In Alabama, deer hunting is a popular adventure and there is good news from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
In the 2021-22 season, there were zero fatalities due to hunting accidents. Outdoor Alabama shared the news after speaking with Hunter Education Coordinator Cpt. Marisa Futral. Futral said she hopes the trend continues into the 2022-23 season.
“There were no fatalities in firearms or treestand accidents,” Futral told Outdoor Alabama. “We had fewer treestand accidents than firearms incidents, which is unusual.”
During deer season, there were five treestand accidents and 10 firearms accidents reported last year. Four of the firearms accidents were self-inflicted.
“Those self-inflicted accidents include stumbling and falling, or the trigger got caught on an object,” Futral said. “The key is that the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. Be aware of where the muzzle is pointed just in case of an accidental discharge.”
Outdoor Alabama offers information on hunting, fishing and other game sports. Citizens may purchase licenses, view annual reports and read regulations online.
Officials with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources say hunting safety knowledge is important when it comes to preventing firearms incidents and treestand accidents. Since the department’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division has placed a priority on hunter safety, numbers show the efforts have worked. Since recordkeeping began in 1973, there had never been a year with zero hunting-related fatalities until last year.
View hunter safety tips and find out more about hunter education offered in Alabama by clicking here.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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