Make this a Safe & Hunting Season

With small game and deer hunting seasons in full swing across the province the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) would like to remind hunters to put safety first.

The OCOA would like remind all hunters to remember the following acronyms delivered in firearms safety ACTS and PROVE:

• Assume every firearm is loaded

• Control the muzzle direction at all times

• Trigger finger must be kept off the trigger and out of the trigger guard

• See that the firearm is unloaded – PROVE it safe

• Point the firearm in the safest available direction

• Remove all ammunition

• Observe the chamber

• Verify the feeding path

• Examine the bore

Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related offence is encouraged to call the Ministry of Natural Resources violation reporting line at 1-877-847-7667 or contact their local Conservation Officer directly. ■