Hunting Safety Videos. What goes in a good one?

[Gunslingergirl]

GSI is considering creating a line of hunting safety and hunter education DVDs. We've done a few shorter videos and now want to try and do some longer format stuff. Since our mission is to create products that enhance hunter safety, we think safety DVDs would be a nice addition to our product line.

I could really use some advice and information from those on this forum. First of all, do you think people would buy and/or watch these DVDs. Would instructors use them in classes?

Also, what goes into a good hunter safety DVD? Should we show the right and the wrong way to do things? Should we divide the DVD into sections, so people can just watch the one's they want to watch. Should we cover basic or more advanced safety tips or both.

There is potential for this to become a series, if the first one sells well, so I'm looking for ideas for the first one and for potential future DVDs. Any advice, tips or information any of you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

GSG

[Aim to maim]

Although I can't give you specific titles or sources, I believe you will find there are some already out there. State wildlife agencies use them frequently in teaching mandatory hunter safety education courses.

You might want to make sure the market is not already saturated before you pursue this much farther.

[Gunslingergirl]

I have done some research on that, and plan to do more. I'm with you, I don't want to go into an overcrowded market. I have had people tell me that they would be interested in seeing what we could do in this area, so I want to make sure I investigate all sides of the idea.

GSG

[popplecop]

Well I've involved in HS since 1968 and there are some excellent DVDs & videos around, but always room for better ones. Most of our visual aids are furnished by the state, some manufactures provide some. I would like a good DVD, 1 hr. in lenght covering the safe handling of firearms to include: the 6 basic action types and how they function, ammo types and distances down range, proper ways to cross fences. All the time stress the the 4 major rules of firearm handling. Another one could be done on elevated stand safety, there are some out there now. One should be done on hunter-landowner relationships and hunter ethics. I could rattle on but have to leave for turkey camp, back Sunday.

[Gunslingergirl]

Popplecop,

Thanks for the suggestions. That's the kind of information I need, as I understand there are many topics that could be covered.

Please keep the suggestions coming.

GSG

[Dom]

Good topic GSG. Another important area is "Shoot Don't Shoot" -- this is an old video but could be improved on. It depicts hunting situations and then stops the film with that question for a minute before continuing on. Things to consider are identification of what you might shoot at, is it a safe background, proper handling of weapons, etc. I think a 'Hunting Safety' film should include hunting scenarios in it, like you & popplecop said, you could do a series with like, range safety, hunting safety, stands/high seats, etc. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Gunslingergirl]

Dom,

I like that idea. "Shoot, Don't Shoot" could be a good tool to teach people how to recognize situations where it is unsafe to shoot.

I'm thinking this will probably become a DVD series. There are so many topics to cover and there is certainly enough information to fill several DVDs.

Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

GSG

[M.T. Pockets]

I'm a firearms safety instructor and we have a box set of DVD's from somewhere that we use each year.

One suggestion, keep them in topics that can be covered in about 15-20 minutes. That's about as long as you can keep kid's attention. It's also a good length to fit in your schedule when you're lecturing and have some time to fill.

Keep them simple, direct to the point and practical. I remember one that spent a half hour showing how to build water gathering pits in the desert. I simply told the kids "bring lots and lots of water if you go out in the desert and stay out of the sun".

[Gunslingergirl]

Thanks for the suggestion M.T. I sometimes have a bit of a problem with "keep it simple" so that's a good reminder.

I appreciate your comments.

GSG