Category: Uncategorized

By: Todd Roggenkamp
Assistant Director of Education for Safari Club International Foundation

With the rapid technology advancements in the 21st century there has been a shift in the US population’s life experiences.  We’ve gone from a time when manual labor was required for almost every aspect of life to one of an automated and interconnected world.  We no longer have to rely as much on fulfilling basic human needs for food and survival. This in turn has impacted societal values on how animals, including wildlife, are viewed.

Historically, most people held “traditionalist” or “utilitarian” values for wildlife, based on the belief that animals were a commodity for the benefit of people – primarily as a food source.  Nowadays, most of our food is farmed, and we have fast-food joints on every corner or order food from an app. We’ve largely lost the connection we used to have with wildlife as a critical element of our own survival.

That loss of connection extends into our wild “places” too, where the habitat necessary for wildlife to thrive has been replaced by structures and manicured parks, and fewer people have access to the truly wild places in our country. That pushes wildlife even further away and widens the disconnection.

A recent study America’s Wildlife Values Project is the first of its kind to describe how US residents within all 50 states think about wildlife. The study showed that in just the last 12-14 years there has been a shift in wildlife values, reflecting an increase in people viewing wildlife as part of their extended social network.  They view wildlife as their extended family or friends, deserving caring and rights like humans. This is in contrast with a decrease in traditional utilitarian values where wildlife is utilized for the benefit of humans

The good news is that common ground does emerge from these disparate views, and that common ground is “conservation.”  We all want to see wildlife thriving today and in the future, and the hunting community plays a vital role in that.

Most people don’t know that since the late 19^th century hunting has made substantial contributions to conservation, including bringing species back from the brink of extinction and reintroducing them to their native areas — like the reintroduction of wood bison in Alaska. Hunters have and continue to put wildlife first by supporting the overwhelming financial burden of conservation work. Important vehicles to financially support conservation like the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman Robertson Act), the Federal Duck Stamp program, licenses, permits, tags and hunting-focused conservation organizations like Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) are committed to spending dollars supporting conservation.

As an example, nearly $25 billion has been collected to use in conservation efforts since the inception of the Pittman Robertson Act weas passed in 1937. The Federal Duck Stamp program has provided an additional $800 million to directly support the purchase of more than six million acres for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Although this does not encompass all the funds that are raised for conservation, it does give a good picture of how much conservation efforts are supported through hunting.

Past efforts to educate the public on these successes have focused on creating awareness of how conservation funding has helped increase wildlife populations and habitat. However, knowing that the perspective of the public’s value of wildlife has changed, it is important to recognize the role of  past and present conservation funding to a variety of other conservation needs — and help ensure wildlife and wild places can be enjoyed and shared by all.

Public education should focus on topics such as how hunting provides funding for wildlife research, restoring ailing wildlife species and improving their habitat, benefiting non-game species and assisting wildlife biologists in fighting wildlife diseases. Each one of these topics is an example of the passion for wildlife shared by hunters who are committed to making sure our environment is bio-diverse, sustainable and available for all lovers of wildlife to enjoy and value into the future.

Beyond public education about how hunting provides the funding critical to wildlife and conservation, it should also focus on the commitment hunters make to fair chase, ethical hunting and safety, especially when it comes to the handling and storage of firearms at home, in the field or in vehicles.  The non-hunting public has been misled by tired stereotypes of who hunters are, and it’s up to us as the hunting community to model and advocate for firearm safety and responsibility.  As a first step, I invite you to check out and share the hunting safety resources from NSSF’s Project ChildSafe.

Moving the needle on how the US population views the role of hunting in conservation as well as safety in hunting will be important to help ensure conservation funding into the future. Doing so will illustrate that hunters are indeed first for wildlife, committed to responsible and ethical hunting, and dedicated to making sure there is wildlife for all future generations.

Todd Roggenkamp is the Assistant Director of Education for Safari Club International Foundation. He has spent the last 25 years helping develop and provide programs that focus on the importance of the role hunting plays in conservation. An avid hunter, trapper and angler, he is dedicated to helping educate the public about the importance of conservation, sustainability and being a good steward of our environment.

