Page 23 - 2020 May/June Outdoor Oklahoma

Hunting, fishing, and hiking are just a few of the many out-
door activities that are popular throughout Oklahoma and 10 COMMANDMENTS
the United States.
popular and rewarding outdoor activities: shooting sports. OF FIREARMS SAFETY
But we should add another to the list, so to speak, of very

The wealth of disciplines included in shooting sports 1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
includes trap, skeet, sporting clays and five-stand, all done
with a shotgun, as well as target shooting and silhouette 2. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
shooting with rifles. And let’s not forget target shooting with 3. Don’t rely on your gun’s safety.
pistols, and the more demanding discipline of action shoot- 4. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it..
ing, where competitors use different firearms in a timed set-
ting to score as many points as possible. 5. Use correct ammunition.
Those who engage in the various shooting sports have 6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled,
long surpassed the childhood activity of “plinking” (which handle with care!
for me was shooting soda cans in the pasture with my 7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
grandfather). Some shoot for the fun of it, while others take
the competition quite seriously, even hoping for a chance to 8. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before
shooting.
go to the Olympic Games.
The popularity of shooting sports is such that Oklahoma 9. Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns ser-
has more than 180 public schools involved in the Oklahoma viced regularly.
Scholastic Shooting Sports Program (OKSSSP), a 10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics
trap-based program started in 2013 by the Oklahoma of your firearm.
Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). Students at

LANCE MEEK/ODWC

Teaching a youngster about firearms use and safety will often help throughout his or her entire life.

MAY/JUNE 2020 21