Hunting this season? Here’s some safety reminders from the OPP

Journal staff The Ontario Provincial Police are reminding area hunters about personal and public safety as they venture into the woods this hunting season.

Journal staff

The Ontario Provincial Police are reminding area hunters about personal and public safety as they venture into the woods this hunting season.

“This reminder comes after an errant round struck a home on River Road in Cayuga on November 10, 2023,” a news release from the West Region headquarters stated. “There were no injuries. The Ministry of Natural Resources is investigating.”

Here are a series of tips aimed at keeping everyone safe:

Hunting Safety Rules:

• Handle firearms with car e and attention at all times.
• Hunters must never shoot unless they are absolutely sure of their target and what lies beyond it.
• It is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road in any part of the province.
• It is illegal to have a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle, including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
• Firearms must be unloaded and encased (enclosed on all 6 sides) from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
• If you hunt from a tree stand, always wear a safety harness, and use a rope to raise and lower your firearm.

General Safety:

• Tell someone where you will be hunting and when you will be returning.
• Know the weather conditions in your hunting area, and dress accordingly.

A handy, downloadable guide on provincial hunting regulations and open season dates can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/files/2023-05/mnrf-2023-hunting-regulations-summary-en-2023-05-03.pdf. .