The Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) is reminding all hunting enthusiasts to have a safe hunting season.
Small game and deer hunting seasons are now in full swing across the province. With that in mind, there are two acronyms used by the OCOA to help all those who enjoy the hunting season to do so safely. Firstly, ACTS, which stands for:
-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
Secondly, the acronym PROVE stands for:
- Point the firearm in the safest available direction
- Remove all ammunition
- Observe the chamber
- Verify the feeding path
- Examine the bore
Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related offence is encouraged to call the Ministry of Natural Resources violation reporting line at 1-877-847-7667 or contact their local Conservation Officer directly.
"I would like to remind all hunters planning to head out into the field this fall to make safe hunting a top priority," said OCOA President Bill Ingham, "Wear hunter orange, always handle firearms safely and responsibly and respect landowners and other hunters while you are out in the field enjoying our beautiful natural resources."
