Small and big game hunting seasons are opening across the province. With that, the Ontario Conservation Officers Association is asking hunters to make every hunt a safe hunt.
The Association says many of its officers will be in fields this year to inspect hunters and ensure safety.
The OCOA reminds hunters to remember the ACTS and PROVE acronyms. They’re as follows:
-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; and PROVE it safe
–Point the firearm in the safest available direction
–Remove all ammunition
–Observe the chamber
–Verify the feeding path
–Examine the bore
“I want to wish everyone an enjoyable, successful and safe hunt,” says OCOA President Derek Hebner. “Fall is a beautiful time to enjoy everything that Ontario’s outdoors have to offer but the most important thing is to make it home safe at the end of the day.”
Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related offence is encouraged to call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry violation reporting line at 1-877-847-7667, contact their local Conservation Officer directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).