SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - For the 2010-2011 hunting season, Georgia reported 44 hunting incidents, 22 of which involved firearms. With the upcoming Oct. 22 opening of firearms deer hunting season, review the 'Four Primary Rules of Firearms Safety' before heading to the woods.

"Ultimately, each hunter is responsible for keeping themselves and others safe while pursuing deer this hunting season," says Walter Lane, hunter development program manager of the Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division. "This includes respecting all firearms safety rules and being absolutely certain of their target and what is in front of it and beyond it."

The 'Four Primary Rules of Firearms Safety' is an excellent safety checklist, covered in all hunter education courses and well worth a review by any hunter who utilizes firearms to hunt. The Four Primary Rules of Firearms Safety, which can easily be remembered with the acronym ACTT, are as follows:

1. A - Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

2. C - Control the muzzle of the firearm at all times.

3. T - Be certain of the Target and what is in front of it and beyond it.

4. T - Keep your finger outside of the Trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

For more information on firearms safety, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com or contact the Wildlife Resources Division's Hunter Education office at (770) 761-3010.