Blackburn Fork PreserveSafety Rules for Quail Hunters
1. Obey all the common rules of gun safety while afield, e.g., always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Be mindful of where your hunting colleagues are at all times. Always wear hunter orange, at least a cap, and preferably a cap and vest.
3. Maintain a straight line when walking.
4. Always scan the ground in front of you for obstacles that may trip you, e.g., a hole or piece of wire.
5. Know your assigned safe zones of fire and respect them. Do not shoot at birds that flush behind you.
6. When approaching a point, move quickly but safely into position. Walk past the dogs without slowing down. Don’t stop or begin to “stalk” the dogs on point.
7. Always approach a pointed bird dog with your gun in the “port” position (barrel pointed up) with the safety on.
8. Do not shoot at low-flying birds or at any bird if the guide yells, “No bird! No bird!”
9. If you knock a bird down, mark its location well. Don’t proceed towards the downed bird until all shooting has ceased.
10. Locate and pick up your spent shotgun hulls. Never leave any trash in the field.
11. Always unload your shotgun (safely and completely) before getting into the vehicle; leave the action open for easy inspection. When unloading your gun, make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction at all times (generally upwards and away from anybody).
12. Be especially careful when crossing fences or going under/through dense brush. When crossing fences unload your shotgun and pass it to a partner or lay it on the ground (on your cap), then cross through and continue hunting.
Quail hunting is a great sport. But remember, there is no quail out there that is worth endangering yourself, your comrades, your guide, or our dogs!