By: Cheryl Todd
Vice President of Arizona Citizens Defense League and co-host of the GunFreedom Radio Podcast

In the modern world, the intersection of women and firearms is often viewed as an unusual or even surprising topic, but it is one that carries significant weight in both history and the future of our nation. It is not just about the tools and training unique to the female physique but also about how women in the United States are engaging with the very foundation of our Constitutional protections, particularly the Second Amendment. 

Women, especially mothers, have long been seen as the gatekeepers of safety in the home—responsible for everything from keeping sharp knives out of reach to securing medications, cleaning products and, yes, firearms. Just as women safeguard their homes from potential harm in countless ways, they are also key players in the conversation about gun rights and safety. 

A particularly poignant anniversary related specifically to women recently passed: the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. In a country that has been around for nearly 250 years, this right has only been available to women for the last 100. For many of us, it is hard to imagine there was ever a time when women couldn’t freely walk into a polling station to cast their vote, let alone that it was once a radical, illegal act for women to even think about voting. 

That right, however, was not handed to us; it was fought for and hard-won. Women who sought representation through the ballot box were seen as divisive and extremist, and the fight for suffrage cost many of them dearly. Some women were ostracized by friends and family, and others faced imprisonment. But after years of struggle, sacrifice and perseverance, the 19th Amendment passed and was ratified and adopted in 1920. From that day forward, women across the country gained the ability to shape the direction of the nation through their votes. 

So, wouldn’t you think that once we won the right to vote, women would be unwavering in defending every syllable of every other enumerated Liberty our Founding Fathers and Mothers fought, bled and died to secure? Wouldn’t we stand tall and proud, storming the doors of every polling place, defending our rights and the values that have defined our nation? 

Unfortunately, the reality is more complicated. As we passed the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, efforts are afoot to chip many of our rights slowly away — often led by other women. Misinformation, emotional appeals and political maneuvering have led some to make choices that undermine our freedoms. Many of us have allowed ourselves to slip back into thinking that government programs—rather than our own actions—can protect us and our families. We’ve allowed ourselves to slip backward in our thinking, voting for laws that separate us from our freedoms, including the most basic of rights—the right to defend our lives and our families. 

Perhaps the most significant right at stake today is the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a fundamental right that protects our ability to defend ourselves. In an era where some organizations try to claim women are too fragile or incapable of handling firearms, we have allowed ourselves to be manipulated into seeking permission from the very government that we fought to gain even the most basic of rights. These voices suggest that women should remain helpless, waiting for a “big, strong government program” to save us, rather than empowering ourselves to protect what matters most. 

However, in defiance of this narrative, women across the country are rising up, taking action and fighting to ensure our rights—especially the right to bear arms—are not diminished. As the co-host of the GunFreedomRadio Podcast and the proud Vice President of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), a non-profit, grassroots organization that is dedicated to protecting and advancing the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, I am working to educate legislators, the media and the public about the importance of the Second Amendment. Through these efforts, I am joined by thousands of other women and men in promoting responsible gun ownership through community outreach and advocacy. We believe that education—not legislation—is the key to safer homes and safer communities for our children and for all of us. We carry forward the legacy of the suffragists who fought for our right to vote, and our voices are helping to shape a future where freedom is not only preserved but strengthened. 

Women and guns are not an oddity, novelty or a contradiction—they are part of the same story. Women are at the heart of their families, their communities and our nation. We understand the power of our rights: the right to vote, the right to defend ourselves and the right to shape our future. These rights are inseparable. Through our actions, we teach our children the importance of showing up, speaking up and using the 19th Amendment to protect the Second Amendment. We understand that our rights are not just abstract ideas—they are essential to our freedom, our safety and our strength. 

So, when we talk about women and guns, we’re talking about much more than firearms. We’re talking about the power we have to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. We’re talking about the legacy of women who fought for our right to vote and the responsibility we now carry to defend that right—along with the Second Amendment—every day, not just during election seasons, but in every season of our lives. 

Cheryl Todd is the co-host of the GunFreedomRadio Podcast and a passionate advocate for the Second Amendment. As the Vice President of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, she educates legislators, media and the public on firearm rights, safety and the importance of preserving individual freedoms for future generations.

By: Staci Claunch
Southwest Regional Director of Women for Gun Rights 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the strides women have made in securing their rights and ensuring their personal safety. In doing so, we must acknowledge that the right to self-defense is not just a matter of personal security. It is a fundamental civil right — one that intersects with women’s empowerment, safety and responsible gun ownership.

