While hunting is considered one of the safest outdoor recreation sports accidents do occur, and often make the headlines. One of the saddest things about hunting accidents is that more often than not they involve friends accidentally shooting friends. Over 1,000 people are accidentally shot by hunters every year in Canada and the United States. There are several main reasons why shooting accidents occur.

The main reasons where accidental shooting occurs (not in order of frequency) are:

• Victim being out of sight of the shooter.
• Failure to identify the target.
• Victim moving into the line of fire.
• Swinging on game
• Careless handling of firearms
• Loading or unloading firearms
• Failure to check beyond the target
• Improper crossing of an obstacle
• Faulty equipment
• Falling

Non-shooting Accidents

Non shooting accidents can also occur when hunting. The most common of these is falling from tree stands. Injury can also occur from slipping and falling. Attacks from prey can also occur depending on what is being hunted with wild boar being the most likely to attack.

Biggest Safety Concern

Failure to identify the target is the biggest concern among researchers as it often ends in fatalities or serious injury and is often the hardest for personal injury claims to determine. Many hunters who accidentally shoot a fellow hunter find themselves facing manslaughter charges.

Safety Tips

Correctly identifying the target is the number one safety rule and there is concern at how often people fail to do so. This is often attributed to ‘buck fever’ where the hunter becomes so engrossed in the process of the chase that they forget this basic rule and shoot at any shape, color or movement sets them into fire.

Wearing brightly colored clothing to avoid mistaking the target is a requirement in nearly every country. In the United States blaze orange is specified as the legal color. Inspector Joe Green (from New Zealand) states that in some lighting conditions blaze orange can be seen as a deep red instead (the same color as deer). He suggests that light blue may actually have more contrast in most hunting environments.

There has also been concern that ‘hunter density’ can contribute to accidents, in times where there are many hunting parties in a small area. Statistics show though that 65% of the time the shooter and the victim are from the same hunting party.

Hunting safety classes should really be a necessity for those intending to hunt. The risks involved for uneducated hunters and others in the area are just too great. Even experienced hunters should take the time to re-read the rules at the beginning of any hunting season.

Keeping equipment, particularly firearms in good shape can also reduce the risk of accidental injury. Hunters should always wear appropriate clothing that makes them clearly identifiable and have a solid means of communication open with others they are hunting with.

Along with following the basics, one of the main things each hunter needs to do is keep a level head. Always, always – Think before you shoot. Being involved in a hunting accident can change lives forever.

If you have been the victim of a hunting accident, seek legal counsel from the injury attorneys at Ken Allen Law.