Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Training Needed

ARKANSAS GAME & FISH COMMISSIION
Published Wednesday, January 5, 2000 in the Gurdon Times

In a state where hunting tradition is still strong, and where some game populations are as high as they have been in years, any form of hunting gear is often a welcomed gift.

One tradition that still holds true for many children in the Dakotas is that of receiving a firearm for Christmas.

For a youngster who has waited patiently to reach hunting age, nothing is more exciting than that first rifle or shotgun, proof positive that the recipient is coming of age and that the bestower believes he or she is ready to accept the responsibility of gun ownership.

Parents of a child who receives that first firearm here in Clark County will want to take some simple steps to ensure themselves that the firearm is used safely and responsibly.

Joe Huggins, hunter education coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, suggested these key points:

• Make sure your child reads and completely understands the manual supplied by the firearm's manufacturer. The manual explains everything he or she needs to know about the safe use, care and or storage of the gun.
• A responsible adult needs to be present anytime the gun is used.
• Enroll you child in a hunter education course as soon as possible. Contact you local wildlife officer or a Game and Fish Commission office to learn the date of the next available class.
• Consider letting your child enroll in a 4-H Shooting Sports program or a B-B gun program sponsored by some area service organizations. These programs emphasize safety and responsibility as well as teaching marksmanship.