During the most recent hunting season, Georgia reported 36 hunting incidents, 16 of which involved firearms.

With the upcoming Oct. 20 opening of firearms deer season, hunters are encouraged to review the four primary rules of firearms safety before heading to the woods.

“Ultimately, each hunter is responsible for keeping themselves and others safe while pursuing deer this hunting season,” said Walter Lane, hunter development program manager of the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “This includes respecting all firearms safety rules and being absolutely certain of their target and what is in front of it and beyond it.”

The following checklist, comprised of only four items, is covered in all hunter education courses and easily can be remembered with the acronym ACTT:

A: Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

C: Control the muzzle of the firearm at all times.

T: Be certain of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it.

T: Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

For more information on firearms safety, visit ohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/education or contact the Wildlife Resources Division Hunter Education office at 770-761-3010.