PAGE 10 Your oul hunting. Ws early afternoon, a Sunday, the sky gray and overcast, the promise of rain thick in the autumn air. You prow] Lhe woods looking for your quarry, you were ‘skunked’ last year, this time around you're determined to get that big buck. You're been following the trail for an hour now, you reckon them to be an hour old and you’re eager. ‘Ahead the brush is in motion, suddenly, theair is rent with the explosion of broken branches. You raise the rifle to your shoulder, squinting down the length of the barrel. A flash of motion ahead, your shot rings uut and -- congratulations, you've just shot a hunter on the trail of ‘your’ deer. Sound unreasonable? ‘Can't happen, you say, ‘I’ve been hunting for five years now, never shut a thing’, But it can and does happen every year where an anxious hunter doesn't take his time, doesn’t use a little bit of common sense. There’s something you can do about it. You can make the wouds a good place to hunt. Instead of more dangerous than down-town New York. By taking a liltle time, you can become the safest hunter in the waods and, as ‘an added bonus, get your animal without one wasted bullel. By learning the basies of safe gun handling, your responsibilities in the woods, hunting safety and courlesy and following the rules you learn, you can get your animaland get out of the woods alive and freé of a man- slaughter charge. CODE OF ETHICS FOR HUNTERS Yes, there is such a thing as a code of ethics, a list of cour- tesies ty follow in the woods to protect yourself and the rest of your hunting party. Here they . are as layed down by the B.C. Department of Recreation and Conservation in the Hunter Training Program manual. 1. Obey ali the game laws. If you're nol sure about them get a copy of the regulalions and study them. 2. Be careful with your gun (See below) 3. Do your share of the work, 4. Voice appreciation of the good shots your companions muke, but do not buast of your own. a. Don't be selfish. Give the olher mana chance to get in wis share of the shols. This may require some patience if he is slower (han yourself, but it make for good companionship and safer hunting. 6 Never shoal across your hunting partner, 7. Do not setle down for shooting ina marsh or field less than 200 yards form the nearest hunter, and do not intrude on the range ever which he will be shooting, even if it entails you moving io a greater distance. 4. In the field, when a flight of peese or ducks is expected from a quarter for instance -- North, always place your pil to either East or West of already established hunters. 9.-If you wound a bird or animal take plenty of time make every effart to find ‘it, Improve yuur marksmanship, so yor will make more clean kis. “It is a crime and the worst kind of sportsmanship to let 8 wounded animal get away. Beller to spend an hour lo recover one such animal (han to - abandon it for a chance to killa few more.’ 10. When meeting a hunter,’ open your gun so that you know it Is safe andso that he may see that it is safe. 11, When gointo into a farm- yard, unload your gun. Whenever possible ask for and make very effort to find it. property and don’t forget to return and thank your host. Usually there is an opportunity to leave a brace of birds or some, other token. Many happy and Hfe-long friendships have’ been established this way. 12. Take care of your game. We owe it to these beautifil and animals we chase lo birds and animals we chase to preserve their beauty as much both for the sake of appearance and for edibility 13. Disposal of game. Never be wasteful of birds or animals, be generous in giving them‘ away, bul don’! go hunting just to kill. 14. Respect the other man's dog. 15. Respect all farm animals and properly. 6. Do not willingly do anything that would spoil the good shooting of another hunter. 17. Be a gentleman. | 18, Never shoot over the head of a companion. 19. Do not lean a loaded gun against a lree, stump or building. A dog or someone might bump the gun knocking the safety off and triggering it. 20. Always unload a gun before putling it in your car, in’ the house, or before going inlo- camp. As well as the twenly-poinl, Code of Ethies there are certain rules thal must be followed before you can earn the right lo be called 4 true sporlsman. These are: Protect and respect the rights of others. Ask for permission to hunt on private lands. Refrain from shooting too close to any building. Report those who damage farm or private jands, Protect the property of another person at all limes. Comply with all regulations. Prevent hunting accidents. Learn to recognize the pulential cireumstances that can lead to tragedy and avert .hem. Don't camp near a watering- hole Don't leave bottles or open cans laying around, they are dangerous to humans as weil as animals and can start forest fires. ; Don't shoot unless you clearly see and are sure of what your _ Shooting at. It may be acow ora: man Don't shoot wildlife discrimanently. Remember hawks, owls and eagles are protected under the Wildlife Act. Don't approach cattle on foot obtaining andreading {he Game Regulations. Don't enter a boat or car wilh a loaded fire-arm Don’t drink if you're hunting and don’t hunt if you’re drinking. Report all infractions of the’ law. Don't walk over or across seeded land or growing crops. Leave all camp sites clean. in- By following the above guidelines, you can establish yourself wilh the reputation of being a dependable man to have along on a hunt. You also will not have to worry about shooting anything you didn't set out to hunt for, such as your best friend.