Hunters should stay safe in outdoors

By James L. Cummins

Special to The Messenger



It's that time of year that we take to the fields, woodlands, and waters not only to experience the excitement of hunting, but also to enjoy the beauty of Mississippi's outdoors. The increasing criticism of today's hunting problems points directly at the misuse of the privilege of hunting. Tomorrow's privileges may rely on our ability to correct such misuse through education and example. Hunter education is a step in the right direction.

Mississippi's hunter education programs promote responsible, ethical conduct, emphasize the importance of wildlife management, and encourage the safe handling of firearms and ammunition. Students of hunter education courses develop a better understanding of their responsibilities to the wildlife resource, the landowner, other hunters, and themselves. In addition, statistics prove that the number of hunting accidents is significantly lower for individuals who have completed a hunter education course.

In 1988, a law was passed by the Mississippi Legislature that requires all persons born on or after January 1, 1972, to complete a hunter education course prior to purchasing a hunting license.

A course in hunter education provides one with many facts about hunting such as hunter ethics and responsibility, the history of firearms, firearms handling and safety, accident