TEXAS HUNTING ACCIDENT PROFILE
• Violated a cardinal rule of hunter safety
• Anglo male; 29 years of age (average)
• Hunted deer with rifle; hog with handgun/rifle; or dove/quail with shotgun
• Was not under the influence of alcohol
• Did not attend a hunter education (safety) course or program
• Did not wear any type of hunter orange clothing
• Was situated in or around vehicle
• Sustained a non-fatal injury
• If not self-inflicted – swung shotgun on game outside of safe zone of fire
• Had over 10 years of hunting experience
• If self-inflicted – handled firearm carelessly in a stand/vehicle; carried loaded firearm in/around vehicle
• Distance of muzzle to wound was within 50 yards, mostly within 10 yards
• Victim was in light to open cover with clear visibility (weather)
• Accident occurred towards dusk; fatigue a factor
• Accident occurred on weekend during September or November
2008 Significant Factors
• Hunting and handling near/from vehicles and careless handling (lack of muzzle control with loaded firearm) main causes of accidents.
• Rifle incidents down in 2008.
• Increased number middle age or older shooters involved in incidents; less 20-year olds.
• All incidents down; Fatalities up and the number of dove hunting incidents up.
• Less hunter education graduates in the incident data and no reported alcohol use.
• Self inflicted accidents slightly higher.
• Number of law violations at time of incidents down slightly.
HUNTING ACCIDENT DATA (1966-2008)
ACCIDENT VERSUS LICENSES SOLD IN TEXAS
|
CALENDAR
YEAR
|
HUNTER
ACCIDENTS
|
HUNTING
LICENSES SOLD
|
ACCIDENTS PER
100,000 LICENSES
|
STUDENTS
CERTIFIED
|
|
1966
|
81
|
644,653
|
12.6
|
-
|
|
1967
|
93
|
797,846
|
11.7
|
-
|
|
1968
|
105
|
854,693
|
12.3
|
-
|
|
1969
|
92
|
895,593
|
10.3
|
-
|
|
1970
|
72
|
935,793
|
7.7
|
-
|
|
1971
|
92
|
978,285
|
9.4
|
-
|
|
1972
|
85
|
966,332
|
8.8
|
2,119
|
|
1973
|
80
|
1,011,963
|
7.9
|
4,314
|
|
1974
|
68
|
1,037,925
|
6.6
|
6,094
|
|
1975
|
77
|
1,051,834
|
7.3
|
8,531
|
|
1976
|
63
|
1,050,349
|
6.0
|
10,043
|
|
1977
|
81
|
1,080,530
|
7.5
|
11,298
|
|
1978
|
83
|
1,091,794
|
7.6
|
10,890
|
|
1979
|
53
|
1,093,716
|
4.8
|
10,775
|
|
1980
|
69
|
1,160,375
|
5.9
|
12,166
|
|
1981
|
72
|
1,174,023
|
6.1
|
13,187
|
|
1982
|
97
|
1,216,032
|
8.0
|
13,323
|
|
1983
|
80
|
1,325,474
|
6.0
|
14,131
|
|
1984
|
60
|
1,140,174
|
5.3
|
13,052
|
|
1985
|
72
|
1,100,991
|
6.5
|
11,284
|
|
1986
|
68
|
1,162,785
|
5.8
|
11,195
|
|
1987
|
81
|
1,189,566
|
6.8
|
8,611
|
|
1988 (Mandatory HE)
|
70
|
1,189,000
|
5.9
|
18,043
|
|
1989
|
78
|
1,193,000
|
6.5
|
36,708
|
|
1990
|
53
|
1,132,917
|
4.7
|
24,590
|
|
1991
|
81
|
1,103,903
|
7.3
|
28,682
|
|
1992
|
62
|
1,053,063
|
5.9
|
25,453
|
|
1993
|
58
|
1,077,055
|
5.4
|
26,942
|
|
1994
|
51
|
1,083,227
|
4.7
|
34,972
|
|
1995
|
40
|
1,060,000
|
3.8
|
31,215
|
|
1996
|
31
|
990,000
|
3.1
|
24,998
|
|
1997
|
51
|
960,000
|
5.3
|
30,625
|
|
1998
|
40
|
1,011,500
|
3.9
|
31,052
|
|
1999
|
44
|
1,010,455
|
4.3
|
37,775
|
|
2000
|
52
|
1,145,000
|
4.5
|
39,049
|
|
2001
|
43
|
1,076,159
|
4.0
|
28,062
|
|
2002
|
35
|
1,024,495
|
3.4
|
37,847
|
|
2003
|
44
|
1,082,225
|
4.1
|
33,769
|
|
2004
|
29
|
1,091,178
|
2.7
|
31,171
|
|
2005
|
31
|
1,082,593
|
2.9
|
31,442
|
|
2006
|
32
|
1,115,772
|
2.9
|
29,532
|
|
2007
|
30
|
1,112,099
|
2.7
|
30,960
|
|
2008
|
26
|
993,533
|
2.6
|
32,308
|
|
TOTALS
|
2,705
|
45,547,900
|
5.9
|
806,208
|
* PRIOR TO MANDATORY HUNTER EDUCATION - One hunting accident/13,318 hunting licenses sold.
