HUNTING -- Bear with me. I'm going to tell you something you probably already know.

But as volunteers at the area rifle sight-in days tell me year after year, you can't believe how many veteran hunters violate the basics of safe gun handling.  I know you're not one of them, but humor me... read this anyway.

Hunter Education Instructors stress several safe gun handling basics in their classes. Knowing that many hunters completed the course a long time ago, it makes sense to revisit the lessons -- and share them with your family and hunting buddies.

• Always control the muzzle of your firearm. As long as the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, nobody can get hurt in the case of a mishap.
• Be certain of your target and what is beyond it. A safe hunter never shoots at sound or movement. 
• Wear hunter orange.  It's required in Washington. Idaho is one of few states where hunter orange is not required.  But it's still a good idea there as well as anywhere else where it's proved to reduce "mistaken for game" hunting accidents while having little or no impact on modern rifle or upland bird hunting success.
• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, whether it's in your hands or someone else's.
• Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions and that you are carrying only the correct ammunition for your firearm.
• Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.  Carry binoculars to check out the hillside. Never look through your scope at something you cannot identify.
• Hand your firearm to a friend or slide it under when you cross a fence.
• Store firearms and ammunition separately and never put a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
• Alcohol and guns don’t ever belong together.

Please be safe in the field and be strong enough to let your hunting partners know when you think they are putting themselves or others at risk.