Tragic hunting accidents involving firearms have taken place recently. A 16-year-old Wyoming boy died from a firearm related hunting accident last week in the Elk Mountain area of Wyoming’s Lincoln County. Closer to home, a man was airlifted to the hospital on Saturday after a non-fatal accidental shooting while hunting in the Soapstone Basin area of Wasatch County. Local DWR Conservation Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby responded to Evans Family Media’s request for a safety message following these tragic incidents. The four primary safety rules for handling a firearm are to always treat every firearm like it’s loaded, always point the gun muzzle in a safe direction, know your target and what’s beyond it, and around it, and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. “These principles are taught in every hunter education class,” shares Kieffer-Selby. “Since the Hunter Education Program was launched in 1957, teaching safe firearm handling has been a major component of our curriculum and continues to be a priority in our courses…We are sad to hear about any injuries or death that result from accidents involving firearms.” Other responsible shooting tips to remember are: do not shoot near homes or other structures and don't leave trash, including shell casings or pieces of the targets. Pack out what you bring. Per Utah law, it is illegal to discharge a firearm within 600 feet of a house, dwelling or any other building.
For more about Utah's hunter education and firearm safety, visit https://wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation.
Photo: wildlife.utah.gov