* AFTER MANDATORY HUNTER EDUCATION - One hunting accident/23,025 hunting licenses sold.
TEXAS HUNTING ACCIDENTS 1966-2008
|
CALENDAR YEAR
|
FATAL
|
NON-FATAL
|
TOTAL
|
|
1966
|
28
|
53
|
81
|
|
1967
|
23
|
70
|
93
|
|
1968
|
37
|
68
|
105
|
|
1969
|
24
|
68
|
92
|
|
1970
|
19
|
53
|
72
|
|
1971
|
24
|
68
|
92
|
|
1972
|
30
|
55
|
85
|
|
1973
|
22
|
58
|
80
|
|
1974
|
16
|
52
|
68
|
|
1975
|
11
|
66
|
77
|
|
1976
|
11
|
52
|
63
|
|
1977
|
17
|
64
|
81
|
|
1978
|
20
|
63
|
83
|
|
1979
|
10
|
43
|
53
|
|
1980
|
13
|
56
|
69
|
|
1981
|
19
|
53
|
72
|
|
1982
|
23
|
74
|
97
|
|
1983
|
17
|
63
|
80
|
|
1984
|
21
|
39
|
60
|
|
1985
|
15
|
57
|
72
|
|
1986
|
13
|
55
|
68
|
|
1987
|
12
|
69
|
81
|
|
MANDATORY HUNTER EDUCATION
|
|
1988
|
12
|
58
|
70
|
|
1989
|
12
|
66
|
78
|
|
1990
|
8
|
45
|
53
|
|
1991
|
13
|
68
|
81
|
|
1992
|
6
|
56
|
62
|
|
1993
|
6
|
52
|
58
|
|
1994
|
5
|
46
|
51
|
|
1995
|
4
|
36
|
40
|
|
1996
|
2
|
29
|
31
|
|
1997
|
8
|
43
|
51
|
|
1998
|
3
|
37
|
40
|
|
1999
|
6
|
38
|
44
|
|
2000
|
8
|
44
|
52
|
|
2001
|
3
|
40
|
43
|
|
2002
|
3
|
32
|
35
|
|
2003
|
2
|
42
|
44
|
|
2004
|
4
|
25
|
29
|
|
2005
|
2
|
29
|
31
|
|
2006
|
4
|
28
|
32
|
|
2007
|
4
|
26
|
30
|
|
2008
|
6
|
20
|
26
|
|
TOTALS
|
546
|
2,159
|
2,705
|
TEXAS HUNTING ACCIDENT TOTALS 2008
HUNTING ACCIDENT: An accident/incident resulting from a discharge of a firearm or bow while hunting, which causes the injury or death of any person(s).
