OCR Text |
Show Page HILL TOP TIMES 22 October 12. 1973 yfl (gj self-inflicte- -- d. -- Experienced hunters may shake their heads in dismay and conclude that the victims were greenhorns. Not so, say the NRA statistics. Although approximately 25 per cent had less than three s had hunted in years' hunting experience, nearly three or more previous years. Were they drunk, then? No, more than about per cent were reported under the apparent influence of alcohol or drugs. Kids? On the average, roughly 45 per cent were in their teens; the majority were 20 years of age or older. And about 80 per cent had hunting licenses. All gunshot wounds must be reported to the police, so let's ride along with them and investigate just a few recent cases. Relatives began searching for a 22 year old man when he failed to return from a hunting trip. Sheriff's deputies found him under a fence, dead. Apparently he was crawling under the fence when his gun discharged. Another man was hunting with two companions when they shot a pheasant. The winged bird started running and the man ran after it. Cornering it, he hit it with the butt of his shotgun. The gun fired at point-blan- k range and killed him. Another individual had just enjoyed a hunt with his two sons. They placed their guns and dogs in the back of their station wagon and drove off. Later one of the dogs stepped on a shotgun, tripping the trigger and the father was killed. Handguns, rifles and sho'guns - used for hunting everything from varmints to big game - too often wind up hunting the hunter. And the accuracy of those weapons isn't surprising when you recall the range is point-blanAs for the approximatly 1.000 hunters who succeed in shooting themselves each year, they couldn't do a better job if they dressed up in a deer costume on the opening day of the season. How can you keep from becoming a one-mafiring squad with you as the target? The accompanying list of firearm precautions represents the experienced consensus of all organizations concerned with hunting safety. g Read it. Then read it again. Make it a part of you and your family. Even if you're an experienced hunter, you owe it to yourself - and anvone else within range of your weapon - to review those safeguards. Remember: According to NRA statistics, nearly 75 per ten! of all victims "had hunted in three or more previous years!" three-fourth- -- 1 else. Traveling - Always unload and case any gun you carry in a on carrying a gun car or boat. Be sure to check your state law in a vehicle. and cleaning - The "Every gun is loaded" rule applies here, too. Even though you're concentrating on those functions, remain conscious of the muzzle's direction. If you're approached bv a game warden or property owner, break the gun or open the action. Always unload before entering camp, cabin or house. Tripping and falling - Never run with a gun, jump a ditch or climb a tree - unless you can control the muzzle's direction if you do stumble. Triggers-- - When not in use, trigger locks are a good idea. In use, keep the safety on and your finger outside the trigger guard until you're ready to fire. Avoid branches or other objects that can snag a trigger. (A safety is only a mechanical device; don't depend on it) Handguns - Keep them out of your hand and in a holster until holsters protect against you're ready to use them. Hold-dowSingle-actio- n should always be carried with pistols dropping. the hammer down on an empty chamber. Some automatics are equipped with a magazine safety that prevents the gun from being fired when the clip is remove- d- solving the problem of a cartridge forgotten in the chamber (the French call it la cartrouche tragique) Plugged bore - Keep the bore free of dangerous obstructions. To make sure, check it before loading and frequently while hunting, especially if the weapon has been dropped. Ammunition - Keep it away from fires, stoves and heaters. Double-checthe gauge of a shotgun shells and the caliber of in cartridges A wrongsize can blow up a gun and breech-fir- e your face How about a drink? - Never before or during hunting. Loading, unloading -- -- n k. n -- life-savin- k -- Mafc o l.t. Col. I).iid I.. Steed checklist helps whenever you go out into the woods. hilK or mountains. A Obviously only certain items apply to certain types of outings but the Ogden A MA Safety Offier recommend that ;i ( hffkii:-- t is used As yon l'.iiii