Turkey season ends nearly incident-free

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MADISON -- State hunting safety officials credit attention to firearm safety and respect for property by Wisconsin turkey hunters with making the 2009 Spring Turkey Hunt ended the safest season on record.

“We almost ended with no hunting incidents,” said Tim Lawhern DNR Hunter Safety Administrator. “The only incident happened on the very last day of the season.”

The investigation into the Crawford County incident is pending and details cannot be released. However, Lawhern said it involved one turkey hunter on private land shooting another hunter while attempting to stalk a turkey. The hunter who was shot will survive, he said.

“Clearly, there are things that went wrong in that situation,” Lawhern said. “The good news is we continue to improve on our overall safety record.”

Lawhern credits the improved safety during the years to hunters’ awareness of the four basic rules of firearms:

Treat every firearm as if loaded
Know your target and what is beyond it
Point the muzzle in a safe direction
Keep finger outside trigger guard until ready to shoot

“Turkey hunters also must know what a legal target is for spring turkey hunting – and that means only male turkeys,” Lawhern said. “The turkey hunter must see a beard on the turkey – and be certain it is a live bird and not a decoy.”

A hunter's decision to shoot must be based in fact and not belief, he said.

“Congratulations to Wisconsin’s turkey hunters and keep up the good work,” Lawhern said. “Remember: safe hunting is no accident.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on hunter safety contact Tim Lawhern, DNR Hunter Education Administrator – (608) 266-1317 or Joanne Haas, Senior Public Affairs Manager, (608) 267-0798

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