Responsible hunting is a time-honored tradition that plays an important part in managing Louisiana’s wild game populations. Responsible hunting means respecting game animals, hunting ethically and, most importantly, hunting safely.
 
With hunting season beginning and firearms in use and in transport, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) are urging hunters to prevent firearm accidents in the field, at the range, at home, and everywhere in between. 
 
Remember, the hunt isn’t over until you are S.A.F.E. 
 
S.A.F.E. stands for: Store firearms responsibly, Always practice firearm safety, Focus on your responsibilities as a firearm owner, and Education is key to preventing accidents.
 
Safe and secure storage of firearms when they are not in use is the number one way to prevent firearm accidents. 
 
To complement LDWF’s hunter safety programs and provide hunters with additional resources on proper firearm storage and safety, NSSF has made several resources available, which can be found at the Project Childsafe website. Together, LDWF and NSSF want to help everyone hunt responsibly, return home safely, and securely store their unloaded firearms.
 
NSSF’s Hunt S.A.F.E. campaign is part of the Project ChildSafe program, which NSSF launched in 1999. For more information on safe firearm storage and to find out how to get a free firearm safety kit, including a gun lock, visit www.projectchildsafe.org.
 
For more information, contact LDWF Education Program Manager Eric Shanks at eshanks@wlf.la.gov or 337-491-2575.