Safety remains key as Idaho hunters prepare for upcoming seasons

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Hunting is underway across Idaho, and the season’s early days are already putting people in the woods and on the range. As hunters gear up to bag a buck, hunter safety is the first thing to lock in, and not an afterthought once you’re miles from the truck.

Although not all locations are open for every form of hunting just yet, archery is giving many hunters a solid start.

“Populations for most species are pretty abundant and fairly easy to find,” James Brower, regional communications manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the Upper Snake region, said. “I’ve already heard of a lot of archery hunters who are having some pretty good success, and finding animals and having fun.”

That early success is exactly when habits matter. Brower and Fish and Game stress the basics that keep hunters and others in the outdoors safe:

• Wearing an orange hat or vest (hunter orange is highly recommended in Idaho and required in some upland/pheasant and sponsored-hunt settings)
• Properly maintaining firearms
• Sharing your hunting plan
• Packing emergency essentials

Safety courses are required for many hunting licenses. Even if you already have your license, Brower says it never hurts to brush up on these lessons before heading out.

"We teach a lot about first aid and preparedness, but we do focus on firearm safety," Brower said. "So make sure that you're pointing that muzzle in a safe direction. Only shooting at the target that you intend to shoot."

Children as young as 9 can take the courses and join family hunts once they’re certified and licensed as required.

"That's one of my favorite things to see is when a 12-year-old boy or girl can look up at mom and dad and say, 'hey, I learned this in hunter safety class, and we need to point that muzzle in a safe direction at all times, or use the safety or whatever it is'," Brower said.

For more information on classes, click HERE.