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Pennsylvania’s two-week rifle deer season, concluding December 12, was marred by tragedy, resulting in two fatalities and three nonfatal injuries across five counties, according to preliminary reports released by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Several of the incidents involved hunters either shooting members of their own hunting party or suffering self-inflicted wounds, raising renewed concerns about hunter safety and adherence to fundamental firearm handling practices.
Rising Concerns Despite Long-Term Safety Improvements
The pennsylvania Game Commission investigated at least five hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) during the season. While the number represents a continuation of a long-term decline in such incidents, officials stressed that even a single preventable injury is unacceptable. A communications director for the Game Commission stated,”One incident is too many. Especially when you’re talking about preventable incidents that tie back to breaking the preliminary rules of safe gun handling or safe shooting.”
The agency currently reports 11 HRSIs for the full calendar year, a meaningful decrease from decades past when hundreds of incidents were recorded annually. However, investigations are ongoing, and the final tally may increase as minor incidents are fully reviewed.
Incident Details Reveal Common Themes
The incidents investigated highlight recurring patterns of unsafe practices.On November 29, in Crawford County, a 25-year-old man accidentally shot a 24-year-old member of his hunting party during a deer drive. The victim sustained a nonfatal leg injury. Similarly, on December 2 in Juniata County, a 26-year-old hunter was fatally struck in the hip by a shot fired by a 20-year-old during another deer drive, as a deer moved back through the line of drivers.
Tragically, December 2 also saw a 16-year-old from North Carolina suffer a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound while hunting alone in a box blind in Crawford County. Two additional nonfatal,self-inflicted gunshot wounds were reported on December 6 in Venango County,where an 18-year-old shot his foot while seated with a rifle pointed in that direction,and on December 7 in Erie County,where an 18-year-old’s rifle discharged after his sling broke,causing a foot injury.
Preventable Errors Dominate Incident reports
According to the Game Commission,the vast majority of HRSIs are preventable. A senior official emphasized that basic safe gun handling – keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, ensuring the safety is engaged, and keeping a finger off the trigger – is paramount.While the incident involving the broken rifle sling was described as more unusual, the official noted that even in such cases, preventative measures could potentially mitigate risk.
“There are some accidents that are somewhat freak accidents. But most of what we see for HRSIs are preventable incidents,” the official stated.
Deer Drives and Safe Shooting Practices
A recurring theme in the reported incidents involves deer drives, where hunters attempt to move deer towards stationary shooters. The Game Commission stressed the importance of situational awareness during these drives, notably regarding the potential for deer to move back towards the line of drivers.
“That’s preventable because whenever there’s a doubt, you shouldn’t shoot,” the official explained. Hunters are urged to ensure a safe backdrop beyond the deer and to communicate effectively with other drivers, vocalizing their positions to avoid accidental shootings. “You need to be mindful that you can’t put (other hunters) in jeopardy with a shot,that you can’t shoot once you’ve turned back toward the line. And if you don’t have a safe backdrop, you can’t shoot at all.”
Hunter Education and Ongoing Investigations
Pennsylvania requires all hunters to complete a Hunter Trapper education course before obtaining a license. as of December 12,no charges have been filed in connection with the five investigated incidents,but investigations remain ongoing. The Game Commission continues to emphasize the importance of responsible firearm handling and adherence to safety regulations to minimize the risk of future incidents. No shooting incidents were reported during the rifle black bear season this fall.
