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Hunting Animals Instead of Yourself and Others

Hunting can be an inherently dangerous activity. There are few other pastimes where people armed with guns or other weapons are purposefully attempting to kill other living creatures. Given these circumstances, it is not surprising that hunting accidents are not uncommon. In most cases however, hunting accidents are preventable.

In 1957, Ontario became the first province to take steps towards preventing hunting accidents by establishing the Ontario Hunting Education Program. This program reinforces the firearms safety information contained in the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. New hunters of all ages must take hunter education training and pass an exam before they can purchase their first hunting licence.

Even after taking these required courses accidents still happen. The Ontario Hunting Education Program’s administrators suggest several ways to help prevent these accidents. Some of the simplest requirements include carrying only unloaded firearms in vehicles or motorboats, keeping firearms encased and unloaded in the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, not shooting from public roads, hunting in the wrong areas, and failing to wear visible fluorescent orange vests and hats.

Because these accidents do occur it is best check your homeowner’s insurance policy and to purchase an appropriate policy of disability insurance before going hunting. A responsible hunter should be protected in case of causing a person to be injured or suffering an injury that is self-inflicted or otherwise. If you have been injured while hunting a personal injury lawyer can help to determine if any of these protections are available to you.