Know your safe zone of fire this upland bird season

Nebraska’s pheasant, quail and partridge seasons are quickly approaching. The youth season is Oct. 21-22, and the general season opens Oct. 28.

Historically, hunters swinging on game and firing outside of their safe zones of fire have been the primary cause of upland bird hunting incidents. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters to make sure safety is at the forefront of every hunt:

• Communicate your game plan with your hunting party before and during your hunt and with other hunters in the area.
• Always establish and maintain a safe zone of fire away from people, structures, roadways, vehicles, bird dogs, and any direction that could cause injury or damage if fired.
• Wear hunter orange on your head, chest and back to increase your visibility to your hunting party and other hunters.
• Never cross a fence, ditch, waterway or obstacle with a loaded shotgun. Never lean a loaded shotgun on a fence or vehicle.

In addition, hunters always should follow the four basic rules of firearm safety:

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction.
• Be sure of your target, what’s in front of it, and what’s beyond it.
• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Hunting continues to be one of the safest outdoor recreational activities, thanks to hunter orange and hunter education classes that have been taught by volunteer instructors across Nebraska since the 1970s.

Hunters ages 12-29 are reminded that they must carry proof of successful completion of a hunter education course while hunting. Proof can be in the form of a valid Nebraska hunting permit or durable hard card containing the hunter’s hunter education number, or a hunter education card or certificate issued by another state. Display on a mobile phone is allowed.

Those ages 12-29 who have not completed a hunter education course may purchase a $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate that provides novice hunters an opportunity to hunt while accompanied by a licensed adult hunter before completing a hunter education course.

For more information on hunter education requirements and exemptions, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org.

To learn more about hunting in Nebraska, or to purchase a permit, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov.