Hunting and Fishing Safety

For families who have enjoyed outdoor activities for decades, hunting and fishing, and all the safety concerns that come with them are natural forces of habit. Regardless, any time you’re around around big bodies of water and firearms, caution should be heeded.

No matter how old first-time Pennsylvania hunters are, they need to complete a hunter-trapper safety course. These course run through firearm safety, appropriate ways to behave on hunts and ways for beginners to make the most of activities while staying safe. Although I used Pennsylvania as an example here, safety courses are mandated in most states.

In Pennsylvania, the course is available online. Other states require similar education, but the good news is all courses transfer between states, so family hunting vacations out of state don’t require multiple courses and training periods.

If you are going hunting, make sure to follow your state’s guidelines. Wear enough orange for the season and follow all posted signage.

Fishing is much less inherently risky than hunting, but there are still plenty of hazards to watch out for to make sure even young kids can have a good time.

Like any activity, it is important to arrive prepared. Make sure you know how to tie the appropriate knots and have at least one knife to cut your line in case anything goes wrong. If you are fishing on a boat, make sure to have life vests and a whistle in case anything goes wrong.