* YOUR GUNAND SAFE HANDLING Before any lunt there are several duties you have lo preform to make sure your gun is in Lop condition and is at the mest efficient level of safety. Make sure your gun is clean and the barrel is unobstructed, and if possible oblain a case for your weapon, When travelling ina public vehicle or even in the privacy of your own car, make sure the gun is cased or broken down and wrapped. Always choose your ammunition carefully taking into con- sideralion what you are hun- ting. Remember, safety mechanisms on guns have been noted to fail, do not rely entirely upon them. Unloaded guns are the safest guns and make sure, even when unloaded that they are not pointed at the guy on the seat beside you. On arrival al your hunting site continue to keep your gun's breech empty. When ap- proaching a car always unload your gun, preferrably thirty or forty feet from the vehicle with the barrel pointed at the ground or the sky. Always check lo make sure any gun you pick up is empty. How many times have youheard of peoplesighting down the barre] of a gun and squeezing the trigger only lo find out it was loaded? Take care of your gun, never leaving it where it can be trampled or run over, what good is weeks of preparation for a big hunt if you ruin your gun on arrival? H hunting from a canoe make sure the guns are pointed in opposite directions, that your footing is secure, the canoe is firmly tied and your gun unloaded until you near the hunting grounds. When your tramping through the woods be exira careful, a twig may catch your trigger or a branch may swing your muzzle ‘around, wilh disasterous results. When you're going through a fence, pass the gun lhrough first, with the safety on. When unloading your weapon point it either at the ground or the sky, aimed several feet ahead of you. When you meet another hunter in the forest, emply the breech of your gun, and when shooting take your time and identify what you are shooling at before squeezing the trigger. When shooting from a pit always put the gun first, carefully and when leaving the pit, the gun goes out first. Always make sure your barrel is free of dirt and snow. Afler a days shoot, unload your gun, clean it thoroughly and put it in a safe unobtrusive place, with (he barrel pointing away from your camp. Big game hunters” should ‘make sure their gun is ac- euralely sighted in before and during the hunt. Never fire on an animal until you can see the full oulline, including the head. Never shoot at a building or cabin in the woods and becareful when trekking over rocky surfaces. And for all hunters, be sure to wear bright, visible colored clothing. There are no wild animals that comes in Day-Gle orange so you can feel safe when properly-dressed for the hunt, NO-NOs!! Il is iNegal to use any swivel, set gun, machine gun, or bat- tery, or any gun larger than a 10° guage, or pump or automatic © shoilgun without a plug -- (magazine to hold two shells). t is illegal to hunt between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, or during any prohibited time or period mentioned in the Game Act, It is illegal to carry loaded firearms in or discharse same from an automobile or other vehicle either on or off the high- way. It is illegal to have in your possesion, place or set poison for the taking or killing of any game. It is illegal to use pil-lamps or lights of any kind te hunt game. Il is Wegal to hunt game from an aireraft. ; scstcctoseccocososeccosoosesessecesoesoe -Omineca Flying ‘Schoo! BOX a10 TERRACE Ltd. _ THE HERALD, TERRACE, B.C. It is illegal to use any other persons licence for hunting and totransfer or loan your licence to others. It is illegal to remove all evidence of sex from deer or mountain sheep except, (a) at (he place where the carcass is to be consumer; (b) during the open season on both species. It is Wlegal to angle for fish in nen-tidal waters with out a’ permit or to take badger, beaver, fisher, lynx, marten, mink, muskrat, otler, squirrel or weasel without holding a (rapper's licence. The licence you own can be cancelled if you violate the Wildlife Acl, Obtain a copy of the game regulations and read it thoroughly to avoid losing your licence. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (of safe gun handling) 1. Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun. This is the first and most important rule of gun safety. 