This is the results of Alabama’s 2006-2007 seasons.
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David Rainer of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
1/23/08
For hunter education proponents, Alabama’s 2006-2007 hunting season was cause for celebration. There wasn’t a single firearms-related fatality during the entire season, which starts with dove hunting in the fall and ends with turkey season in the spring.
“That was the first time we hadn’t had any fatal firearms accidents since we’ve been keeping records and we started keeping records in 1973,” said Ray Metzler, Hunter Education Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. “We thought we had made it through the season without any fatalities, but we found out after the season was over that we had one fatal tree stand accident. It happened in Bullock County and people are not required to report a tree stand accident, like they are a firearms accident.”
Still, to go eight months without a single firearms-related fatality is evidence that hunter education is working.
“I thought it was a significant accomplishment,” Metzler said. “Since the mandatory hunter education program started, our accidents have gone down overall. Any gunshot accident is certainly something to be concerned about. We’re looking forward to a year when we don’t have any fatalities at all.
“I think there are a couple of things that have had an effect on hunting accidents. I’m not going to say hunter ed is the only thing, but I do believe it has played a role. Just the fact we have a mandatory program, puts additional emphasis on safety. People are more aware. Plus, you’ve got the mandatory blaze orange law (a minimum of 144 square inches of hunter orange or either a full size hunter orange hat or cap). And we teach the 10 Commandments of Safety.”
Those 10 commandments are as follows:
1. Treat every firearm as if it was loaded.
2. Control the muzzle of your firearm – keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction; never point a firearm at anything that you do not wish to shoot; insist that your shooting and hunting companions do the same.
3. Be sure of your target and beyond – positively identify your target before you fire and make sure there are no people, livestock, roads or buildings beyond the target.
4. Never shoot at water or a hard, flat surface – there is no control of a ricocheting bullet.
5. Only point a firearm at things you want to shoot – and don’t use a scope for target identification, use binoculars.
6. Never climb a tree, cross a fence or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm.
7. Store guns and ammunition separately – store firearms under lock and key and use a gun case to transport firearms.
8. Make sure your barrel and action are clear of all obstructions.
9. Unload firearms when not in use – never take someone else’s word that a firearm is unloaded. Check yourself.
10. Avoid drugs and alcohol when hunting or shooting – even some over-the-counter medicines can cause impairment.
Hunter safety has been mandatory in Alabama since 1993 and anyone born on or after Aug. 1, 1977 is required to complete the course before the person can purchase a regular hunting license. A new provision in the license law allows people of license-buying age (16 and older) who haven’t completed the hunter education requirement to purchase a restricted license to hunt with a properly licensed hunter as a mentor. The license will indicate ‘supervision required,’ which means the new hunter must be within normal voice control – not over 30 feet – from a properly licensed hunter who is at least 21 years old.
“We have more and more hunters each year who have taken the hunter ed course,” Metzler said. “I think that’s helped. Also, I think the way we hunt has had an effect. Seldom do you go to a club where you don’t find a sign-out board. For the most part, you have an area to yourself. I think that has helped some. We don’t have nearly as many people walking around the woods like we used to.”
Unfortunately, Metzler won’t be able to celebrate the 2007-2008 season as free of firearms fatalities. According to news reports, an 18-year-old hunter fatally wounded his 15-year-old hunting companion, mistaking movement in the woods near Abbeville for a deer. The report also indicated the victim was wearing a hunter orange hat but had pulled his hood up and covered most of the blaze orange.
“I haven’t seen the final report, but my understanding is that is what happened,” Metzler said of the news report. “The emphasis is always on the shooter. It’s his responsibility when he pulls trigger. But a hunter can take it upon himself to use blaze orange and a flashlight to minimize the chances of being mistaken for game.
“The thing is you’ve got to identify your target and what’s beyond. You’ve got to be absolutely certain about your target. There is no excuse for shooting at movement.”
Metzler said the majority of firearms accidents occur during deer season. With a great deal of rutting activity expected through the end of the season on Jan. 31, the deer activity could be hot and heavy.
“For the rest of the deer season, I hope all hunters will have two things – a blaze orange cap and flashlight,” he said. “Carry a small flashlight and use it during dim light conditions. I’ve got three or four in my truck all the time. You can buy a Mini-Mag for $9 and it comes with batteries. It’s a $9 lifesaver as far as I’m concerned. It’s pretty easy to identify somebody with blaze orange or carrying a flashlight.”
Metzler also wants hunters to take advantage of the safety equipment used in climbing trees.
“We encourage folks to wear a full body harness on their way up and down the tree,” he said. “A lot of people have fall-restraint equipment on when they fall. They only attach it when they get to their destination. Most tree-stand accidents happen in a transition, going up or down or stepping off a ladder onto a platform. Use a climbing system where you’re attached to the tree from the time you leave the ground until you come back down.
“I think we’ve come a long way in tree stand safety in the last 10 years. More people are wearing a harness and staying attached to the tree, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
