Ottawa National Forest shares hunting safety tips as deer rifle season opens

As hunters take off for a weekend in the woods, the Ottawa National Forest encourages safety for deer rifle season.

The US Forest Service reminds hunters to not discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a developed recreation area, building, or occupied area. Nor should hunters discharge a firearm across or on a forest development road, body of water, or where any person or property is exposed to damage.

All hunters during rifle season need to wear hunter’s blaze orange and be visible from all directions.

Treat every firearm as if loaded, even when not, and keep the barrel of the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Know what you are shooting at, and what is beyond the target.

Inform individuals, such as friends or family of your hunting plans, and leave behind a note marking when you plan to leave, where you will be hunting, and an estimated time you plan to return from the hunt. Respect all wildlife and the forest, and practice leave no trace principles. In the national forest, hunters may keep a blind in place until January 1st.

Anyone interested in learning more hunting safety tips from the Ottawa National Forest can find more details here.