Historically, women’s rights have often been framed within the context of voting, workplace equality and reproductive freedom. For much of that same history, gun ownership has been viewed as a predominantly male domain — and for centuries women were expected to rely on male protectors, law enforcement or social structures to ensure their security.

While these institutions play a role in public safety, they cannot always be present in moments of immediate danger. A firearm in the hands of a responsible, trained woman provides her with the means to protect herself and her loved ones when no one else can.

That’s why, over the past several years, more and more women have embraced gun ownership and challenged the notion that ownership is a privilege for men only.  They are recognizing that owning and carrying a firearm is a civil rights issue — one that acknowledges a woman’s autonomy over her own safety. As a result, women are one of the fastest growing segments of the gun-owning population today.

At the same time, with rights come responsibilities. Firearm ownership is a serious commitment that requires education, training and practice. Training programs and women-focused firearms education courses have grown in popularity, offering instruction on marksmanship, situational awareness and conflict avoidance. These programs not only teach practical skills but also foster confidence and self-sufficiency. If you’re going to own a firearm, take the time to learn how to use it.  As I like to say, the first time someone handles a firearm should not be the first time they need it in an emergency.

Likewise, women who choose to own firearms must also embrace the responsibility of storing that firearm securely when it’s not in use. Protecting the safety of yourself and your family means more than simply bringing a firearm into your home.  Ensuring that firearm cannot be accessed by a child, someone who may be at-risk of suicide, a burglar or any unauthorized person should be the top priority.

Additionally, advocating for responsible gun ownership strengthens the integrity of the Second Amendment. Women who own and carry firearms responsibly help dispel negative stereotypes about gun owners and contribute to a culture of safety and preparedness.

As we honor Women’s History Month, we must acknowledge that the right to self-defense is an essential part of women’s civil rights. Firearm ownership, when paired with education and responsibility, provides women with a means of protection, empowerment and self-reliance. The movement for women’s rights includes the right to personal safety, and in an era where women are increasingly embracing their autonomy, responsible firearms ownership is a powerful tool in the ongoing fight for equality and security.

Staci Claunch is a U.S Army and Navy veteran – where she served in both Iraq and Afghanistan – mother of three, wife of 16 years and owner of Scorpion Defense LLC. She shoots competitively and is a Safety Officer for the International Defensive Pistol Association, USCCA instructor, Account Executive for Delta Defense and the Southwest Regional Director of Women for Gun Rights.  As a self-declared firearms enthusiast, her passion is for training and working with women who are new to the sport. 

By: Karen Butler
Founder and President of SLG2, Inc.

March is Women’s History Month and a good time to reflect on the positive impact women have made and continue to make in their communities, which in turn benefits the shooting sports industry.   

History is full of women that influenced positive attitudes towards the use of firearms and who excelled as ambassadors of the shooting sports by promoting firearm safety and teaching shooting fundamentals.  Currently there are numerous women who in leadership positions throughout the shooting sports industry, serving as exceptional brand ambassadors for safety and the sport, and who also work within their communities to educate people on safety and firearm use. 

Obviously, there are too many women to call out by name who have influenced positive attitudes to use of firearms usage, but two stand out to me.  Molly Pitcher is my first choice, because she, according to The American Battlefield Trust, represented thousands of women who fought in the American Revolution.  The legend of Molly is that she was a nurse on the battlefield, and when her husband was killed, she continued the fight by firing his cannon.  Another woman who I read about in an article by NRA Women who embodies the right to keep and bear arms is Ida B. Wells.  Ida was a civil rights activist in the later 1800s who exercised her First Amendment rights to speak out for African Americans.  She was brave and realized after her friend, Thomas Moss, was killed by lynch men that she needed a gun.  She later had to use that gun to protect herself.  These two women stand out to me, because it is awful to think about where we would be as a nation had they not made the choice to use a gun. 

Our original firearms brand ambassadors are easy for most of us to identify.  The iconic images of Annie Oakley performing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Shows are of a confident, skilled and proficient shooter, but did you know she also taught women to shoot?  Historians estimate that she taught more than 15,000 women about gun safety and use of firearms to target shoot and defend themselves.  

Gun safety and use was also taught by many people who ran “Cellar Clubs” across 1940s America.  Sponsored by Colt’s Manufacturing, these clubs were advertised to encourage women to learn how to shoot.  There is not a lot of data on the impact, but in a time when women were rising in status, it must have been extensive. 

