Gun Safety
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.biggame.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/untamed.png[/author_image] [author_info]Larry Weishuhn is a widely known writer, speaker, raconteur and world hunter. He co-hosts “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” on Pursuit Channel, CarbonTV and the show’s YouTube Channel.[/author_info] [/author]
Recently while visiting with Greg Simons of Wildlife Systems for an episode of my podcast “DSC’s Untamed Heritage,” the subject of gun safety came up. Through Wildlife Systems (www.wildlifesystems.com), Greg and his excellent staff of guides welcome a lot of hunters afield each year for a variety of hunts including elk, mule deer, whitetails, pronghorn, numerous exotic species on down to javelina and game birds. In doing so, he and his guides encounter many hunters: male and female, young and old, those with tremendous hunting experience to those on their first-ever hunt. Every one of Wildlife Systems’ hunters goes through a short “orientation” upon arriving in camp. All hunters then head to the range to confirm gun, archery or crossbow zero. The purpose of range time is multi-fold. It allows the guides to observe how hunters handle their guns or archery equipment, how well they shoot, how extensive the hunter’s knowledge is for what he or she is using, and, of course, if their firearms or bow/crossbow is indeed sighted-in.
Greg and I were discussing how he and his guides evaluate clients and how they handle the subject of gun safety. He relayed an experience he shared with Dr. Don Steinbach, an experienced biologist and leader with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Don was conducting a Hunter Safety Class, which Greg sat in on.
“Don asked the assembled group of young hunters if they knew where the safety was on their respective firearm.” Greg continued, “As he walked amongst them all the students pointed to the mechanical device on their gun indicating safe or fire. When he had observed each student he proclaimed they were all wrong! At that point, he pointed to his head and told them their brain was the ultimate safety, because their brain not only controlled where the gun was pointed at all times, knew whether or not their guns were loaded with live ammo, knew target identification and what laid beyond but also on either side as well as in front of their target. He continued that their brain also determined whether or not to and when to pull the trigger.”
“Today we stress gun safety while in camp and hunting. We point out a hunter’s brain is the ultimate safety!” Greg’s story made an excellent point and one we should all remember!
Regardless of what is going on in the world, there are always small things, of beauty and splendor, for us to enjoy, admire and appreciate!
Watch “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” TV show on our YouTube Channel, or on CarbonTV.
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