Hunting Safety

Hunting safety and training programs have proven very successful in decreasing firearm accidents and hunting injuries. In the past ten years there has been a dramatic decline in the number of firearm accidents and fatalities due to incidences such as accidental discharge, failing to identify the target, and moving into the line of fire.

Firearm Accidents and Hunting Injuries

Most of the two-party hunting injuries and casualties involve hunters swinging on upland game with shotguns, covering their hunting partners or not seeing their partners. These are vision related firearm accidents that may be preventable if the hunters wear blaze orange clothing while hunting upland game.

The use of blaze or hunter orange has been shown to reduce vision related hunting injuries and casualties in states that require its use. The use of blaze orange clothing could decrease the number of vision related firearm accidents and casualties even further. Its continued use is recommended for all hunting activity except possibly for migratory bird hunting. In most situations, the number of hunting injuries and casualties could be reduced by over 50 percent if vision related firearm accidents could be eliminated. Hunting accident attorneys at Fields Law are able to help you with any losses suffered as a result of hunting injuries and firearm accidents.

Hunting and Firearm Safety

Self-inflicted gunshots are the second most common cause of accidental discharge injuries and fatalities. These casualties are caused by improperly handling a loaded firearm in some manner. Firearm accident and hunting injuries can be greatly reduced by following several important rules.

Rule 1: Always treat firearms as if they were loaded and ready to fire.

Many firearm accidents and hunting injuries are caused by a handler thinking a gun is emptied or the safety is on. Misunderstandings such as these can lead to accidental gunshots which result in hunting injuries. A safety is not a substitute for treating your gun as if it is always loaded and ready to fire. It is a safe practice to also unload your gun as soon as you are finished shooting and keep your firearm and ammunition stored separately and under locked access.

Rule 2: Always point the muzzle away from anyone or anything you don't want to shoot.

This rule is very important in preventing an accidental discharge from injuring another person. Hunting injuries are sometimes caused by passing a firearm to another person and not pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. Two safe directions to point the muzzle are upwards toward the sky and downwards toward the ground.

Rule 3: Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

This rule also helps prevent an accidental discharge. Hunting injuries can be caused when a hunter is in the field with his finger on the trigger and is startled or trips and the gun discharges. It is best not to touch the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Rule 4: Always be sure of your target and surroundings before shooting.

Hunters are taught to positively identify their target before firing. A hunter must identify exactly what the target is and observe whatever is close to and behind the target. Many hunting injuries are cause by shooting at an unidentified target or non-target resulting in injury to someone in your hunting party or a bystander. It is important to remember that bullets can travel great distances and still cause serious or fatal hunting injuries.

Hunting Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered a hunting injury you may be entitled to file a claim against the responsible party. Fields Law hunting accident wrongful death attorneys can investigate your accidental discharge injury claim and help you with medical bills, lost wages and other financial compensation. We have the experience and resources to fight for justice and fair compensation for those injured in firearm accidents.

There is no charge to evaluate your claim and there are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Hunting accident attorneys protecting the citizens of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and representing hunting accident victims throughout the United States.