Now that recreational marijuana is in full swing, the Ontario Conservation Officers Association is reminding you to hunt safe and sober.
The association says handling a firearm is very serious and being safe can’t be stressed enough. It says that impairment of any kind, whether it’s alcohol or any kind of drug, can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
The OCOA is also reminding hunters of the acronyms ACTS and PROVE meaning:
– 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
Association President Sean Cronsberry says by being safe, he is hoping everyone has an enjoyable and successful hunting season. He adds that anyone with information about public safety offences while hunting should report it to the MNRF reporting line at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).