Show HOW T S H 0 T by bob nichols L shootings Shoot shoo tins editor field and str tn aa i EVERT V INVY year in the united states when the hunting season rolls roll around more ciora than healthy boys and robust men take to the field gun in hand reports of hunting accidents begin drifting in to the tha newspapers some come back blinded by a careless load 0 of shot from a friends gun others come back with hands and arms and legs blown off some never get back alive the pity of the whole bloody business Is that hat there was almost never a hunting accident yet that caused by y needless foolish carelessness the only plausible plan s ible excuse for the accident might be where a hunter faints la in the field and falls on the muzzle of his gun all other accidents are inexcusable escusa excusa ble so tar far as I 1 can remember I 1 haya have never yet met a really good shot who was careless with his gun loaded or unloaded every good shot knows that once or twice during his life his gunbay gun may go off unexpectedly iles hes always ready for it when it happens ills his accidentally let off load plows harmlessly into the ground or up into the me air where it can hurt no one merely from the practical standpoint it Is 1 smart to be careful with your pun gun you will be invited on enjoyable and successful hunting parties much more ofte often m where the careless man with a pin gun never gets a second invitation careless gun handling Is simply bad shooting manners you make everybody near you nervous and uneasy you tou get yourself disliked real sportsmen have nothing but anger and contempt tor for you be careful and gentlemanly in your gun handling hn and you will have much more pleasure hunting have more good friends and important point you may live longer never keep a shotgun loaded about the house bouse never leave shells where childish hands can all slip p then them into the gun never point an empty gun at anything you do not wish to KILL when loading your gun in the field never slip the shells in until you have looked through the barrel to see that there Is not a bit of cleaning rag or other obstruction obstruction in the barrel will burst your gun on firing it if you should tall fall in the field again open your gun and look through the barrel you may have filled the muzzle with mud or snow either of which will burst the gun on firing never cross a fence with your gun cocked or with the safety off put your gun through the fence muzzle first and lay it on the ground never stand it up against the fence you may jar it down as you clamber over hundreds of careless gunners have crossed fences and the great divide at the same time through that act when then you meet friends or strangers ers la in the field and stop to chat and pass the time of day break your gun if it Is a double barrel let the other man see that it Is safe other e r types of guns shove the safety on n and let the friend or stranger see you do it this Is only careful courtesy never got get into a car with a loaded gun never load your gun while still in your car never permit anyone else to have a loaded shotgun in the car you are in never shoot heavy loads la in an old gun that was manufactured long before the modern high pressure loads were invented to do so may result in having your hand or face torn oft off consult your local gun dealer about what loads your gun will stand ue he should be able to tell you never shoot at game on a level through brush that you cant see sea beyond your partner or another hunter may be there think before you shoot you have more time than you imagine never hesitate to call another gunner down tor for carelessness call him down hard every real sportsman will applaud you be care careful full 1 never be a good shot until youre a CAREFUL shot 0 western newspaper union |