In the shooting sports industry, there are many women who broke some glass ceilings and excelled to leadership positions.  Here are a few who should not go unnoticed:
Cyndi Flannigan, who has over 40 years in the firearm industry and was VP of Marketing at Walther; Deana McPhearson, who is the Chief Finance Officer for Smith & Wesson; Brandi Collins, who is the Marketing Director at Glock;  Sara Simonow, who is the Marketing Director of Colt; Abbey Clary, Director of Media, Advertising & Public Relations at Ruger; Ozge Cumberland, Chief Revenue Officer for Primary Arms; and Marion Hamner and Sandy Frohman, who were Presidents of the National Rifle Association.  The women listed are just a few of the many more women who should be mentioned here. 

We also have some amazing women who serve as brand ambassadors for our industry.  Julie Golob is an ambassador for NSSF and Smith & Wesson, and she also has written a children’s book promoting safety, Toys, Tools, Guns & Rules.  Tactical Mia, a ten year old, is representing women in shooting sports and promotes families learning about firearm safety.  Check out your favorite gun company’s website and you will find women and young girls who are representing women in shooting sports. 

Some of the biggest influencers of firearm safety and shooting sports in communities are the women who are certified instructors across the country.  Some are part of Armed Women of America, A Girl and A Gun or local women who have created their own groups at their gun ranges (maybe like the Cellars Clubs) and teach classes within their communities.  Many additional women have their own small businesses and are in their community promoting safety and firearm education.  If you consider the positive impact that Annie Oakley made as one women, you can exponentially multiply that for all the phenomenal women instructors that are teaching firearm safety today.    

I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention men as we talk about Women’s History Month.  Women have made incredible impact in the firearm industry, and many of our male counterparts have been extremely supportive as we rise to the challenge to promote gun safety and education.  I am grateful for the men who have supported all of us over the years. 

Women will continue to make a positive impact in shooting sports.  If you want to make a positive impact, even if you are not an industry professional, brand ambassador or instructor, you can make a difference by using the resources put out by the NSSF’s Project ChildSafe. 

Karen Butler is the founder and President of SLG2, Inc. an experiential marketing company that includes promotes firearms safety, shooting sports, and personal protection through interactive experiences with its brands Shoot Like a Girl and SafeLivinG.  Karen retired from the Department of the United States Army after 22 years of distinguished civilian service in November 2016. She shot a bow and a rifle for the first time in 2000, after camping with some friends, and was instantly hooked. She went on to become an accomplished hunter, speaker and writer.  She launched Shoot Like A Girl in February 2009 at the World Archery Festival in Las Vegas, NV, and has achieved tremendous success since then. She was named the NRA Woman of the Year; recognized by Outdoor Life Magazine as one of their 2011 Top 25: Leaders in Hunting, Fishing and Conservation; and named Entrepreneur of the Year by Women’s Business Center of North Alabama in 2017. She has been featured in Time Magazine, on multiple television shows, interviewed on National radio shows and conducted seminars at numerous events, including the NSSF Range and Retailer Business Expo.    

By: Jan Ennenga
Executive Director of Armed Women of America 

As we enter March, my thoughts are about lions and lambs, and how women are a mix of both. We are nurturers, gentle, calm and caring — and yet there is a fierce side as well. Throughout history, women have defended and protected their loved ones, keeping them safe from harm.

From mythical warrior/protector goddesses like Diana and Artemis to frontier women keeping watch over their homesteads, the instinct to protect is deeply ingrained in us. In today’s modern times, that instinct remains just as strong, but the ways in which we protect ourselves have evolved. Today, more and more women are choosing to become firearm owners, recognizing that self-defense — protecting themselves and their families — is one of their most fundamental rights.

The number of women purchasing firearms has surged in recent years, and for good reason. We understand that when danger presents itself, we may be the first and only line of defense for ourselves and our loved ones. Women from all walks of life—mothers, daughters, single professionals and retirees—are embracing their right to bear arms. It’s empowering to take control of our personal safety, to refuse to be a victim and to ensure that we are prepared should the unthinkable happen.