|
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
ACCIDENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Accidents
|
32
|
30
|
26
|
|
Fatal
|
4
|
4
|
6
|
|
Non-Fatal
|
28
|
26
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANIMAL HUNTED
|
|
|
|
|
Dove
|
6 (19%)
|
5 (17%)
|
7 (27%)
|
|
White-tailed Deer
|
6 (19%)
|
8 (27%)
|
5 (19%)
|
|
Rabbit/Hare
|
4 (13%)
|
2 (7%)
|
1 (4%)
|
|
Feral Hog
|
4 (13%)
|
5 (17%)
|
5 (19%)
|
|
Quail/Pheasant
|
1 (3%)
|
4 (13%)
|
3 (11%)
|
|
Turkey
|
0
|
1 (3%)
|
0
|
|
Ducks/Geese
|
3 (9%)
|
1 (3%)
|
1 (3%)
|
|
Coyote
|
1 (3%)
|
0
|
2 (8%)
|
|
Squirrel
|
4 (12%)
|
1 (3%)
|
0
|
|
Misc. (Bobcats)
|
3 (9%)
|
3 (10%)
|
2 (8%)
|
|
TOTAL
|
32 (100%)
|
30 (100%)
|
26 (100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HUNTER JUDGMENT
|
|
|
|
|
Victim out of sight of shooter/moved into line of fire
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
|
Victim covered by shooter swinging on game
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
|
Victim mistaken for game
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
10
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SAFETY & LAW VIOLATION
|
|
|
|
|
Removing/placing firearm in vehicle
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
Discharge of firearm in/on vehicle
|
1
|
8
|
6
|
|
Improper crossing of obstacle; walking with loaded firearm
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Firearm fell from insecure rest/using firearm as a club
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
|
Alcohol, drugs or horseplay
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
6
|
12
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHOOTER HAD COMPLETED HUNTER ED.
|
13 (41%)
|
12 (40%)
|
7 (27%)
|
|
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
VIOLATED GAME LAW
|
12 (38%)
|
9 (30%)
|
7 (27%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUIPMENT TYPE
|
|
|
|
|
Rifles
|
11 (34%)
|
13 (43%)
|
9 (35%)
|
|
Shotguns
|
16 (50%)
|
13 (43%)
|
13 (50%)
|
|
Handguns
|
4 (13%)
|
3 (10%)
|
4 (15%)
|
|
Muzzleloader
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Bow
|
1 (3%)
|
1 (4%)
|
0
|
|
TOTAL
|
31 (100%)
|
32 (100%)
|
26 (100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHOOTER’S AGE
|
|
|
|
|
0-9
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
10-19
|
10 (32%)
|
6 (20%)
|
5 (19%)
|
|
20-29
|
4 (13%)
|
8 (27%)
|
3 (12%)
|
|
30-39
|
2 (6%)
|
4 (13%)
|
5 (19%)
|
|
40-49
|
7 (22%)
|
4 (13%)
|
5 (19%)
|
|
50-59
|
3 (9%)
|
4 (13%)
|
2 (8%)
|
|
60 & over
|
3 (9%)
|
3 (10%)
|
4 (15%)
|
|
Unknown
|
3 (9%)
|
1 (4%)
|
2 (8%)
|
|
TOTAL
|
32 (100%)
|
30 (100%)
|
26 (100%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS/TREE STAND FACTOR
|
|
|
|
|
Failure to use haul line
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
Obstruction in Barrel
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Faulty Equipment
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
|
TOTAL
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SKILL AND APTITUDE
|
|
|
|
|
Loading/unloading gun
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
|
Careless handling
|
10
|
5
|
6
|
|
Careless handling while climbing into/out of tree stand
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Dropped firearm
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
|
Shooter stumbled and fell
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
6
|
15
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SELF-INFLICTED
|
18 (56%)
|
12 (40%)
|
12 (46%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALCOHOL/DRUGS A FACTOR
|
2 (6%)
|
1 (3%)
|
0
|
Hunting Accident Report
Non-Firearm Related
2008
*Accidents/incidents while hunting, not involving the discharge of a firearm or bow, which causes injury or death of any person(s).
|
Type
|
Total
|
Fatal?
