I'm not saying that I disagree with you when it comes to hunters in general, but I can guarantee you that very many soldiers worldwide have their safeties off when walking around with loaded rifles. The safety they use is the one between their ears, having their trigger finger alongside the trigger guard until ready to fire, and keeping their barrel pointed in as safe a direction as possible. Just like they've been drilled to do under stress.

And if a soldier is able to do so safely even when surrounded by team mates front and back in a CQB situation, why shouldn't a hunter? Providing he/she drills as much as they should of course.

Not that all hunters are able to reach that level of training (in fact I'd say the majority should definitely have the safety on until mounting their rifle/shotgun), but just pointing out that there are actually grey areas when it comes to what can be considered safe and un-safe gun handling procedures.

Just as JPK mentions though, I've never had trouble flicking off the safety on my shotgun when hunting birds, and do so when shooting clay pigeons too just for the practice/drill. Still, I find it most reassuring to keep my finger along the trigger guard until I shoot, regardless of which position the safety is in. I almost feel physically ill when I see some bozo with his finger inside the trigger guard while sneaking in on game, even if only on film...

Erik