What should a hunter check on a firearm before handing it to another person?

Before handing a firearm to another person, it is crucial to open the action and check the safety because this ensures the gun is in a safe condition for handling. By opening the action, the person can visually and physically confirm whether there is a round in the chamber and whether the firearm is unloaded. This step is essential for promoting safety and preventing accidents, as knowing the status of the firearm helps mitigate any risk associated with handling it.

Ensuring the safety is also an important aspect; it allows the handler to know that the firearm cannot be fired unintentionally. Checking the safety mechanism can prevent the firearm from being discharged accidentally when being handled by someone else. Additionally, while checking the caliber and ensuring the gun is clean are important practices in firearm maintenance and operation, they are not directly related to ensuring the immediate safety of transferring the firearm to another individual. Making sure the gun is unloaded is a critical part of this safety check but is encompassed in the broader practice of opening the action and checking the firearm thoroughly.