Dove hunting season started on September 1st, and already, game wardens have dealt with several accidental shootings.
Experts said on Tuesday that it is all about educating yourself -- about your gun, your surroundings and your abilities.
Each year, more than a million hunting licenses are sold across the state and each year, dozens of people fall victim to a stray bullet, a shot in the foot -- or worse.
80-year-old Ron Knaus has been hunting since he was thirteen years old, and has learned a thing or two during his time in the field.
"The biggst problem you have when people first start hunting is they point it in the air and what goes up, must come down somewhere," Knaus explained.
Knaus also owns acres of land near Abilene where people head out every winter to hunt game, so he takes several precautions before sending them out into the field.
"We have the hunters come out to a safety clinic on the first day, for half the day, and learn all of the rules and regulations," Knaus said.
After the class, hunters come out to a huge rock quarry and shoot off their guns -- that way, they can get comfortable with their firearms and its features before heading out to the grounds.
And for first-time hunters Casey and Sabrina Michalski, that practice makes all the difference.
"You go out there and you're nervous, so for any new gun, you need that practice, it's just a safety precaution," said Sabrina Michalski.
"It's good to prepare and know your gun before you go shooting, so you don't have to get used to it while you're out there, because that's just going to be too late and you could hurt somebody," added Casey Michalski.
Knaus said about one-fourth of the hunters he has come out onto his ranch have never handled a gun before, so it's important to remember these safety tips: be aware of your surroundings, keep your safety on, and if you're not using it, unload your gun.
Many hunting accidents happen with a shot to the foot.
Knaus also said the discussion about what can happen, and what has happened, is one of the best ways to set hunters straight and keep them safe.
The rest is usually left up to plain old common sense.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2011 was actually a record low for hunting accidents in the state.
Twenty-three hunters reported being involved in accidental shootings. Two of those incidents were deadly.
Experts said on Tuesday that it is all about educating yourself -- about your gun, your surroundings and your abilities.
Each year, more than a million hunting licenses are sold across the state and each year, dozens of people fall victim to a stray bullet, a shot in the foot -- or worse.
80-year-old Ron Knaus has been hunting since he was thirteen years old, and has learned a thing or two during his time in the field.
"The biggst problem you have when people first start hunting is they point it in the air and what goes up, must come down somewhere," Knaus explained.
Knaus also owns acres of land near Abilene where people head out every winter to hunt game, so he takes several precautions before sending them out into the field.
"We have the hunters come out to a safety clinic on the first day, for half the day, and learn all of the rules and regulations," Knaus said.
After the class, hunters come out to a huge rock quarry and shoot off their guns -- that way, they can get comfortable with their firearms and its features before heading out to the grounds.
And for first-time hunters Casey and Sabrina Michalski, that practice makes all the difference.
"You go out there and you're nervous, so for any new gun, you need that practice, it's just a safety precaution," said Sabrina Michalski.
"It's good to prepare and know your gun before you go shooting, so you don't have to get used to it while you're out there, because that's just going to be too late and you could hurt somebody," added Casey Michalski.
Knaus said about one-fourth of the hunters he has come out onto his ranch have never handled a gun before, so it's important to remember these safety tips: be aware of your surroundings, keep your safety on, and if you're not using it, unload your gun.
Many hunting accidents happen with a shot to the foot.
Knaus also said the discussion about what can happen, and what has happened, is one of the best ways to set hunters straight and keep them safe.
The rest is usually left up to plain old common sense.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2011 was actually a record low for hunting accidents in the state.
Twenty-three hunters reported being involved in accidental shootings. Two of those incidents were deadly.
