Hunting season sparks reminder from police

With the start of fall hunting season on the horizon, the Timmins Police Service is issuing a reminder to all hunters to take proper precautions with firearms.

Before venturing out, recreational hunters are advised to fully inspect their firearms for any defects that may have occurred while in storage.

Firearms should be proven safe: inspected to ensure there are no action or barrel obstructions.

Not all firearms are equipped with a “safety” but those that are, should be checked to verify that the “safety” feature is still in good working order and functions properly.

All firearms and ammunition must be stored in a locked receptacle when not being used for hunting.

The use of trigger locks is encouraged on stored firearms as this provides a higher level of safety.

When returning from a day’s hunting, all firearms should be checked to ensure they are not loaded, safety in the “on” position, and then returned safely to a locked receptacle.

The Timmins Police strongly recommends against storing any firearm in a vehicle, even if you are heading out the very next day.

Responsible firearm ownership demands attention to the legal and ethical requirements that are in place to enhance safety.

Please review and familiarize yourself with proper storage and handling of firearms and other statutory hunting requirements by referring to the 2016 Hunting Regulations Summary at https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary

Any old ammunition or that which is not likely to be used should be disposed of by turning such materials into the local police.

If you are in possession of a firearm that you no longer have any interest in, it should be turned in to the police for destruction.