But that involves more than just buying a gun.  It means taking training courses and learning how to safely and effectively use firearms. Owning a gun without knowing how to use it under stress is like having a fire extinguisher but not knowing how to pull the pin. Regular practice at the range, situational awareness drills and even courses on de-escalation and conflict resolution are part of responsible gun ownership.

Equally important, owning a firearm means understanding how to store it securely to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. No unauthorized individuals — especially children — should ever have access to your firearm.

In that spirit, anyone considering a firearm purchase should think first about how that gun will be securely stored in your home when it’s not in use.  There are several safe storage options available, ranging from a simple lock and key to full-sized armored and fireproof gun safes. Ammunition should also be stored separately as an additional layer of precaution.  The last thing anyone wants is for something that’s meant to be a tool for your personal and home protection to become a source of tragedy.

As we honor Women’s History Month, let’s recognize the strength, resilience and courage of women throughout history who have stood as protectors of their families. And let’s commit ourselves to being responsible, educated and prepared defenders of ourselves and those in our care. Because being both a lion and a lamb means knowing when to be fierce and when to be gentle—and ensuring that our means of defense are as safe as they are effective.

Jan Ennenga is the Executive Director of Armed Women of America, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling women to be their own self-protectors, creating freedom, peace of mind, and confidence in themselves.

This year’s SHOT Show® – the firearm industry’s annual trade show  – truly stood out among all previous events. From January 21 through January 24, the Venetian Expo + Caesars Forum in Las Vegas buzzed with constant energy throughout the week. Industry professionals were busy forging new relationships, reconnecting with long-time friends and looking for innovative ways to collaborate. 

This year, we introduced a unique storytelling component at the Project ChildSafe® booth, where attendees were encouraged to sign a whiteboard and share a personal anecdote on “Why Secure Storage Matters to You.” To enhance this experience, attendees were offered Polaroid cameras to capture a tangible, immediate snapshot of meaningful moments while at SHOT Show. At Project ChildSafe, we believe responsible firearm ownership goes beyond flashy activations; it’s about making personal connections and engaging with people on a deeper level.

Some of the attendees who shared their thoughts on why secure storage matters include: 

• Kia Glenn, National African American Gun Association (NAAGA): “I practice safety because our lives depend on it!” 
• Claire Houtsma: “It can create space between a person thinking about suicide and their firearm, so they can get help and support. 
• Stiffler Family, Stiffler Manufacturing: “Safety is our number 1 concern with us having two little boys. Thank you!” 

SHOT Show attendees who stopped by the Project ChildSafe booth also had the opportunity to learn more about Gun Storage Check Week®, which is a national awareness campaign that reminds gun owners to check on their storage practices to ‘Make Sure It’s Secure. Visitors received a variety of educational resources and were encouraged to sign up as supporters and participants for this year’s annual observance, which kicks off in June during National Safety Month and continues in September for Suicide Prevention Month. To spread the word, Project ChildSafe also appeared on multiple radio shows, such as KNZR 1560AM and The Lars Larson Show. If you’d like to be part of this year’s Gun Storage Check Week efforts, please sign up to become a supporter today! 

To conclude our week on a high note, we had Lexi Lagan, a two-time Olympian, visit the Project ChildSafe booth for a meet and greet, helping us spread the message of secure storage and suicide prevention resources with attendees. 

Overall, we’re grateful and excited to have built new relationships with inspiring individuals like King Pedford, who is educating the next generation of hunters on the importance of conservation, The Armory Project, a valuable partner on vital suicide prevention efforts, and A Better Way 2A, who shares our passion and mission to promote real firearm safety solutions for every community. 

Project ChildSafe and Gun Storage Check Week are programs of NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association®. NSSF owns and manages the SHOT Show.  

By: Pete Muller
Public Relations Director for the National Wild Turkey Federation

As a single father of three younger kids, a passionate outdoorsman and a staffer at the National Wild Turkey Federation, one of the most cherished times of the year for me is spring turkey season and spending time in South Carolina’s hardwood bottoms, planted pines or field edges with my kids hunting wild turkey and hoping to hear a gobble. But, as my home state doesn’t have a fall turkey season, many of our weekend mornings and evenings right now are spent chasing deer and countless other game instead of turkeys, as I try to pass along my hunting heritage to the next generation.  

