The duck-shooting season in New Zealand started on May 7th. This is a time of year when hunters go out to shoot ducks for sport or food. Early reports suggest that the weather was perfect for shooting with little wind and clear skies, and around 60,000 hunters took advantage of the opening weekend.
However, it’s important to remember that hunting can be dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has reminded hunters of seven basic firearms safety rules to help prevent accidents.
The first rule is to treat every firearm as if it’s loaded. Even if you think the gun is empty, always check to make sure before handling it. The second rule is to always point the firearm in a safe direction, away from people or anything else you don’t want to shoot.
The third rule is to only load the gun when you’re ready to shoot. This means keeping the safety on until you’re ready to fire. The fourth rule is to make sure you’re certain of your target before you pull the trigger. Never shoot at anything unless you’re absolutely sure it’s a safe and legal target.
The fifth rule is to check your firing zone. This means looking around to make sure there’s nothing behind or around your target that you could hit by accident. The sixth rule is to store firearms and ammunition safely when they’re not in use. This means keeping them locked up and out of reach of children or anyone else who shouldn’t have access to them.
Finally, the seventh rule is to avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms. Drinking or taking drugs can impair your judgment and reaction time, making it more likely that you’ll have an accident.
By following these safety rules, hunters can enjoy the duck-shooting season safely and responsibly.
