Press Release

Six Nations Police, Contact Derrick Anderson, (519) 445-2811

[Hunter], Safety Tips and Personal Requirements in the Field

(Provided as a public service by: Six Nations Wild Life Management Office)

Hunting, fishing and wild life harvesting among North American Indian tribes and communities is, as [they say], an Indian [right] entrenched in the Canadian Constitution. In ancient times Iroquois and other Native people hunted with Bows and Arrows, Spears and a wide assortment of traps and snares but quickly learned to use firearms after the Europeans stumbled onto the North American continent over five hundred years ago. Since that time, the Iroquois and their cousins have kept pace with every new firearm and hunting method which has come onto the scene and have also learned to adjust to any new rules and regulations which have been imposed on the original inhabitants of this land by the foreign governments which occupy our traditional territories.

Almost every province in Canada and every State in the Union has its own set of safe hunting and wild life harvesting (commandments/rules) which have been designed to aid the hunting public as they (the hunters) walk bravely into the “bush” each autumn in search of that “trophy bull” or “Big Tom turkey”. The following is a partial list of [things to do] in the field and things [never to do, anywhere].

Important Safety Tips for Hunters Using Firearms & Bows and Arrows

• When hunting game animals, [Hunters should always wear “Bright Orange” to be seen by other hunters  to avoid becoming; the Hunted]. Do not wear Red, White or Blue clothing while hunting turkey
• Keep the muzzle of your rifle pointed in the safest direction at all times; usually downward in the field
• Treat every firearm as though it were loaded.
• Make sure the firearm is unloaded and keep the “action open” except when you are ready to shoot.
• Make sure to keep your firearm “clean and clear” and remember to use the “proper ammunition”.
• Never point your Firearm or Bow at another person; do not “horse around”.
• Always practice proper target identification; be “sure” of your target before you fire or release the arrow.
• Hunt safely; never climb up a tree, or go over a fence, or attempt to jump over a ditch while carrying a loaded firearm.
• Never: drink alcohol and drive or do drugs “on the way to the hunt”, “during the hunt” or “after the hunt”.
• Do not shoot at a sound: never [assume] “what you hear” or “what answers your call” is a turkey
• Always store your firearms and ammunition separately and safely.
• Never hunt after dark.