Hunting Safety

Safe hunting is about being smart — smart about your choices, smart about your actions and smart about taking the time to learn how to do things properly. We’ve provided some basic safety information here, but there’s way more to learn. Follow the links, find out what you need to know and then learn it. Challenge yourself to be the safest hunter you can be.

Firearms Safety & Courses

General Rules of Firearm Safety:

1. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
2. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
3. Keep the action of the firearm open, except when shooting or when storing an unloaded gun.
4. Use the right ammunition for your firearm.
5. Be sure of your target – and beyond.

Firearm safety is covered in depth in the Alberta Conservation and Hunter Education program. There are numerous hunter education firearm safety courses you can take.

Find hunter education courses and learning resources in Alberta:

Review safety information from the Canadian Firearms Centre:

Watch a series of videos on firearms safety:

Bow Hunting Safety

General Rules of Bowhunting Safety:

1. Always check the condition of your equipment before using it.
2. Never nock an arrow or draw a bow while facing someone.
3. Be sure of your target. Never release an arrow without full view of the path to and beyond the target.
4. Never shoot an arrow straight up in the air.
5. Always carry hunting arrows with points covered.
6. Put your tackle away after use.

Updated: Dec 8, 2016