Hunters need to focus on safety

• Published July 31, 2009

Comments (0)

Safety first should be the mantra of hunters and others recreating in the woods as Saturday marks the beginning of the hunting season across much of the state.

That’s right, the black bear hunting season is upon us, followed by several other season openers later this summer and this fall.

Still fresh on the minds of many is the tragic incident last August in Skagit County when a hiker was shot and killed by a young hunter who mistook her for a bear.

While it was the first hunting-related fatality involving a nonhunter in this state in at least 20 years, it was a grim reminder that accidental shootings can, and do, happen during hunting season.

A basic rule for hunters is to know their target and what’s beyond it before shooting.

And nonhunters are advised to wear brightly colored clothing. It’s also a good idea to whistle, sing or talk loudly to alert hunters to your whereabouts.

More than 200,000 hunters head outdoors each year in Washington. Hunting is legal on most public lands except state and national parks, and on private lands with the landowners permission. So remain alert and never assume you are alone.

Wildfire danger is also on the rise as the summer weather turns scorching hot and tinder dry.

Hunters and nonhunters alike have an obligation to make safety their watchword as they head outdoors in the weeks ahead.