5 Most Common Hunting Accidents

The acronym TABK will help remind you of the simple rules that could save lives. In order to prevent accidents, Treat every firearm like it is loaded, Always point a firearm in a safe direction, Be sure of your target and anything that is past your target, and Keep you finger off the trigger until you are going to shoot.

Firing Outside of a Safe Zone

According to the International Hunter Education Association, the most common hunting accidents occur when the shooter is swinging on game that is not within a safe zone of fire. This usually occurs when a shooter is aiming for a moving target. While following the moving target, a shooter may point his firearm at another hunter. In order to prevent these accidents, safe zones of fire must be set.

Identifying a Target

The second most common hunting accident occurs when a there is failure to identify a target. This happens when a shooter aims and fires at a target but has actually incorrectly identified his target. This means that a shooter may have mistaken a fellow hunter for an animal. A good way to prevent these types of accidents is to be aware of your surrounds and other hunters and to wear clothing items with Hunter Orange.

Mishandling a Firearm

A hunter’s careless handling of his firearm also causes some hunting accidents. Mishandling of firearms can be prevented by first and foremost making sure that only those trained to use a firearm have access to a firearm. Make sure to keep firearms locked and out of the reach of children. Make sure to keep the code or the key to the locked cabinet in a safe spot only you can locate. Other tips to avoid mishandling of firearms include keeping trigger locks on your firearms and removing ammunition from a firearm when it is not in use.

Target Misidentification

Another common circumstance that can cause a hunting accident is when a victim may be out of sight of the shooter or the victim enters the line of fire. Accident prevention starts with education. Encourage your fellow hunters to participate in a hunter education program. This will help foster a community of hunters who will be committed to abiding by the same simple rules that will help keep everyone safe.

Night Shooting

Lastly, many common hunting accidents occur around dusk when the there is less natural light. When thinking about your next hunting trip, plan on getting to your destination early so you can get a full day in before the sun sets. Another factor to keep in mind is that around the end of the day fatigue may be a factor in causing hunting accidents. Take frequent breaks during the day and know when to call it quits because safety is the first priority when hunting.