p>Nostalgic fall days in the field are easy to get lost in, and safety must always be a priority. Fall wild turkey and other hunting seasons are opening throughout the country. As always, the National Wild Turkey Federation wants to remind hunters of a few precautions to keep everyone safe.

A Plan for Safety

To continue making hunting even safer, the NWTF has created a new turkey hunting safety curriculum, Turkey Hunting Success & Safety, which is available as a two-disk CD-ROM and DVD set to anyone interested in hunter safety. The disks contain videos, lessons, articles, downloadable handouts and PowerPoints, providing instructors everything needed to teach hunters how to be safe and successful.

"This curriculum is a great tool for hunter education instructors as well anyone who teaches hunting safety," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "Using the latest technology, this curriculum will be a fun way to teach people how to become better and safer hunters."

The Turkey Hunting Success & Safety curriculum is available for $5 plus shipping. It was reviewed and endorsed by the International Hunter Education Association.

To ensure safety in the woods this fall, the NWTF has compiled a list of helpful firearm safety tips:

• Treat all firearms as if loaded.
• Always point the firearm in a safe direction.
• Never point a firearm in the direction of anyone or anything you don't want to shoot.
• Never put your finger on the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Know your target and what is behind your target.
• Know the firearm and its mechanical characteristics.
• Never rely on the firearm's safety.
• Use the correct gauge or caliber ammunition.
• Never handle a firearm during or after using alcohol or drugs.
• Be sure the barrel is not obstructed before shooting.
• Wear eye and ear protection.
• Store firearms unloaded and in a way to prevent unauthorized use.

"Each year, hunting incidents are played up as common events, but in reality, hunters are safer in the woods than they are driving to the woods," said Rob Keck, National Wild Turkey Federation CEO. "Staying alert and being responsible is a must. In fact, it's the only way to keep you and your hunting partners safe. Always identify your target and practice proper firearms handling to ensure a safe hunt. Like being a good defensive driver, you must be a good defensive hunter. A safe hunter is a successful hunter."

According to the National Safety Council, a person was 77 times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident than by a firearm in 2003. With more than 20 million hunters entering the woods every year, hunters have a one in 350,000 chance of being involved in an incident.

The numbers show hunting is one of the safest ways to enjoy the outdoors, but experts know it only takes one second of carelessness from even the most experienced hunter to turn a fun trip into tragedy.

"Hunters are concerned and responsible citizens, and they're committed to continuing the downward trend in hunting accidents," said Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. "Firearms accidents overall have been declining for many years and now are at the lowest level in the history of record keeping, thanks to the safety awareness programs of many different organizations."

For more information on firearm and hunting safety, the NWTF's Turkey Hunting Success & Safety curriculum or the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF.

Defensive Turkey Hunting Tactics

• Select the largest stump, blow-down, tree trunk or rock that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head to place your back against when calling; a hunter is more likely to spot another hunter when moving to the front or side than from behind.
• Eliminate the colors white, red, black and blue from your hunting outfit; this includes handkerchiefs, socks, underwear, etc. These are the colors of a turkey gobbler.
• Select your calling spot in open timber rather than thick brush; eliminating movement is a key to success, not concealment.
• Be discreet when imitating the sound of a gobbling turkey.
• A good woodsman can always detect movement in the forest by watching other game or listening for the alarm cries of Blue jays, crows, squirrels or woodpeckers. Be alert.
• When songbirds, crows or your turkey shuts up, look out. There's a good chance another hunter is moving in on your bird.
• Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence. Remain still and speak in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence. These tactics are safer than quick movements. Use common sense.

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