Rules to safely hunt with guns
Modern firearm gun season kicked off last Saturday, November 11th
Lexington, Ky (WTVQ) — Modern firearm gun season kicked off last Saturday, Nov. 11, highlighting the need for gun safety after two hunters accidentally shot and killed themselves over the weekend in Garrard County in two separate incidents, according to Sheriff Willie Skeens.
Rachel Crume is the recruitment, retention and reactivation Branch Manager for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
“Modern firearm gun season. It’s the time that we have by far the most hunters in the woods of field pursuing that hobby. So, what we have are people that may not hunt anything else that have not hunted in a year,” Crume said, adding that typically, they don’t see very many incidents like this.
Josh McFadden is the owner of JDM Gunsmithing.
He cautioned about ensuring you know the proper rules when handling a gun.
McFadden shared with ABC 36 three basic safety rules.
First, is to always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, away from people.
The second rule is to always keep your finger off the trigger until your sight is on the target.
Third, always keep the gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it.
Hunter safety has been a requirement in Kentucky since Jan. 1, 1975.
“In addition, you’re taught how to handle the firearm while in the field,” McFadden said of the training. “For example, if you’re crossing a fence, you will unload the firearm, if you’re climbing into or out of your tree stand, you would unload the firearm.”
Crume added, “Usually any incidents that we do see revolve around people climbing up a tree stand.”
Fish and Wildlife also offers a wide variety of educational topics.
