We are heading into hunting season here in the Quad Cities and experts want to make it a safe one. Last year was more dangerous than anyone would have liked with several accidents. In 2011, there were 26 non fatal hunting related accidents in Iowa. Meanwhile there were 25 non-fatal accidents and one fatal in Illinois.
However, hunter safety instructors said these can easily be prevented. They said it just takes an education and Saturday at the Rock Island Conservation Club in Milan, nearly 200 kids and adults got just that through a hands on hunter's safety course. For many of the families there, enjoying the great outdoors is a lot of fun, however they learned that fun comes a big responsibility.
"Like any sport it can be dangerous. Driving can be dangerous, that's why we have drivers education. It decreases danger when you educate them. Firearms are not the dangerous thing, it's the lack of knowledge how to handle one," Hunter Brad Swartout said.
Swartout brought his son Connor to the course, so he could learn everything about safely handling, loading and using a firearm.
"Hunting is a great sport when done in a safe way, great opportunity to spend time with your kids," he said.
Through real life scenarios instructors showed both kids and adults the importance of unloading a gun before they get in a boat or try to cross a fence. They also taught students how to keep their firearm pointed in safe direction, as well what to do if someone tries to hand them one.
"Never take the gun from anyone unless the action is open and you can see it is unloaded," said Jim Garcia, Chief Officer of the Hunter's Safety Course.
Meanwhile, in the field, look before you shoot was the lesson of the day.
"Be aware of your target and what you're shooting at. Make sure your not just looking at your deer or turkey."
As students learned, people like a hidden fisherman or camouflaged bow hunter could be in the way.
"Makes you think about what you learned," Hunter Craig Kerney said.
Instructors said making people think is the goal. They said it makes hunting as safe and enjoyable as possible. Meanwhile, students at the course were given a test they had to pass in order to get a "Hunter's Safety Education Card". Before you can even buy a hunting license in both Iowa and Illinois you need to have one.
Instructors said the courses started in 1965 and since then the number of accidents has gone down dramatically.
