Nebraskaland

14 Nebraskaland • November 2022 IN THE FIELD We often think hunter safety is common sense: Don't point your gun at anything you don't want to shoot, always be aware of your background, and all of the many other tips hunters hear yearly. Yet every season, there is a long list of hunter-related incidents and even more near misses. Start with being honest about what you see, said Nebraska Game and Parks Commission hunter safety coordinator Hunter Nikolai. "Have you ever been muzzle swept by one of those hunters?" he said. "I have. Whether it is someone in my hunting party, or someone I don't know, I always speak up when I see it. I kindly tell them what they did wrong and correct their action, in hopes that they never do it again. Speak up when you see something." Here are a few other, sometimes not thought about, tips from the people who know best — hunters themselves. Eric Fowler — You never want to glass another hunter and see them pointing a rifle at you. This has happened to me twice. Buy a pair of binoculars, even cheap ones, to view your surroundings when hunting. Todd Mills — Don't overload your waterfowl boat. This seems logical, but folks often do it. Pay strict attention to your boat's weight capacity. Also, make sure you have life jackets for everyone in the boat, as well as an extra. Leslie Hershberger — Even if the distance is safe, do not set up right in line with other hunters when waterfowl or dove hunting to avoid pellet spray. Safety glasses are also a nice add-on. Daryl Bauer — Make sure you know exactly how many shells you have loaded in your gun, and whether your gun has its plug. Travis Shepler — First, make a clean, safe shot. Then, regardless of the result, control your emotions. Do not become too excited or irritated. Andy Bishop — Always have situational awareness. Rivers are unforgiving, especially in waders. Recently, while hunting the Loup, I fell into a sink hole with water up to my thigh. I was stuck. I looked upstream and a big chunk of ice was floating my way. My hunting buddy had to pull me out. Always hunt with a partner. Gerry Steinauer — I've walked multiple times with other hunters and seen their guns go off. Always make sure your safety is on. Another note: If you have a kid who has left for college, he or she will find any hunting buddy they can. During this time of my own life, I saw most of my hunter safety issues. Remind your kid that the hunter safety rules you instilled are not always followed by others. Hunter Nikolai — Don't get careless around your furry hunting companions. Hunting dogs have been the culprit of hunting incidents in both upland and waterfowl hunting scenarios. Dog steps on gun laying on the ground, gun fires, shoots hunter. Dog retrieves duck and jumps back in the boat, steps on the shotgun's trigger — hunter shot. Yes, these are freak occurrences, but they do happen and can be prevented with vigilance and practicing simple firearm safety. Today, hunting is one of the safest recreational activities in America, according to a report by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Annual hunting incidents in Nebraska have decreased by over 70 percent since the introduction of Nebraska's Hunter Education Program in 1974. For more information, view the Nebraska Hunting Incident Report at HuntSafeNebraska.org. By Jeff Kurrus SAFETY TIPS FROM HUNTERS Wearing hunter orange is not required for upland game hunting but is strongly encouranged. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND

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