Wednesday, March 26, 2003
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Wednesday, March 26, 2003 |
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Hunters encouraged to review safety tips before hunting gobblers Before gearing up and heading out this spring in pursuit of the elusive wild turkey, hunters are encouraged to review and abide by all safety tips, reminds the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Hunters should know their skill level, make careful preparations of supplies and review safety tips before the season opens Saturday, March 22. "It is of utmost importance that hunters know what will keep them and others in the woods safe," says WRD State Hunter Safety Coordinator Capt. James Bell. "Hunters should always make sure they identify their target before pulling the trigger and never shoot at sound or movement." While reported incidents during wild turkey season remain low it is still important to use the following safety strategies: · Know the range of the gun and the load. Time should be spent before hunting season testing various loads at different distances. · Scout the terrain to be hunted. Become familiar with the area and make sure you have permission to hunt on the property. Always be 100 percent certain of the target before pulling the trigger. Never shoot at sound or movement. Identify your target and make a clean shot. Never wear red, white, blue or black clothing when turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for to distinguish a gobbler's head from a hen's blue-colored head. Male turkey feathers and the top of a male's head are black and white. Camouflage should be used to cover everything, including the hunter's face, hands and firearm. Select a calling position, such as the base of a tree that provides at least a shoulder-width background. Make sure at least a 180-degree range can be seen. Do not stalk a gobbling turkey - he has keen eyesight and hearing and the chances of getting close are slim, however, a moving hunter following a gobbling turkey has an increased chance of being mistaken for game. Be careful using a turkey call. The sound and motion may attract other hunters. Do not move, wave or make turkey-like sounds to alert another hunter to your presence. Yell in a loud voice so that the other hunter knows you are in the area. Be careful when carrying a harvested turkey from the woods. Do not allow the wings to hang loosely or the head to be displayed in such a way that another hunter may think it is a live bird. If possible, conceal the turkey in a blaze orange garment or other material. Hunters always should wear blaze orange when moving to and from their vehicle and hunting site. Also, anytime a hunter is moving between hunting sites they should have blaze orange on their upper bodies to lessen the chances of being mistaken for game. Wild turkey hunters must possess a valid hunting license and a big game license to legally hunt turkeys in Georgia. If hunting on a wildlife management area (WMA), hunters also should possess a WMA license. Sportsmen and women always should be sure to get permission from the landowner before hunting on private land. Only male turkeys may be harvested and the season bag limit is three gobblers. WRD also reminds hunters that the 2002-2003 hunting licenses expire at the end of March and they should purchase a new license before hunting in April and May. For more information on turkey hunting safety, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact the nearest WRD Law Enforcement Office or call 770-784-3068.
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