'ACCT' - 4 rules to remember for firearms safety
Hunting is one of the safest sports, with only a small fraction of participants ever involved in a hunting incident. Even with minor chances for issues, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) still encourages hunters to review the ‘Four Primary Rules of Firearms Safety’ before heading to the woods.
Of the more than 600,000 hunters afield last year, Georgia reported only 35 hunting incidents, none of which were fatal.
The following checklist, comprised of only four items, is covered in all hunter education courses and easily can be remembered with the acronym ACTT:
A – Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
C – Control the muzzle of the firearm at all times.
T – Be certain of the Target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
T – Keep your finger outside of the Trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
For more information on firearms safety, visit http://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/huntersafetytips or contact the Wildlife Resources Division Hunter Education office at 706-557-3355.
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - Time to fill up that freezer with one of the healthiest meats available! The Georgia deer firearms season opens Sat., Oct. 20 and continues through Jan. 13, 2019 statewide.
“Hunting is a grand tradition in Georgia, with all types of people participating,” Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist for the Wildlife Resources Division, said. “It is an exciting activity enjoyed by many, and Georgia has one of the longest deer seasons, with a deer harvest that is sustainably among the highest, and with quality bucks.”
During firearms deer season last year, more than 321,000 hunters harvested almost 310,000 deer in the state. The use of regulated deer hunting ensures that Georgia’s deer population continues to be healthy and strong.
Either Sex Day Map: Hunters can check out the interactive map created to see the opportunities available for the counties they hunt. If you hunt on National Forest land, either-sex days may be different than on private land. More info at http://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/deer-opportunities.
Georgia Game Check: All deer hunters must report their harvest using Georgia Game Check. Deer can be reported on the Outdoors GA app (which now works whether you have cell service or not), at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, or by calling 1-800-366-2661.
Georgia hunters have access to more than one million acres of public hunting land across the state, including over 100 state-operated wildlife management areas. In addition to traditional hunts, a number of special hunts are offered, including ladies-only and adult/child hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts, as well as WMA maps, can be found in the 2018-2019 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide at http://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.
Hunters are allowed a harvest of up to 10 antlerless deer, and no more than two antlered deer (with one of the two antlered deer having a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).
To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, a big game license and a current deer harvest record. Licenses can be purchased online at https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, by phone at 1-800-366-2661 or at a license agent (list of agents available online).
For more information on deer hunting seasons, regulations, licenses and WMA maps, visit http://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.
