Hunting Begins – Remember Hunter Safety!

Sep 15, 2017 @ 12:55

The Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind hunters that safety need to be the first priority when heading out into the outdoors this fall.

There are a number of things hunters can do to keep themselves and those around them safe. Some safety rules hunters are asked to keep in mind include:

Hunting Safety Rules:

All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (a minimum of 400 square inches or 2,580 square centimetres above the waist) and a hunter orange head cover during gun seasons for deer, moose and elk. Outside the gun seasons for deer, moose and elk these requirements also apply to bear hunters who are not hunting from a tree stand.
Handle firearms with care and attention at all times.
Hunters must never shoot unless they are absolutely sure of their target and what lies beyond it.
It is illegal to shoot from a vehicle or carry a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle.
It is illegal to discharge a firearm from or across the travelled portion of a right of way for public vehicular traffic. In many parts of Ontario it is also illegal to have a loaded firearm, or discharge a firearm, in any part of the right of way.
Never drink alcohol and hunt.
If you hunt from a tree stand always wear a safety harness and use a rope to raise and lower your firearm.

General Safety:

Tell someone where you will be hunting and when you will be returning.
Know the weather conditions in your hunting area and dress accordingly.
In an emergency, stay calm and stay put.
Avoid hypothermia. Know how to treat it if it strikes.
Keep rested, hydrated and well nourished.
Carry a survival kit and a small first aid kit with you at all times.
Know how to build a fire in all weather conditions and carry the supplies to start one.
Carry a map and compass or GPS unit and know how to use them.

“Safe hunting begins with firearms safety. Treat every firearm as loaded and always be sure of your target. It’s important that everyone who takes part in this outdoor activity does so safely. I urge you to know and follow the safety rules when out hunting.” – Sault Ste. Marie OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Michael Maville.

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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario. Our officers are responsible for policing over one million square kilometres of land and waterways. They provide frontline policing services to more than 320 Ontario municipalities and patrol over 126,000 kilometres of provincial roadways.