When my 3 boys were young and needed a parent to sit with them we always loaded the gun once we were settled in the stand/blind. When they got old enough to sit by themselves I told them they could load their guns in the morning before walking out but not chamber a round until in the stand. I found out my oldest was loading a round in the chamber before walking out. We had a discussion about it and he was told safety first or no hunting. Well as luck would have it he forgot to chamber a round when in the stand and had a very nice 8pt 15yds from him and gun went click. We still give him crap for it but I tell all my kids no deer is worth their life or someone else’s.
It’s not just kids either, I have heard many stories as I’m sure you all have as well about adults making mistakes weather new to hunting or experienced so this is a good reminder that we all need to do our part to be safe and educate others if we see something wrong.