exff Tifnce you can add n to make it mon r. r.uisngful to your type of tivities Areas that can e.vjsp you prorlems include falls, sharp tools, water, fire, poisonous plants, poisonous reptiles climbing, vehicle traffic, and getting lost Eliminate or avoid these dangers by: Planning. Make checklist of items needed Include first aid kits, flashlights and extra batteries, snake and insect bite kits, foods which don't spoil quickly, sun and wind burn ointments, and rain shelter. w Briefing. Tell someone here you're going, even if it's only for an afternoon hike. If going to a remote area, arrange for notification of extreme weather warnings or carry a radio dress. Sturdy walking shoes and heavy socks are advisable to prevent blisters. High leather boots Proper is Stick to hiking trails or have a guide. in depressions where flash floods might occur. Use toxic or flammable fuels and liquids only in ventilated areas. Air sleeping bans, thoroughly after use of leanini! fluids Aoid heat stroke km i1 If hot but vou If your stop seek shade and water. ou taineering are the tpe. pr-"pinn- moun- special care should Ik taken. Keep away from overhanging ledges and rocks which could cause a serious fall Don't explore abandoned mines: not only is this a dangerous practice, but Hunting season is here, winter has almost arrived, and a lot of recreational vehicle owners are getting ready for that last big trip of the year. Camper special III is Wednesday "Now. more than ever, proper camper safety practices could literally mean the difference between life and death." stated Capl. Gary W. Blome arms with loose fitting blankets are carried. monoxide posor,ir.g country. Protect in Ug snke and clothing if hiking in the wilderness. If Ihe outing is by aufo insure warm clothing or Also: also in violation of the law many states. is POISON IVY: Can be found in all but the southwestern corner of the United States. Identified by clusters of three glossy leaves in the form of shrub or vine. Some clusters turn from green to golden brown in the summer. POISON OAK. Commonly as a shrub Prevalent in southwestern United States, but it may be found in other Mates Leaves grow in clusters similar to poison ivy except for more pronounced serrations POISON SUMAC. Grows as a woody shrub w it h a furry coat. Vanes in height to 20 feet. grow s "Don't statistic. vourself stranded in the boondocks by the failure of an easily replaceable part. "Don't overload your suspension or tires. "Do bring your camper -fully provisioned, if possible -to the truck scales in front of the Salvage Yard at Building 890 between 2:30 and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, afternoon. "Safety Office personnel will provide your vehicle's accurate gross weight, plus tire loading data, camper safety checklist, and a quick inspection of vital vehicle components. "Ground rules for Camper Special III are identical to those of Camper Specials I and II. The program is open to all Hill AFB military and 'We I know mainly east of the Mississippi River. Also called Poison Elder. Poison Ash. Dogwood, or that many of you are hunters and will soon be heading into the hills for deer and various other things. Since we really can't afford to lose any of you, I simply want to remind you to exercise special care this year. With the food situation being what it is. many more hunters will be in the field this year than in previous ones. A lot of these hunters will be and many inexperienced, of them will be more intense than usual about bagging a deer. Almost 10.000 more elk permits were sold in Utah this year than last. The figures for deer hunters are not available yet, but I think you can see the trend. The Division ot Wildlife Resources says that the sale of licenses is running much higher than Found Poison really can'i afford fo lose any of you' normal. A -- FIRST AH). Wash the exposed area with soap and water, then sponge with alcohol. Apply phenolated and metholated calamine lotion. If increased discomfort con- tinues, seek medical aid. Finally, if your friends or family members are overdue from an outing contact the Sherriffs office who in turn will take appropriate action up to and including the activation of the Jeep patrol or other rescue units. d heart attacks. I can't caution you strongly enough to avoid the kind of that over-exertio- n frequently brings about an attack. It 's a bit late to