Lessons Learned from Hunter Education: Keep Learning!

This article comes courtesy of John M. Buol, Jr. of FirearmUserNetwork.com. Check out his site for more articles like this.

When I was volunteering as a certified hunter education instructor for the Wisconsin DNR, they published a compiled list of statistics for each season’s hunt. Being one of the top ten states for deer hunter participation, this makes an interesting and accurate case study. Let’s go over the lessons learned from the compiled numbers and see what we can discover about trends in field shooting and safety skills of hunters.

First, the good news. Organized events, even those as rudimentary as basic hunter education, are marvelously effective at improving safety skills. In 1907, decades before hunter education was established, there were 97 reported firearm mishaps statewide of which 41 resulted in death. The total deer harvested count was about 6,000.

In 2002, over five decades after the first hunter education program was established, the number of incidents was less than half that (47 total) despite a much larger hunting population taking the field: 618,945 licenses sold with 277,959 deer harvested.

According to the National Safety Council there is currently an average of seven firearm-related incidents for every 100,000 hunters in the United States. Wisconsin’s 2002 rate works out to 7  incidents for every 92,184 licensed hunters; close to the established national average.

This is yet more proof how safe shooting and hunting can be IF participants bother attending even the simplest, organized, skill-building event. Wisconsin’s hunter education course is a scant 10 hours with a large number of topics in the curriculum and there is no shooting proficiency test or standard. Twelve-year olds find the coursework simple. Worst of all, no follow-on events are offered or even suggested. Yet, the difference between the most vestigial training and none is astonishing.

Hunter education instructors and administrators deserve a pat on the back. Not too hard, though, as there are still a number of embarrassing problems to iron out.

In other articles and reports I’ve pointed out that about a third of all hunting “accidents” are self-inflicted and half are perpetrated by a hunting party member (someone the offending hunter knew was there.) That means there is no acceptable excuse for at least 80 percent of the mishaps.

The 2002 statistics prove this yet again. 14 of the 47 incidents (29.78%) were self inflicted and 24 of the incidents (51.06%) involved a hunter shooting a member of his or her own party. These incidents can be traced to abject incompetence due to unfamiliarity.

Actual hunting experience, without continuing range experience and training, is of little help. Tim Lawhern, Wisconsin’s Hunter Education Administrator, has noted in print that hunters with a number of years of hunting experience are often some of the worst offenders, not the new, inexperienced kids.

The numbers bear this observation out. Nearly half of the perpetrators (22 out of 47, 46.8%) were over the age of 35 and had hunted without mishaps for years. How can this be?

A new hunter takes basic hunter education and learns rudimentary skills. The tentative newbie is cautious with the lessons fresh in his mind. Unfortunately, after this one required event most hunters do nothing to further their field shooting and handling skills beyond this kindergarten level. As the years pass with incident-free hunts, and with nothing done to relearn and reinforce lessons learned, complacency sets in.

We see this with alarming frequency when adult hunters attend a field day with their kids – at least when we can get them to actually toe the line and shoot in front of the class. I’ve learned that the “experienced” hunter often has to be watched even closer than the kids at first. The new student’s safety procedures are just beginning to approach the Consciously Competent level. He may have to think about it first, but he knows what to do. The hunter who has neglected to reinforce these lessons too often reverts back to the Unconsciously Incompetent level, and doesn’t realize how much of the little skill obtained years back at the mandatory hunter education class has been forgotten. The most basic safety protocol violations, improper muzzle control and failing to keep fingers clear of the trigger, have to be watched for and corrected for a few rounds before the hunter begins to remember them again. Without a semi-regular refresher, such as a class, match, or other event, too many hunters learn the hard, painful way and end up as statistics in reports like this.

I’m continually amazed and disappointed at the number of really dumb and preventable gun mishaps. Some typical examples:

• “Victim reholstered pistol after a shot with finger on trigger, shot self in thigh.”
• “Victim had safety off and finger on trigger, shot self in foot.”
• “Victim sat down against tree and gun discharged.”

The numbers confirm the need for skill-refreshing events. Nearly two-thirds of the self-inflicted incidents (9 out of 14, 64.2 percent) involved hunter education graduates shooting themselves, and exactly three-quarters of the perpetrators who shot their hunting partner (18 out of 24, 75 percent) were graduates as well.

This is NOT a condemnation of the hunter education curriculum or instructors, rather, it is further evidence of the need to provide and promote adequate follow-on activities and sufficient participation by the majority of hunters and gun owners. As noted above, the most basic training experience makes a huge difference. It’s the follow-up, getting rank-and-file gun owners and hunters to bother to show up to shoots once in a while, where we drop the ball.

