Another popular firearm hunting season starts tomorrow in Iowa and officials are stressing safety.

Greene County Conservation Director Tanner Scheuermann says the second shotgun season is from December 11th-19th. Last week the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported a fatal hunting accident from the first shotgun season. Scheuermann talks about some safety reminders for hunters to be aware of.

“Shotgun hunting, pretty notorious for group hunting, which is great and it is legal (in Iowa), but there are a lot of people sometimes in those groups. So again, if you’re out in those areas, just be aware of your surroundings. On the hunting side of things, basic 101, hunter safety 101: always treat your gun as if it is loaded, keep your gun in the air, always know where it’s pointed. Those types of things are going to keep you the safest and again, just being aware.”

Scheuermann adds that hunters are required to wear at least a blaze orange vest for shotgun season. He says some popular public hunting areas in Greene County include the Ruth-Hansen Wildlife and Bristol Wildlife areas.