A safety on a safety.

The first 2 years I went bird hunting, or deer stalking as a boy, I didn't even need a safe on my gun, let alone a bolted safety, because I didn't have a gun, my father made me carry a wooden cut out of one.

However, although it was only made of wood, I was carefully observed by my peers, who gave me a good clip around the ear if I wrongly pointed that wooden gun at anyone or anything . The same applied when I was crossing fences and ditches, if I didn't hold that wooden gun in a safe fashion.

I guess I learned about safety and safety's the hard way, Every year I was presented with the ELEY diary, in which there was written

"a fathers advice to his son".

If a sportsman true you’d be
Listen carefully to me. . .

Never, never let your gun
Pointed be at anyone.
That it may unloaded be
Matters not the least to me.

When a hedge or fence you cross
Though of time it cause a loss
From your gun the cartridge take
For the greater safety’s sake.

If twixt you and neighbouring gun
Bird shall fly or beast may run
Let this maxim ere be thine
“Follow not across the line.”

Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen.
Calm and steady always be
“Never shoot where you can’t see.”

You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think this:
“All the pheasants ever bred
Won’t repay for one man dead.”

Keep your place and silent be;
Game can hear, and game can see;
Don’t be greedy, better spared
Is a pheasant, than one shared.