In summary:

• Organized, skill building events work! The huge drop in negligence due to hunter education proves it.
• Follow on experience is essential or the lessons will be lost. A mandatory, one time event is not enough.
• Raw number of years spent hunting is a poor indicator of skill. Hunters sometimes wait a year (or more!) between hunts. Refreshing skills in between through organized shooting events is vital.

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How To Safely Transport a Firearm

Any hunter safety course graduate can tell you that transporting firearms involves knowing and following federal laws and state regulations. In addition to abiding by the law, it’s critical to make safety a top priority. While state laws that govern transporting firearms can vary from one state to the next,  you can always rely on the recommended safety procedures below to  help you stay safe.

General Rules

• Always unload and case firearms before transporting them. In many states, this may be the law. The action should be open or the gun broken down, whichever makes the firearm safest.
• Firearms should not be displayed in window gun racks because the display may provoke anti-hunter sentiment. It’s also an invitation to thieves.
• Lean a firearm against a secure rest only. A vehicle does not provide a secure resting place. A gun that falls over might accidentally discharge or be damaged.

Storing your gun in a case when you’re transporting it can help keep you safe and protect your firearm. There are several gun case options to choose from.

Padded, soft-sided case

Material: Canvas, nylon, neoprene, polyester, or leather

Advantages:

• Light, easy to handle and store
• Many designs accommodate scoped rifles
• Offered in camouflage
• Waterproof and floating cases available for duck hunters
• Less costly than hard cases

Disadvantage:

• Less protection than hard-sided cases

Lockable, hard-sided case

Material: Aluminum or composite

Advantages:

• Lightweight but sturdy
• Meets airline standards
• Can include deep foam padding that holds firearm in place and cushions impact
• Composite models can be molded to fit firearm
• Available in waterproof models

Disadvantage:

• Bulkier and costlier than soft-sided cases

Gun sock

Material: Durable stretch fabric (polyester/acrylic) or soft pile materials

Advantages:

• Lightweight protection from dust, dirt, and moisture
• Offered in camouflage
• Often used as a second case to carry a firearm from a vehicle into a hunting area

Disadvantage:

• Minimal protection from elements or impact

No matter which firearms case you choose, always remember the basic rules of firearms safety:

• Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded gun.
• 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.

You can learn more about how to stay safe while hunting by taking an online hunter safety course at www.hunter-ed.com. The training offered at this site is approved by the state agencies responsible for hunter education, and it’s the same material that’s taught in the classroom.

Studying at hunter-ed.com is free. Those who must be certified before they can buy a hunting license pay a one-time fee, which is due only if they pass the test. Students can take the test as many times as they need to pass it. Online hunter safety courses are available in participating states, so visithunter-ed.com to take a course specific to your state.

In many states, students must pass an online course and a field day to complete all hunter education requirements. Field days are designed to be a hands-on, learning experience, and students are encouraged to review their state requirements about field days before beginning the online course.

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Safe Turkey Hunting Tactics are Also Best Practices for Bagging a Bird

Those planning to hunt turkeys this spring likely will spend hours practicing their calling, patterning shotguns and assembling gear. Spring turkey hunters should also devote themselves to learning about hunter safety.

“Safe turkey hunting strategies are well worth learning because they’re also tactics that can put you in the best position to take a gobbler,” said Tom Hughes, the National Wild Turkey Federation’s assistant vice president for education and outreach programs.

Running and gunning is a popular style of turkey hunting that consists of moving through the woods while calling. However, Hughes recommends an alternative strategy that will help you be safer and more successful.

“Calling while moving stacks the deck the wrong way. Another hunter could mistake you for a wild turkey,” Hughes said. “Instead, hunters should protect themselves by setting up against a tree taller than their head and wider than their shoulders before they start calling. Doing this also makes you more prepared for a gobbler that shows up more quickly than you expected.”

Visit an online turkey hunting forum and you’ll probably run across turkey hunters who say they like to sneak up on a gobbler, which is a bad idea according to Hughes.

“You might think you’re stalking a turkey, but you could actually be slipping up on another hunter,” Hughes said. “You should always adopt a skeptical attitude when you hear turkey calling. Good callers can sound as convincing as actual turkeys.”

In addition to safety concerns, the odds are against you when it comes to sneaking up on a gobbler. Turkeys have sharp eyesight and hear pretty well, too. You’d be better off setting up and calling a bird to you.

