What is the first step to take when raising your firearm into a tree stand?

The first step to take when raising your firearm into a tree stand is to check that the gun is unloaded and prove it safe. This is critical to ensure the safety of both the hunter and anyone else in the vicinity. By confirming that the firearm is unloaded, you eliminate the risk of accidental discharge while maneuvering the firearm into a potentially precarious position, such as a tree stand. Ensuring that the firearm is safe to handle is a fundamental precaution that every responsible hunter must prioritize.

This practice aligns with hunter safety principles that emphasize the importance of handling firearms with care and respect. Making sure that the firearm is unloaded is a vital step in preventing accidents. Other steps, such as ensuring the safety is on or securing the firearm with a rope, are also important but do not take precedence over confirming that the firearm is indeed unloaded before any handling.