Firearm Safety
As you join thousands of hunters heading into the woods, fields and marshes during the fall hunting seasons, Wisconsin DNR safety experts remind you to review and think about firearm safety each and every time you head out.
Four Basic Rules Of Firearm Safety
Adherence to the four basic rules of firearm safety, which can be easily remembered using the TAB-K formula, is essential to any responsible hunting trip.
T = Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Never assume a firearm is unloaded, and never treat it that way, even if you watch as it is unloaded. Make it a habit to treat guns like they are loaded all the time.
A = Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. About 1/3 of all hunting incidents are self-inflicted injuries. That means the muzzle was pointed at some part of the hunter's body. A safe direction is a direction where the bullet will travel and harm no one in the event of an unwanted discharge. There are no accidental discharges with firearms, only unwanted discharges.
B = Be certain of your target, what's before and beyond it. Positive target identification is a must. To shoot at something you only think is a legal target is gambling. In the case of human injury, that means gambling with human life. You must be absolutely certain and correct in judgment before deciding to shoot. Otherwise, it's reckless behavior. In addition to identifying the target, a hunter must know that a safe backstop for their bullet is present in every shooting situation. We don't always hit our target, and, in some cases, the bullet passes through the target. A safe backstop guarantees that no one will get hurt.
K = Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. If a hunter stumbles with a firearm in one hand and nothing in the other, whatever that person does with their free hand will automatically happen with the hand holding the gun. If a finger is inside the trigger guard, that hand is likely going to close around the pistol grip of the gun and on the trigger, causing an unwanted discharge.
Planning your fall hunting trip also means having your gear in proper working order. Firearms should be cleaned and closely inspected for any signs of mechanical wear that could result in a problem in the field.
Firearms aren't the only items that need to be checked well in advance of a hunting trip. Clothing and other equipment should also be inspected for signs of wear and tear. Anything that might cause you to compromise safety should be repaired, discarded or replaced. Blaze orange clothing that has faded over time, a jacket that doesn't fit right or a scope that isn't adjusted correctly can compromise your safety and the safety of others.
Have a safe and enjoyable hunt!
Learn more about the four basic rules of firearm safety:
- T(Treat every firearm as if it is loaded) [PDF]
- A(Always point the muzzle in a safe direction) [PDF]
- B(Be certain of your target, what's before and beyond it) [PDF]
- K(Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot) [PDF]
Tree Stand Safety
Stand-related incidents are one of the leading causes of injury to hunters. Unfortunately, most hunters overestimate their ability to avoid accidents and do not take proper safety precautions. Always inspect your tree stand, including straps, prior to each use.
- Always wear a safety harness when you hunt from any elevated stand, no matter what type of stand it is.
- Always unload your firearm before attaching it to your haul line. Your haul line is used to raise and lower your firearm or other gear.
- Always maintain three points of contact while climbing in and out of the tree stand. This means two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand at all times.
- Use a lifeline so you’re connected and safe at all times – while climbing up, while sitting and while climbing down.
- Check for worn or torn straps holding the stand to the tree.
- Take your time getting in and out of the stand. Think about each move you are making and be deliberate with your actions.
To learn more about tree stand safety, visit the DNR Tree Stand Safety webpage.
YouTube Safety Videos
- TAB-K hunting safety video [exit DNR]
- Hmong TAB-K video [exit DNR]
- Effectiveness of blaze orange clothing - video [exit DNR]