This is about as critical time of the year as it gets when it comes to hunting for birds and game alike in the Sportsman’s Paradise. That’s why it’s so important to emphasize practicing and promoting firearm safety.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation realizes hunters in the country are focused on hunting as midwinter approaches. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries joins with the NSSF to remind all outdoorsmen that huntersafety is one of the hunting traditions in America.
“This is a time of year when a lot of firearms are in use and in transport. We want everyonewho enjoys hunting opportunities in Louisiana to know that materials and resources are available to provideeducation and important reminders about howto be safe with their firearms in the field, on the range, at home and everywhere in between,” Fred Kimmel, the LDWF’s education program manager, said last week.
The NSSF and LDWF tout the former’s campaign that began in 1998. “The Hunt isn’t Over Until You Are S.A.F.E.” is part of the Project ChildSafe program. The acronym stands for Secure your firearms when not in use; be Aware of those around you who should not have unauthorized access to firearms; Focus on your responsibility as a gun owner, and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage. Project ChildSafe emphasizes securing firearms safely when they are not in use.
For more information on hunter safety, go to www.projectchildsafe.org for tips and guideline on safe firearm handling, an infographic with guidelines on firearm storage options and information on where to get a free firearm safety kit, including a cable-style gun lock.
NSSF CEO Steve Sanetti said he appreciates the state agency’s effort to promote the campaign.
“We’re very thankful top have the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries help in getting this information out to hunters. We want to help everyone hunt responsibly,” Sanetti said.
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Apparently, our state conservation agency is seeing too many reports of black panthers, particularly in northwest Louisiana.
The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is trying to debunk the reported sightings of large cats, both brown and black, noting that a social media has played a role in the hoaxes and rumors.
For example, a photo of a black leopardpurportedly from a game camera has circulated in the region for two weeks. The same photo was posted on wildlife forums and Facebook in Tennessee (Nov. 8), North Carolina (Oct. 22 and Georgia(Oct. 1), according to the LDWF. Where did it originate? Africa, the state agency said.
Also, no claim of a black cat of any variety has been authenticated in Louisiana.
DON SHOOPMANis outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.