A cherished tradition for many, hunting offers a chance to connect with not only nature but also family and friends in an activity as old as time. While spending the day out in the woods chasing down a big buck is great fun, it’s important to remember that safety needs to come first. Brushing up on safe hunting procedures is a great way to ensure that your hunts remain enjoyable, accident-free experiences this fall.

With hunting seasons in full swing around the country, here are a few hunting safety tips to keep you safe out in the field.

Always Wear Blaze Orange

One of the easiest ways to stay visible while out in the woods is by wearing blaze-orange hunting gear. Obviously, blaze-orange is a striking color that stands out amidst the brush, but it also remains imperceptible to some wildlife species. Most notably, deer, elk, moose, and bears have all demonstrated difficulties identifying blaze orange. The adoption of blaze orange hunting gear has helped significantly reduce hunting-related accidents since its widespread adoption in the hunting community.

Treat Every Firearm As If It’s Loaded

Safe gun handling starts with mindset. Any time you pick up a firearm, whether it’s yours, your buddy’s, or it’s been sitting in the truck all day, assume it’s loaded until you personally verify otherwise. Open the action, check the chamber and the magazine, and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction during the entire process. Build these checks into your routine so they become automatic whenever you cross a fence, climb into a blind, or hand off a gun.

Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until You’re Ready to Shoot

Adrenaline is part of the fun, but it can lead to sloppy trigger discipline. Keep your finger straight and indexed along the receiver until your sights are on target and you’ve decided to shoot. This small habit prevents many accidental discharges when you stumble, slip on wet leaves, or get startled by movement in the brush.

Know Your Target

Before squeezing the trigger, positively identify your target and confirm a safe backstop. Brush, shadows, and the excitement of the moment can fool even experienced hunters. Take the extra second to verify antlers vs. branches, and make sure there’s no road, house, trail, or hunting partner behind your quarry. If the shot isn’t safe, don’t take it; another opportunity will come.

Practice Often and Know Your Limits

Ethical shots come from realistic practice. Sight-in before the season, confirm your zero if the rifle takes a knock, and practice from field positions like kneeling, sitting, using a tree or pack for support. Know your effective range with your firearm and ammunition, and pass on marginal shots in wind, low light, or awkward angles.

Respect Property and Regulations

Know the season dates, legal shooting hours, bag limits, and any blaze-orange requirements where you hunt. Get permission for private land and close gates how you found them. Pack out all trash, respect neighboring hunters, and be the kind of sportsman landowners are happy to welcome back.

If you’re ready to find your own hunting paradise or would like some more hunting safety tips, get in touch with your local Land Professional today!