|
Comments
|
|
Fall From Elevated Stand
|
1
|
Yes
|
Victim fell from an elevated tower stand while spraying for wasps. He impaled himself onto a “T” post approximately 8 to 10 feet from the stand.
|
|
Fall From Tree Stand
|
1
|
No
|
Victim fell while descending from tree stand about 20 ft. high, breaking his left femur and right wrist. He was not using a fall restraint device or climbing system.
|
Shooting Accidents
Non-Hunting Related
*Other reported accidents/incidents resulting from the discharge of a firearm/bow, which causes the injury or death of any person(s), other than while hunting.
|
Type
|
Total
|
Fatal?
|
Comments
|
|
Home Firearm Accident
|
1
|
Yes
|
Shooter was showing victim how to use the victim’s new, loaded, .45 cal. handgun. Victim grabbed for his gun and he and shooter carelessly discharged it into the victim’s abdomen in the process.
|
|
Vehicle Accident/Scouting Trip
|
2
|
No
|
After returning from a scouting trip, 18-year old shooter carelessly discharged his shotgun while unloading it near the rear of his truck. Pellets struck both his father and his brother – the former in the hand and the latter in the side.; While packing up a vehicle, victim tucked loaded, holstered handgun under his arm. He dropped the .22 mag and it discharged –sending the bullet through his forearm.
|
|
Plinking/Shooting
|
1
|
No
|
15-year old victim was carelessly handling and twirling his cousin’s .22 cal. handgun, brought on the trip to plink with. Shooter thought the gun was unloaded and twirled and “fired the gun like a cowboy.” The muzzle was pointed towards his abdomen at the time of discharge. Victim was driven to an ambulance and careflighted to a nearby hospital.
|
2008 FATAL ACCIDENTS
|
Date
|
County
|
Shooter’s Age/Gender
|
Firearm
|
Animal Hunted
|
Self-Inflicted?
|
Hunter Ed? (Shooter)
|
|
1-5
|
Chambers
|
46/M
|
Shotgun
|
Waterfowl
|
Yes
|
No
|
Comments: Shooter placed loaded shotgun in the bed of his pickup alongside his retriever. As he approached the muzzle end of the gun, he and/or the dog caused it to discharge. The pellets struck him in the femoral artery.
Prevention: Always point the muzzle in a safe direction; never walk in front of a muzzle; always unload firearm when not in use; for transport, store unloaded firearm in a secure case separate from ammunition; complete hunter education.
|
1-6
|
Somervell
|
19/M
|
Handgun
|
Rabbit
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Comments: Shooter carelessly discharged his .22 cal. pistol while sitting down on a rock. This incident was ruled an accidental discharge and not a suicide even though shooter was by himself and the bullet struck him point blank through the cheek and up through his brain.
Prevention: Always point muzzle in a safe direction; handle firearms carefully; use a holster, two-hand or another proper carry method while hunting or sitting down; always control muzzle if tripping or falling; leave safety mechanism on until firing the shot; unload firearm when not in use; apply what is learned in hunter education
|
2-6
|
Clay
|
81/M
|
Shotgun
|
Quail
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Comments: Apparently, shooter carelessly discharged his shotgun while exiting the woods. Pellets struck him in the brachial artery, and after walking an additional 40 feet, he bled to death. He was hunting alone and had not returned to camp to the concern of the ranch foreman.
Prevention: Always point muzzle in a safe direction; handle firearms carefully and use a two-hand or another proper carry method while hunting; always control muzzle if tripping or falling; leave the safety mechanism on until firing the shot; apply what was learned in hunter education.
|
6-11
|
Lavaca
|
63/M
|
Rifle
|
Coyote
|
No
|
No
|
Comments: Shooter attempted to untangle his semi-automatic rifle from brush, when he carelessly discharged it towards his 14-year old grandson who was walking in front of him. Bullet struck victim in the spine in the center of his back.
Prevention: Always point muzzle in a safe direction; treat every firearm as if it is loaded; handle firearms carefully; control the muzzle and use a proper carry at all times; communicate with fellow hunters; leave the safety mechanism on until firing the shot; complete hunter education.
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