make any great change in your condition before physical the hunt. However, you should take a very objective look at yourself and then carefully gauge your own physical resources. number of people suffered heart attacks in the hills last year. I hope A none of you will be victims that kind of tragedy this year - so conserve your of -- energy. Brig. Gen. James P. Muilins. Ogden AM A vice -- - commander SPORTS SHORTS r . V. S-- ?S Golf First place position in the Hill AFB golf course scramble on Sept. 2?) was shared by the teams composed of Lou Bonomo. Fernando Guillen. G. and Ruth Dunkley Filipowizic; Willard Kelly. Ted Preston. J. Todd and Dot tie Dean. Posting a score of 8 under for second place were teams of Lloyd Fisher. Charlie Rowc, B. Mc Bride, Glenna Buelo and Jim McGce; C. Martin. Elmer Clark and Kay Anderson. civilian personnel. "Participants Last year, there were 23 accidents in the field. I can't imagine that there will be fewer this year. Another source of of course, is problems, gun-relate- Thun-derwoo- Safety office sets camper special "At the very least, sensible planning and a thorough knowledge of the capabilities of your pickup camper will rrrtamly result in a happier, more trouble free trip "Don't become a carbon fe preferable it in Aoid resting or camping ' Q O O Every gun is loaded - That maxim is as old as a muzzle loader but it's a healthy assumption, even if it isn't always true. Once you assume every gun is loaded, you'll treat every -gun with the respect you reserve for one you know is loaded in the from it which means you'll keep pointed away anyone area (including yourself). Never point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot., Crossing fences - Don't prop your gun against a fence or anything else; it can fall into dirt or snow or accidentally discharge. Break the gun or open the action. Then hold it firmly in one hand while you cross the obstacle. With a companion, take turns holding both weapons while the other crosses. A club it's not - Guns are for shooting, not clubbing wounded prey or poking in bushes to flush your quarry. Use something Compiled by Lt. Col. D. L. Steed. Ogden AM A Safety Office It isn't easy. But somehow, every year, about a thousand hunters manage to wind up in their own sights and get shot by their own guns, often fatally. According to the National Rifle Association, hunting accidents involving firearms claim almost 3,000 casualties and of those are nually and, on the average, roughly one-thir- Dn incur no obligations and will not be required to take any follow up action. Just come on out and see how your rig stacks up. Then do what you can to make your next camper trip safe and enjoyable." A Eight teams posted 8 under and shared third place. They w ere composed of J. P. Lynch. M. Buttell. I). Young and Aloha Northam; Bob Greene. F. Milwer. H. Mitchell and M. Smith; Charlie Hansen, F. Montgomery, J R. Peay and Elaine Ward; Joe Laurella, Gunn. Dcmar Dewey Rasmussen and Nancy-Stewart- ; Ev Nichols, M. Poll. George Sapier and P. Crooks; Ix?Roy Porter, Dick Frandsen, Clyde Myres and Marge Benge; Charles Nesossis. Bob Caldwell. Glenn Sutherland and Kaye BJanchard; Ron Cornford. Wayne Cashmore, Ixonard Dean and Charlenc Preston Three players came closest to the pin on boles .1 and 17. They were I.uis Miller. Betty Bollinger and Delma Hoggp. Tony-Madonn- The Hill AFB golf council will conduct a Scramble Tournament on Oct. 27. The tournament is open to all club members, other military and civilian personnel of Hill AFB and dependents. Entry fee of $5 must be paid at the time of registration. Registration will close at noon, Oct. 24. All of the base will be to required pay green fees in addition to the entry fee. This is the last tournament of the season. tion-membe- rs TAGS The closing social for the 1973 golf season of the TAGS (Tuesday Afternoon Girls Society) was held at the Golf Annex. Trophies for the season play-off- s were awarded to Betty Redden, Championship Flight, and Coke Sypes, TAGS Might. Election of officers for the 1974 season was held. New officers are Kay Limb, Elaine Lay, president; Dot tie Poulk. vice president; Marion Stocking, secretary; tournament chairman; Thora Phillips, prizes; Vcrla Minton. publicity and social; Coke Sypes, Irene handicap; Allred. leg match: Jeannie Freestone, team captain, and Peggy state George. representative. (more page 21 |