Another safety measure calls for turkey hunters to make a fashion statement. First, hunters should not wear red, white, blue or black, which are colors associated with a gobbler. In addition, while blaze orange provides a measure of safety during fall, Hughes advises spring turkey hunters to avoid wearing blaze orange.

“Orange is closest to red in the color spectrum, and it can be mistaken for the red on a gobbler’s head,” Hughes said. “We saw that in Pennsylvania when they still required blaze orange during their spring turkey season. A study revealed that some incidents occurred when hunters shot at something moving that they thought was red, when in fact it was another hunter wearing blaze orange. Another issue related to orange was hunters reported hearing a turkey and seeing movement but no orange, so they shot. Basically, both the presence and absence of blaze orange was a problem during spring turkey season.”

Your best bet when turkey hunting is to wear camouflage or drab greens and browns including undershirts, socks, gloves and a face mask.

Shooting at sounds, color and movement is a big no-no. Hughes recommends that hunters be absolutely certain that what they intend to shoot is a legal turkey.

“Demand multiple points of identification. If you see movement, do you also see the turkey’s beard? Feet and wings? Is it really a turkey? Plus, seeing the gobbler’s eyes is a good indicator that the bird is within range.”

Hughes also recommends being careful when carrying decoys, especially gobbler decoys. Using an earth-tone colored bag to hold the decoy as you move from place to place is a smart safety measure.

The shot shell you choose is another safety factor to consider. Shot size larger than #4 can be more dangerous to other hunters. Plus, it’s unlikely to produce a dense enough pattern for a quick, clean kill. Research shows that #4 to #6 lead shot is best, though some modern alloy loads in #7 have great pattern density and enough downrange energy to kill a gobbler out to 40 yards.

Shot shell technology has improved throughout the years, however, it shouldn’t be taken as an invitation to shoot farther than the recommended 40 yards with any load. If you’re shooting beyond 40 yards, it’s harder to positively identify your target. Plus, there are hunter safety issues associated with long-range shots.

You can learn more about how to stay safe while hunting by taking an online hunter safety course at http://www.hunter-ed.com. The training offered at this site is approved by the state agencies responsible for hunter education, and it’s the same material that’s taught in the classroom.

Studying at www.hunter-ed.com is free. Those who must be certified before they can buy a hunting license pay a one-time fee, which is due only if they pass the test. Students can take the test as many times as they need to pass it. Online hunter safety courses are available in participating states, so visit hunter-ed.com to take a course specific to your state.

To learn more about defensive turkey hunting tactics, visit the National Wild Turkey Federation’s website at http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=11551

About Kalkomey

Kalkomey, parent company of hunter-ed.com, is the official provider of recreational safety education products for all 50 states. Our print and Internet courses have been providing official safety certification since 1995. We provide safety courses in boating, hunting, bowhunting, and off-road vehicle (ORV) and snowmobile operation. For more information, visit http://www.kalkomey.com/.

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Mississippi’s Online Hunter Safety Course Upgraded to Help Students Learn How to be Safe and Successful

Students taking Mississippi’s online hunter safety course will experience a variety of new features designed to provide a high-quality educational experience that is easy and fun. One feature that remains the same is students can study for free at www.hunter-ed.com/Mississippi, paying only when they pass their hunter certification exam.

The new version of hunter-ed.com/Mississippi offers an optional narration feature that allows students to listen, read or both. Exam questions also are read out loud and include illustrations to help students recall what they’ve learned.

In addition, Mississippi’s online hunter safety course is designed to engage students with a combination of short text blocks and detailed illustrations and animations. Using this mix of teaching methods helps students quickly grasp course concepts, rather than get bogged down reading long pages of text. Plus, they can study the material at hunter-ed.com/Mississippi at their convenience.

Students who must receive their hunter education certification to obtain a hunting license pay a one-time fee of $24.50, which is due only if they pass the test. Students can take the test as many times as they need to pass it. To complete the hunter education requirements for Mississippi, students must pass both the online and final classroom course portions of the hunter education safety course. After taking the online course, students should sign up for the final 3-hour classroom course. (http://www.hunter-ed.com/mississippi/field_day.html)

Under Mississippi hunter education law, people born on or after Jan. 1, 1972, are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Students must be at least 10 years old to obtain hunter education certification. Visit Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks website for more information about Mississippi hunter education law.

Hunter-ed.com has been reviewed and approved by the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and contains the same hunter safety content as the classroom course. To take this course, visit www.hunter-ed.com/Mississippi.

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