What is the definition of "firearm safety" in the context of hunting?

The definition of "firearm safety" in the context of hunting focuses on the practices that ensure the safe handling, usage, and storage of firearms. This encompasses a range of guidelines and behaviors that hunters are trained to follow to prevent accidents and injuries. Safe handling includes always treating a firearm as if it is loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and being aware of one's target and what is beyond it. Safe storage involves keeping firearms secured and out of reach when not in use, as well as ensuring that ammunition is stored separately.

While using firearms only during the designated hunting seasons is important for wildlife management and conservation, it does not encompass the broader spectrum of firearm safety practices. Similarly, keeping firearms locked away at all times is a component of safe storage, but it does not address the comprehensive aspects of safe handling and usage that are crucial during an active hunting situation. Obtaining a special permit for firearm use may be a legal requirement in certain areas and contexts, but it also does not encapsulate the necessary practices that define firearm safety as it relates to the actual handling and operation of firearms while hunting.