Turkey Hunting - Safety
Turkey hunting is not an inherently dangerous
sport. But the potential for problems
exists as camouflaged guys slip around
the woods and call like turkeys in the
spring and fall. Safety MUST BE your first
priority.
-
Handle your shotgun safely at all times.
- Unload
it before entering a truck, camp, house,
etc.
-
Don't wear a red, white or blue T-shirt
or socks beneath your camouflage. If
one of these colors sticks out during
a hunt (i.e., your camo pants ride up
to show white and red-topped socks)
some careless nitwit nearby might mistake
it for a gobbler's head. Don't laugh,
it has happened!
- Don't
use gobbler calls or decoys on heavily
hunted public lands.
- Set
up to call in fairly open areas where
you can see 40 to 60 yards. Sit against
a tree as wide as your back. If you
see another hunter approaching your
calling post, don't wave your hands-sudden
movement could be mistaken for a turkey
flashing in the brush. Whistle or speak
out in a normal voice.
- In
the spring if you hear a turkey gobbling
near a truck or ATV parked in the woods,
you can pretty much bet another hunter
is working the bird. Back out of the
area and go find another tom to hunt
to avoid a potential conflict.
- Is
that a hen or another hunter yelping
or cutting in the brush? Sometimes it
is tough to tell. If you have the slightest
doubt that another caller might be in
the area, leave.
- Before
slipping off your shotgun's safety BE
ABSOLUTELY SURE OF YOUR TARGET-a long-bearded
tom in the spring, or a tom or maybe
a hen (where legal) in the fall. Never
take this seemingly simple task lightly.
Statistics show that mature, experienced
hunters cause many accidents. A 180-pound
man should never be mistaken for an
18-pound turkey, but it happens every
season. Know your target before shooting!
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