Now teaching safe practices to kids is huge part of being a parent, and as a responsible firearm owner, firearm safety is something I have hammered home since they were extremely young. Even though my firearms are all locked away in storage, they know the base rules for encountering a firearm —STOP, don’t touch, leave the area and tell an adult. With me and the kids spending more time afield hunting, and them now even carrying or holding firearms while we hunt together, the rules have been broadened as we work to hunt safely together as a family. 

Here are just a few of the things you too can do to ensure safety for you and your kids while in the woods this fall: 

• Plan ahead for the hunt to make sure you are properly equipped: Whether tree stand harness, headlamp, Thermacell, knife, first aid kit, water and snacks, make sure you are prepared for your hunt and the conditions and terrain you may encounter.   

• Let someone know where you will be going: Kids can use a phone easy enough, but letting a family member or friend know where you will be helps ensure safety should issues arise. 

• Travel to and from our home to the field with the firearms unloaded and in a proper case: While just a good safety practice, in South Carolina I have learned this is also especially important as it is unlawful to have an uncased firearm when traveling on game lands.  

• Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction when transporting or in the blind: As my kids are allowed to hunt big game in this state, they now are holding and transporting firearms and understand this is a core rule of firearm safety. 

• Keep the safety on and don’t put your finger on the trigger or in the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot, and return the safety to on once you take the shot: The chance of a firearm discharging without pulling the trigger and with having the safety on is pretty much zero, so this safety measure can nearly eliminate accidental discharges. 

• Wear a harness and use lifelines when in elevated stands: Falling, even from shorter heights off the ground can result in injury. Staying “tied” to your tree or ladder stand can reduce the risk of injuries from falling. 

• Properly identify your target and what is behind it: Once you pull the trigger, you cannot take back that shot. So, make sure you know your target and ensure you have a proper backstop behind the target.  

• Unload, clean and properly store your firearms upon returning home: After a hunt, it is easy to get caught up in all the things that need to be done, but unloading, cleaning and returning your firearm to a lockable storage or safe means that your gear is safely and securely stored until the next time you need it.  

Hunting together as a family is the greatest way to pass on our hunting heritage, so make sure your pursuits are not just successful, but also safe. 

Pete Muller is the Public Relations director at the National Wild Turkey Federation.  Follow NWTF on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and at nwtf.org. 

By: Kristy Titus
Producer and Host of Pursue the Wild and the Wild & Uncut Podcast

Making ethical shots in every hunting situation, whether it’s varmints or big game, is a must.  Every hunting scenario and shot opportunity is unique — often you have to make split-second decisions — so committing to ethical shooting can help you be in the right mindset in those moments. The last experience any hunter wants is to wound and then not locate an animal. It does happen sometimes, even to the best of hunters, but all of us can take steps to prevent that and stack the odds in our favor. 

• Ethical Shots Start Before the Season Does. Taking the time to get to the range and practice in advance is the best thing you can do to make sure you deliver the goods when the moment of truth arrives and the game of your dreams is in range. Know where that arrow or bullet is going to hit at different distances and get a sense for the maximum distance you can shoot accurately and confidently. Also remember, there are no shooting benches out in the woods. Once your rifle is sighted in, practice shooting from the more realistic positions you’re likely to use in the field.  

• Listen to Your Gut – and No One Else. Out in the field, when that opportunity presents itself, ask yourself if you have the ability to make an ethical shot. Do you have a clear view of the vitals?  Do you know where the shot placement needs to be on an animal that’s quarter to — or quartering away?  Are you even going to be able to retrieve the animal from where it is when you shoot?  If there is any question in your mind, or you feel uneasy at any time about taking a shot, it is always better to get closer or simply wait for a better opportunity. Don’t ever let someone tell you or pressure you to make a shot you’re not comfortable with, or rush you through the process. You know when it feels right, and any other hunter or guide worth their salt will respect you for passing on a shot you’re not certain about, so listen to yourself.  

• Look Beyond Your Target. Game animals are often found in groups, so be certain there’s not another animal — or another hunter — behind your target.  This is as much about safety as it is ethical hunting.  

• Lower is (Usually) Better.  Thinking about your shot setup, the closer to the ground you can get the more stable you’re shooting position is going to be. If you can get into a prone position, absolutely do it, but be aware of any brush or rocks that might be in front of your muzzle bore but not visible in your scope. Trust me, if you fire off your shot and hit a rock, bush or branch that is directly in front of you, your hunt is pretty much over for that day. If you do need to get higher off the ground and over the tops of vegetation, consider carrying some shooting sticks, a bipod or any of the other tools out there that will give you a solid, stable rest. They can add weight to a pack, but that’s a much lighter burden than the memory of a botched shot. 