2. Guns carried into camp of HOW TO WIN AT DUCKS HERE'S THE ANSWER to some problems: what to do when & field is flooded and you want to wipe the eye of other hunters. home, or when otherwise not in use, must always be unloaded and broken down or have their actions opened; guns should always be carried in cases to the hunting areas. 3. ‘Always be sure barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have ammunition only the proper size for-the gun you are carrying. Remove oil and grease from the chamber before firing. 4, Always carry your gun so that you can contro] the direction of the muzzle, even if you stumble; keep the safety on until you are ready to ‘shoot. 5, Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger know the identifying features of the game you inlend to hunt. 6. Never point a gunat anything you don’t want to shoot; avoid all horse-play while handling a gun 7. Unallended guns should be unloaded; guns and am- munition should be stored separately beyond the reach of children and careless adults. Grass in a lightweight boat you can carry from your car to the puddle, and sit out where the ducks are, This a Sportyak, which weight less than a sack of decoys and just can’t be sunk or overturned. It’s molded plastic and the grass (brace your- self) is rice thatch from Hawali, bought in Edmonton! INSIDE, there's lots of room for even two hunters -- if they take turns on shots. Boats are very popular on B.C, coast with everyone from commercial fishermen to yachtsmen. Editor of this supplement got the idea of painting hull dark brown and rigging up duck punt style, He'll tel you where to getone if you ask a Never climb a tree or fence or jump a ditch with a loaded gun; never pull-a gun toward you by the muzzle, 9. Never shoot a bullet at a flat, — hard surface or the surface of . water; when target shooting be sure your back-stop - is adequate.. - 10. “Avold alcohol . before and during shoe‘ ing. The key tu all good hunting is self-control. You must all times | bein contro! of your actions and your gun, otherwise you'll. be blasting away at the slightest noise or movernent, Self-control requires practice and the only way you can practise is while hunting, Follow the rules and common sense, keep the.safety on and your finger outside ‘the trigger guard, never shoot over the rise of a hill, always know what is in front and behind your target, don’t shoot over live-stock, these and many more common ‘senserules will make you a safe top natch sportsman. SPORTSMEN'S: i 2 _ RESPONSIBILITIES no real pressures or respon- sibilities. Ah, but there. are . responsibilities; to yourself the. land, and athers. Before you leave on a bunt there are several things to consider, When did you have your last check-up? Are you in good physical condition? For’ good . comfortable hunting, make sure all your new clothing and especially your boots are broken in and field checked. Also check your supplies. Keep a list of what you are planning to take and check your supplies off against the list, Otherwise _ you wind up a hundred miles from home trying Lo start a fire with two slicks, Make sure you have matches (water-proofed Angling BARGAIN?? 4 misplace rself) anda map of § the area in'the case where you are Not familiar with the area. This is the lite - isn’t ‘itt 2 Tramping the woods, care-rée -¥ou are responsible for youl gun and equipment, You have to {4 keep it clean and in top firlng order. Get to know your gun and 4} be aware if anything has gone'tf - wrong with it since the last time’ out. Make gure it is sighted int properly on a firing range. }Bim Nothing ‘is. more - frustrating: than firing at Grand-daddy |iE Moose and missing by five feet, Be familiar with the en-jf vironment you are going iato\ and learn the habits of the game Don’t use your scope on your! rifle to observe other hunters o: the nudist colony in the valley.{9 Above all be prepared for anything, you are in direel} ‘ : competition with. several hundred other hunters. Be courteous and safe; the two edt you're after. . - pe : and | in hand. for a. West End Store | HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED - FOR HUNTING AND FISHING. Ammunition and all other types of hunting supplies 7 eat ace _ Sane nga pr eure ieee seemless FOR THE CAMPER, WE HAVE » Coin Laundry | Showers . Waste station Party & Block Ice “Eresh meat cut to order Open 7 days ‘a week | + 4:30 AM ~ 11.PM FISHING AND HUNTING LICENCES |. WEST END STORE Highway 16 W. Phone 635-5274 ae —— 5 Your Ruger Dealer MODEL 77 AND MODEL 77 MAGNUM BOLT ACTION RIFLE WE ALSO HAVE A GOOD SELECTION OF a 71 MM MAGNUM, — 30-06, 270, 300. WIN 30-06 -7 MM $20 Good solection of Bushnell ‘Binoculars _ Bo we uating. Meonco & baal veltable | FOR THE TERRACE AREA HUSQVARNA RIFLES || 9° to $285" Complet stock of recording accessories & Components - —BEST SELECTION OF RIFLES. IN THE (NORTHWEST- Come ‘in and see the staff. Let. them: show: you. how economical: a is: to. get started 7 _and see quality arms by: Schultz & Larsen, Brno, ‘Winchester, Parker-Hale,. | Savage, Weatherby, Browning, Cooey,- Mossberg, Remington: “and ci Good selaction ‘of 22. Rifles. Complete stock. of ammo. - All makes, all calibors!