NYS DEC ~~~2016 Hunting accident numbers

[Jmac00]

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that the 2016 hunting season in New York had only 13 hunting-related shooting incidents, the lowest number on record since DEC began compiling hunting-related shooting statistics in 1958.

"Hunting is a proud tradition in New York State that continues to be safely enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors each year," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "The trend of declining hunting accidents is proof that our Sportsman Education Program is working thanks, in large part, to the efforts of the 3,000 volunteer instructors that teach our hunter safety courses every year."

Of the 13 hunting-related shooting incidents in 2016, seven incidents were self-inflicted and six incidents involved more than one person. In 2015, there were 23 incidents. In 1966, there were 166 incidents, 13 of which were fatal.

Despite these low numbers, there were four fatalities in 2016 - two two-party incidents and two self-inflicted incidents.

"While hunting is safer than ever, accidents can still happen," Seggos said. "It is important to remember that every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable. We urge every hunter going afield this year to wear hunter orange. It's the smart thing to do."

This year's report indicated that eight of the people involved in multi-party incidents were not wearing hunter orange.

With approximately 500,000 licensed hunters spending an estimated 10 to 15 million days afield each year, New York continues its trend of declining hunting-related shooting incidents, with the incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) declining almost 80 percent since the 1960s. The past five-year average is down to 3.5 incidents per 100,000 hunters, compared to 19 per 100,000 in the 1960s.

 

[UltraT]

I feel sorry for the people hurt, but those numbers look about as good as possible give or take a few.

 

[vanderblack]

I am sure Cuomo will state the SAFE act is responsible.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I am sure Cuomo will state the SAFE act is responsible.

Keep in mind gun grabbers refer to hunting rifles as sniper rifles.

 

[Criticalt]

I think 13 is alot.
Careless and dumb people I guess.

 

[vanderblack]

Considering how many people from NYC flood the woods in upstate, who, except for hunting season never touch their guns, 13 is not too bad. I would love to know how many of the 13 are fudds.

 

[Podmonkey]

The majortiy of those accidents occurred in this one incident, which was caught on video:

 

[Eddie Gunks]

"fatal self inflicted" sounds like suicide. they should take out 2. so it should be 11.

 

[Jmac00]

oddly, not one fatality was from a scary Black, baby killing anti-tank AR-15....that safe act crap is working?????