Northwest Florida offers a wide range of options for sporting enthusiasts, including hunters. Depending on the season, hunters can use crossbows, rifles, shotguns, or other tools of the trade to seek a variety of game such as ducks, turkeys, and deer. Hunting requires skill and precision, rewarding the successful sportsperson with tangible (and often tasty!) results. While the sport is rewarding, it can also be extremely dangerous, and hunting accidents can be terribly tragic. Our Panama City hunting accident attorney encourages all hunters to make safety their number one priority.
As Thanksgiving Day approached, some grew excited about the big feast while others began dreaming of the Black Friday sales. Hunters had another reason to celebrate, as the holiday marked the start of the annual hunting season. Per WJHG, from November 28th through December 1st area hunters were permitted to target deer and wild boar using a variety of guns. While that session has now closed, a longer general hunting period is set for December 14 through February 22. Hunters should take note that special restrictions apply near Tyndall Air Force Base, where rifles are not permitted. Further details on the dates for Florida's 2013-2014 hunting season can be found on the website for Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ("FWC").
The FWC's website also details the state's hunting safety course requirements. Anyone born on June 1st, 1975 or later must complete a hunter safety course and present a valid certification card in order to obtain a Florida hunting license. A Hunter Safety Mentoring Exemption allows people over age 16 who would normally fall under the requirement to hunt under the supervision of a properly-licensed adult hunter without completing the course requirement.
Regardless of age, hunters should always make safety a top priority. HowStuffWorks notes that hundreds of hunters suffer injuries each year, and there are a range of causes beyond firearm accidents. In line with that reality, the site provides five basic tips for safe hunting:
Most hunters practice safe sporting habits. Unfortunately, there are exceptions, and their negligence can have tragic results. If the negligence of another hunter causes you injury or claims the life of a family member, please contact our Panama City injury lawyer. Together with his legal team, Attorney Pittman can help you recover monetary compensation and begin to move forward from the tragedy.