• Breathe. Even in the heat of the moment, be sure to go through a mental checklist of all the fundamentals of marksmanship that you’ve practiced at the range. This mental checklist might seem long but as you become competent as a shooter — through practice — all of these things will become second nature. Your heart is most likely going to be beating wildly, and you might be breathless from hiking, so take one or two really deep calming breaths while settling in for the shot. 

• Press, Don’t Pull, and “Follow Through” on the Trigger. Press or squeeze the trigger with straight rearward pressure. “Pulling” the trigger can actually cause you to move your point of impact just enough to miss the vitals and send a wounded animal running.  Ideally, you’ll apply slow, rearward trigger pressure until the gun slightly surprises you when it fires. Don’t immediately look up, hold this trigger press and your head/eye position throughout the recoil process until your sight picture returns and, ideally, you can reacquire the target quickly.   

Ultimately, we all owe it to the animals we hunt, and to ourselves, to make clean, ethical shots. We don’t want to see animals suffer needlessly, and we spend far too much of our precious money and vacation time on hunting to be left with tag soup because we made a bad shot.  And finally, because an ethical hunter is also a responsible one, especially when it comes to gun safety, please be sure to store all firearms securely and safely when the hunt is over.     

Kristy Titus is a prominent Second Amendment advocate, shooting sports enthusiast, a certified firearms instructor, Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor, Range Safety Officer, competitive long range shooter and an avid archer. She produces and hosts Pursue the Wild, as well as the “Wild & Uncut” Podcast, both presented by Ruger. In all areas of her life, Kristy advocates for adventure, wildlife and land stewardship, conservation through hunting, the Second Amendment, shooting sports and our time-honored hunting traditions. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.  

By: Laurine Wolf
Deputy Director of Education and Humanitarian Services for the Safari Club International (SCI) Foundation

The fall hunting seasons are in full swing.  It’s such an exciting time — there’s a crisp feeling in the air, and there’s a sense of anticipation as “the game is afoot.”  It’s also a time when we can get lax about basic rules that keep us all safe in the field. As the organization that is “First for Hunters,” SCI is proud to partner with NSSF and Project ChildSafe for the annual “HuntSAFE” initiative and offer these 10 Tips for Safe Hunting. 

1. First, be an ethical hunter by being adequately prepared — practice your shooting skills, review the rules of firearms safety and maintain your firearms to keep them working properly and reliably. 
2. If you’re going to be hunting alone, make sure someone knows where you are and when you expect to return. Better yet, hunt with a friend — they’re someone who can administer first aid or go for help if needed, plus you can’t beat the camaraderie of hunting together.  
3. Any time you’re handling firearms, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. That includes at home, in the field, at the range, in vehicles and everywhere in between.  
4. When moving firearms into or out of a vehicle, make sure they’re unloaded and never grab, hold or move the firearm by the muzzle.  
5. Unload your gun when climbing into or out of a tree stand or crossing a fence or stream. 
6. When hunting, keep the firearm’s safety “on” and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot. That’s important to remember because the safety is just like any other mechanical device: it can fail.    
7. If you’re hunting from a tree stand, always use a safety harness.  
8. Be certain of your target — and what lies beyond it. 
9. Make sure YOU are easily identifiable and not invisible to or mistaken for game by other hunters. 
10. Don’t forget that you haven’t completed a safe hunting trip until your firearm is unloaded and securely and safely stored — where children can’t access it, and where it’s not an easy target for criminals.  In that same spirit, store ammunition separately from the gun. 

In addition to these tips, Project ChildSafe has developed a HuntSAFE quiz and a Hunting Checklist for Families to help reinforce safe firearms handling and storage. And for families looking to pass on the hunting heritage, check out the new HuntSAFE Walk-Through Module and Childs Hunting Pledge.  

Laurine Wolf is the Deputy Director of Education and Humanitarian Services for the SCI Foundation, which works to ensure the future of wildlife through conservation, education and hunting. Learn more about the SCI Foundation by visiting https://safariclubfoundation.org/.