1/11/2007
Lincoln, Nebraska – Nebraska recorded no hunting-related fatalities and
only six nonfatal hunting-related shooting incidents during the 2006 hunting
seasons, according to Nebraska Game and Parks Hunter Education Coordinator Mike
Streeter, who said that is the best safety record since records first were kept
in 1958.
Streeter said all six of the hunting-related incidents reported to the
Commission last year in which a hunter was injured involved the discharge of a
firearm.
“Five of the accidents involved one hunter shooting another. The remaining
incident occurred when a hunter accidentally shot himself. One of the accidents
involved the discharge of a rifle, the other five involved the discharge of a
shotgun. There were no accidents involving a bow and arrow, handgun,
muzzleloader or crossbow.
Historically, hunters ages 10-19 are twice as likely to be involved in an
accident compared to all other age groups combined. The biggest cause of
accidents this year involved a hunter being shot with shotgun pellets while the
shooter was swinging on a flying game bird.
“A record low year like 2006 should be celebrated and all hunters in Nebraska
are being congratulated on their diligence and adherence to the rules of safety.
Hunter education classes are making a huge difference in Nebraska. The knowledge
and skills passed on by dedicated volunteer instructors do save lives.”
When the safety rules are violated, accidents are bound to happen. “All of the
incidents reported this year could have been prevented if the hunters involved
had followed the rules of safety taught during every hunter/bow hunter education
class,” Streeter said.
On a nationwide basis, hunting is one of the safest participatory sports. It
generally has an excellent safety record and has one of the lowest injury rates
per 100,000 participants of all other sports.
The total number of people who hunted in Nebraska during 2006 is not currently
available, but is generally around 130,000 to 150,000. That means that only
.00004 percent to .00005 percent of Nebraska hunters are ever involved in a
hunting accident in which someone is injured or killed, according to Streeter.
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