Rod Slings Quotations

We're still in good shape with the numbers. When we put out as many deer hunting tags as we do, and when we have as many opportunities for hunters as we do, we're still below the national average of 5.4 incidents per 100,000 hunters.

Since spring turkey hunting can often be a solitary event, it is really important for hunters to leave a hunting plan with someone before they head out to the woods. Outline where you're going, if you will be hunting with someone and when you will return.

My first reaction is that this type of accident can happen to anyone, even a seasoned hunter.

There is a passion to turkey hunting that is hard to describe unless you've been out there as the woods have woken up. I know turkey hunters who have been waiting for this day since last May.

Knowing what is behind your target is your responsibility also. When in doubt, don't pull the trigger.

Knowing it is, in fact, a turkey, by positively identifying the beard and spurs of a turkey, and knowing what is behind the target is key. Think about who you go hunting with - it's people close to you: your family and your friends. Practice safe hunting. The ultimate goal is for everyone to get home at the end of the day.

We had a lot of injuries that were the result of individuals not following proper gun-handling safety precautions. We always stress that hunters don't point the gun at their toe and don't point a gun with the safety off.

We do a very thorough job of investigating incidents and then taking that information and passing it on to our instructors so they know what to emphasize in their training programs. We're lucky as a state because we have a really committed group of instructors who take their responsibilities seriously.

We do a thorough job of investigating incidents that occur, and we take that information and we put it into the hands of our 1,800 volunteer instructors. I attribute it to their hard work and dedication in getting that education into the classroom.

You pick up a gun, you pick up the responsibility. If someone falls behind, wait for him to get caught up. If someone loses a bird, stop and wait.

It's been one of the most successful safety programs on record, reducing the number of hunting related shootings. Whenever you pick up a firearm, you are picking up a responsibility.

Swinging on game is when the (bird) gets up and the shotgun is swung to the left or right, following that bird. Make sure you don't violate your zone of fire, that 'V' out in front of you. Also, know where your hunting companions are at all times.

It was one of those cases that we always warn hunters about that you never fire if you don't know where that slug is going to end up.

That's fairly normal. We don't have as many duck hunters, and this year, there weren't that many ducks in central Iowa to lure out hunters.

The key is to plan your hunt ... and then hunt your plan. If you say you are going to be in a particular area during a deer drive, for instance, stay in that area. Remember, the people you choose to hunt with are your family and closest friends.

You want to be identified as a person from all directions walking in and out of the woods. Turkeys don't wear blaze orange.