NY had second-safest hunting season in 2023:
https://auburnpub.com/news/local/gov...44e9be484647a9
"New York had its second-safest hunting season on record, according to statistics released by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
There were 12 hunting-related shooting incidents in 2023, tying 2019 for the second-lowest mark. The record low is nine in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Half of the 12 incidents involved two parties, meaning one hunter was shot by another. The other half were self-inflicted gunshots.
Two deaths were reported in Chenango and Wayne counties. In Wayne County, a hunter was removing a deer from a field when their shotgun accidentally discharged and shot their hunting partner in the chest. The Chenango County incident involved a hunter who was pulling a loaded gun into a tower stand when it discharged and hit them in the chest.
Although there were fatalities, the number of hunting-related shooting incidents was below the 10-year average of 15.4 in New York. The number of these incidents has fluctuated over the years, reaching a high of 23 in 2015. There were 22 in 2020 before declining over the past few years.
"Thanks to New York's Hunter Education Program and hunters following the rules of firearm safety, hunting continues to be a safe activity enjoyed by thousands of New Yorkers and visitors each year," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "Following proven hunting safety tips is the best way to keep hunting safe and prevent incidents in future seasons."
Hunting safety has improved since the 1960s. According to the DEC, there were 166 hunting-related shooting incidents in 1966. In the 1990s, the state averaged well over 50 hunting-related shooting incidents annually.
The department credited education programs, namely a course that is required for individuals seeking a hunting license, for improving hunter safety.
The primary rules of hunter safety, according to the DEC, include treating every firearm as if it's loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, identifying the target and what's beyond it, keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to fire and wearing orange or pink."
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
