Page 2 - 2023NovDec

PANORAMAS

Oklahoma’s hunter education course covers coat, a staple for many Oklahomans during fall
what you need to know to be a safe hunter in the and winter, looks very similar to the color of a
field. It’s meant to be one of the first steps in your deer. And a scarf having red, white or blue in
journey as a hunter. it could resemble the colors on a wild turkey’s
While our course does focus on safety measures head. Many outdoor enthusiasts like to blend
for hunting situations, we also cover topics like in with the natural environment, but be sure
survival and wildlife conservation and manage- to factor in any open hunting seasons to your
ment. There are so many lessons that can apply to choice of wardrobe.
anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors. • Firearms Safety Begins in the Home. Fire-
Lance Meek With several hunting seasons recently opened arms safety is of paramount importance while
or starting soon, it’s a great time to share some hunting in the field, but those lessons about
tips and reminders from our hunter education storage and safety can, and do, apply to any-
course that can help everyone stay safe, regard- one who owns a firearm. Always treat a firearm
less of their outdoor pursuits. as if it is loaded. Never assume that a firearm
• Share Your Outdoor Plans. No one expects is unloaded, even if it was checked only a few
to ever need a rescue, but this simple step minutes earlier. Store firearms and ammunition
can make a big difference in the off-chance separately in locked cabinets or safes. And
your outing doesn’t go as planned. Whether avoid horseplay at all times. No matter how
you’re going afield for a hunt, hike, or extend- good your kid is, or how trained they are, fire-
ed outdoor chore, let someone know the arms are fascinating to kids. Do whatever you
general vicinity you plan to explore and your need to do to keep kids from accessing your
expected return time. That information can firearms when you aren’t present.
send help in the right direction, when time Everyone is encouraged to read through the
may be of the essence. Wildlife Department’s free Hunter Education Man-
• Hunter Orange Isn’t Just for Hunters. Wear- ual, take the free online hunter education course
ing a minimum amount of daylight fluorescent (available through the NRA learning portal), or
orange is a safety requirement for most hunt- attend a free in-person hunter education course.
ers during some hunting seasons. And while The manual is a great resource for those new to
intended to alert hunters of other hunters’ the outdoor life, and it serves as a great refresher
presence, it doesn’t have to be a hunters-only for those already certified in hunter education.
practice. If you’re going to spend time outdoors We invite everyone to take the course either
during fall or winter hunting seasons, regardless online or in a classroom setting, whether they ever
of the reason, at least let your hat be hunter intend to hunt. When anyone completes the free
orange to allow others to be able to see you. online, the Wildlife Department receives in-kind
• Dress for the Seasons … Not Just the dollars. Those dollars can then unlock additional
Weather. Outerwear is covered in several federal funding that supports hunter education
hunter education lessons, and not just in the and other education programs.
“wear hunter orange; dress in layers; avoid
cotton clothes if you may get wet or rained on;
the first symptom of hypothermia is shivering”
kind of way. Everyone in the outdoors should
be aware of all open hunting seasons and Lance Meek, Oklahoma Department of
dress accordingly. That old-school Carhartt Wildlife Conservation