2022 hunting season tied for the lowest number of shooting incidents in NY's history
The 2022 hunting season was tied for the safest in New York’s history.
Which is great, but not good enough.
There were nine shooting-related incidents recorded last season, with one fatality. However, four other hunters died in falls from tree stands or other elevated positions. That is a discouraging statistic, for sure.
There also were nine shooting incidents and one fatality in 2021, the safest year on record up to that time.
Of course — we write this every year — one fatality is one too many, and we won’t be happy until the total is zero year after year after year.
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Hunting remains a safe sport in New York, with an incident rate is 1.5 per 100,000. The total number of incidents is just a small fraction of the number that occurred before the state’s pioneering hunter education program was inaugurated in 1949. Back then, it was common to have more than 100 incidents, and fatalities sometimes were in double figures.
The lone fatality in 2022 occurred in May in Schoharie County. A 76-year-old turkey hunter with more than 30 years’ experience was in a tree stand when he unintentionally discharged his firearm, striking himself in his hand and head.
The other incidents:
In Cayuga County a coyote hunter, 52, slipped and fell, leading to the discharge of his firearm. His companion was struck in the hand and stomach.
In Genesee County a woodchuck hunter – 88 years old with 73 years of hunting experience – unintentionally discharged his firearm, striking himself in the hand.
In Warren County a waterfowl hunter, 57, struck a hiker with Number 4 shot.
In Madison County a hunter, 42, with two years’ experience, unintentionally discharged his firearm, striking himself in the foot and toe.
In Tioga County a hunter, 70, with 40 years’ experience, fired and struck a member of his party while shooting at a deer.
In Wyoming County a hunter, 60, with 40 years’ experience, shot at a running deer and struck another hunter 700 yards away. The victim got away with a slightly bruised abdomen.
In Cattaraugus County a hunter, 18, with two years’ experience, shot himself while riding as a passenger on an ATV.
In Ulster County a hunter, 50, with two years’ experience, unintentionally fired his crossbow, sending the bolt through his thigh.
The 13 tree stand incidents, now listed as Elevated Hunting Incidents, almost all involved hunters of long experience and mature age. In all but one case, no harness was employed. That involved an 82-year-old man who had been hunting for 60 years. He suffered cardiac arrest and fell, with the buckle of the harness breaking. He died when he fell to the ground.
The reports on the other fatalities — one hunter fell 25 feet and suffered massive and fatal injuries — are extremely sad to read. Six incidents involved hang-on stands, with three ladder stands, two homemade tree stands, and a climbing stand and tower also included.
The greatest number of hunters listed in the reports, both in shooting and Elevated Hunting Incidents, were older, with many years of experience. Considering it is likely the bulk of hunters in the state are past the age of 30, you would expect older hunters to be show up significantly in these statistics. However, that also suggests that age and experience do not a guarantee hunting safety.
In fact, it might suggest that veteran hunters might have a false sense of security or might be a bit complacent. It makes me think that retaking the hunter education course later in life might not be a bad idea. Certainly, reviewing safety procedures — there are plenty of articles and videos online — before each season is a good idea. Information on the state’s hunter education program is available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html.
The Department of Environmental Conservation points out that the recently released incident report is not final, because there might be ongoing investigations. Also, the report involves only incidents involving firearms, bows, and crossbows. Other fatalities as the result of health issues or perhaps motor vehicle accidents are not included.The report is available on line at https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/127198.html.
Notebook
Youth turkey hunt coming up
The annual area Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend will be held April 22 and 23.
Sponsored by the Sportsmen of Oneida County, the Affiliated Conservation Clubs of Madison County, and the Madison County National Wild Turkey Federation, the hunt offers youngsters to hunt with a mentor. Environmental Conservation Officers from Region 6 and Region 7 of the Department of Environmental Conservation will assist in the program.
A training day will be held April 8 under the supervision of certified instructors.
Applications are available at cnymyhunts.org and can be returned to sfcf@tds.net by April 1. Information is available by calling 315-225-0192.
ECOs Steven Lakeman, Ricardo Grisolini honored
Environmental Conservation Officers Steven Lakeman of Region 6 and Ricardo Grisolini of Region 7 were honored as Sportsmen of the Year at the recent CNY Sportsman Show in Oneida.
The award recognizes those who support and participate in mentoring opportunities for women and youth in the outdoors, including the youth turkey hunt mentioned above. Lakeman and Grisolini were honored for the countless hours of instruction and education during their careers. Both ECOs have played important roles in the success of the youth turkey and waterfowl hunts in Oneida and Madison counties in recent years.
Write to John Pitarresi at 60 Pearl St., New Hartford, N.Y. 13413 or jcpitarresi41@gmail.com or call him at 315-724-5266.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: NY hunter safety: 2022 season ties lowest number of shooting incidents
