwise says Mr
Green.
Wearing coloured clothing that contrasts with the
environment, including deer, can help you be seen by other
hunters. Ultimately, though the responsibility of target
identification lies solely in the hands of the shooter.
In most of the incidents causing death and injury the shooter and the victim were in the same hunting party. They deliberately separated which became the beginning of a series of factors leading to tragedy.
You and your hunting companions should stay together says Mr Green. If you do separate, then stop hunting until you regain visual contact.
Take special care during the roar, comply with all the seven basic rules of firearms safety, make sure you positively identify your target beyond all doubt and if you are hunting with a companion stay together.
The Seven Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling
1. TREAT EVERY
FIREARM AS LOADED
- Check every firearm
yourself.
- Pass or accept only an open or
unloaded firearm.
2. ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE
DIRECTION
- Loaded or unloaded, always
point the muzzle in a safe direction.
3. LOAD A
FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
- Load only
the magazine after you reach your shooting area.
- Load the chamber only when ready to shoot.
- Completely unload before leaving the shooting
area.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET BEYOND ALL DOUBT
- Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive
you.
- Assume colour, shape, sound, and
shape to be human until proven otherwise
5. CHECK
YOUR FIRING ZONE
- THINK! What may happen
if you miss your target? What might you hit between you and
the target or beyond?
- Do not fire know
others are in your firing zone
6. STORE FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION SAFELY
- When not in use, lock
away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately.
- Never leave firearms in a vehicle that is
unattended
7. AVOID ALCOHOL AND DRUGS WHEN HANDLING
FIREARMS
- Good judgement is the key to
safe use of
firearms.
Ends