"It is

of utmost importance that hunters know what will keep them and others

in the woods safe," says WRD State Hunter Safety Coordinator Capt.

James Bell. "Hunters should always make sure they identify their

target before pulling the trigger and never shoot at sound or movement."

While reported

incidents during wild turkey season remain low it is still important to

use the following safety strategies:

· Know

the range of the gun and the load. Time should be spent before hunting

season testing various loads at different distances.

· Scout

the terrain to be hunted. Become familiar with the area and make sure

you have permission to hunt on the property.

Always be 100

percent certain of the target before pulling the trigger. Never shoot

at sound or movement. Identify your target and make a clean shot.

Never wear

red, white, blue or black clothing when turkey hunting. Red is the color

most hunters look for to distinguish a gobbler's head from a hen's blue-colored

head. Male turkey feathers and the top of a male's head are black and

white. Camouflage should be used to cover everything, including the hunter's

face, hands and firearm.

Select a calling

position, such as the base of a tree that provides at least a shoulder-width

background. Make sure at least a 180-degree range can be seen.

Do not stalk

a gobbling turkey - he has keen eyesight and hearing and the chances of

getting close are slim, however, a moving hunter following a gobbling

turkey has an increased chance of being mistaken for game.

Be careful

using a turkey call. The sound and motion may attract other hunters. Do

not move, wave or make turkey-like sounds to alert another hunter to your

presence. Yell in a loud voice so that the other hunter knows you are

in the area.

Be careful

when carrying a harvested turkey from the woods. Do not allow the wings

to hang loosely or the head to be displayed in such a way that another

hunter may think it is a live bird. If possible, conceal the turkey in

a blaze orange garment or other material.

Hunters always

should wear blaze orange when moving to and from their vehicle and hunting

site. Also, anytime a hunter is moving between hunting sites they should

have blaze orange on their upper bodies to lessen the chances of being

mistaken for game.

Wild turkey

hunters must possess a valid hunting license and a big game license to

legally hunt turkeys in Georgia. If hunting on a wildlife management area

(WMA), hunters also should possess a WMA license. Sportsmen and women

always should be sure to get permission from the landowner before hunting

on private land. Only male turkeys may be harvested and the season bag

limit is three gobblers. WRD also reminds hunters that the 2002-2003 hunting

licenses expire at the end of March and they should purchase a new license

before hunting in April and May.

For more information

on turkey hunting safety, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact the nearest

WRD Law Enforcement Office or call 770-784-3068.

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