For Release: Monday, November 22, 2004

Commissioner Crotty Reminds Hunters to Follow Safe Hunting Guidelines

Asks Hunters to Enjoy a Safe and Successful Deer Hunting Season

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today urged people who hunt in New York State to follow safe hunting guidelines during the Southern Zone big game season, which begins today, November 22, 2004.

"During this season, I ask hunters across the State to continue their tradition of safe hunting," Commissioner Crotty said. "DEC values the contributions and safety of New York's hunters. I ask hunters to take a moment to review DEC's hunting regulations and guidelines and be thoroughly prepared for each hunting trip to ensure a safe and successful hunting season."

Last year was New York's safest hunting season in history. New York State experienced 32 injuries statewide. Twenty of these injuries occurred during deer season. Unfortunately, two of the incidents- in the popular Southern Zone hunting season- were fatal.

Sadly, one hunter has already been killed this year during the Northern Zone deer hunting season, which opened on October 23, 2004. Three other deer hunters have also been injured this year during the Northern Zone hunting season.

Most hunting related incidents involve members of the same hunting party, and virtually all such shootings are preventable. Every hunter has the power to prevent such injuries with safe gun handling and careful shooting. Each hunter can also help other hunters avoid mistakes by wearing hunter orange, carefully planning each hunt, and insisting that all members of the hunting party follow five simple safety rules:

Assume Control from Trigger to Target, and Beyond

Assume every gun is loaded. Unload guns when not in use, but never take chances with any firearm;
Control the muzzle- keep it pointed in a safe direction;
Keep your trigger finger off the trigger until ready to shoot;
Be sure of your target and beyond; and
Wear hunter orange.

"Following the five simple safety rules will prevent virtually all hunting related shooting incidents. Every hunter learns these rules when they take the safety course required for all new hunters," Commissioner Crotty said. "As a graduate of New York's hunter education course, I appreciate the efforts of over 3,000 dedicated DEC volunteers who teach hunter education courses. Thanks to them, we now have a very safety conscious generation of hunters."

Here are some more specific tips for hunters:

Wearing Hunter Orange Saves Lives. The effectiveness of fluorescent or blaze orange safety clothing speaks for itself. About 80 percent of big game hunters in New York put the odds in their favor by wearing orange. Over the past ten years, 15 New York State big game hunters have been mistaken for deer and killed, and every one of these victims was from the small minority of hunters who did not wear hunter orange. A 16th hunter who did not wear hunter orange was also killed in the line of fire when another hunter shot at a deer. Even though hunter orange is highly visible to humans, studies show that deer are not alarmed by it.

Take Care Even When Not Shooting. In recent years, nearly half of the deer hunting-related shooting incidents resulted from unintentional discharges - when people are not shooting. DEC safety experts urge hunters to practice constant muzzle control, keeping the safety on at all times and fingers outside the trigger guard while carrying firearms.

Friendly Reminders Can Save Lives. Hunters who see a partner's finger inside the trigger guard when he or she is not shooting or a barrel momentarily swinging in an unsafe direction owe it to themselves and their companions to remind them of proper safety rules. Most injuries from unintentional discharges are self-inflicted and the remainder injure friends and relatives. Therefore, it is in your own best interest to remind hunting partners of safe hunting practices.

Hunt at a Safe Pace. Hunters should avoid overexertion, pacing themselves within the limits of their individual endurance and physical limitations. Exhaustion can lead to carelessness in carrying firearms, as well as decreased shooting accuracy.

Know Where Other Hunters Are. Pay attention to anyone else who may be in the area. Plan your hunt and hunt your plan. This is especially important in deer drives. Most hunters like to use their knowledge of the deer's natural habits and movements, but some hunters still organize "drives" with some hunters moving deer out of an area toward their waiting hunting partners. Many of New York's deer hunting injuries are associated with this practice, partly because hunters often have to shoot at running deer, and are less likely to notice their partners in the background. Don't let anyone participate in a deer drive with you unless they are wearing hunter orange.

Use Caution on Tree Stands. While firearms-related hunting injuries are declining significantly, falls from tree stands are causing an increasing number of injuries. In recent years, dozens of hunters suffered serious, sometimes crippling, injuries in falls from tree stands. In the past few years, several New York State hunters died as a result of such incidents.

To minimize the possibility of tree stand injury, hunters should obey the following rules:

Strap in FIRST. Use a full-body harness that supports the torso and legs, with a short safety line to prevent falls;
Never climb with a gun or bow. Raise and lower it UNLOADED with a rope;
Climb up and down the tree with a fall restraint. Most falls happen when climbing; and
Use a reliable portable tree-stand. Permanent tree stands, ladders and steps rot.

For more hunting tips, visit the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us and click on the Subject Index to look for "Hunter Safety."

DEC is always looking for experienced hunters and trappers to pass on the traditions of safety, responsibility, and conservation to the next generation. Volunteers can apply for free training this winter to teach one or more of the following courses: hunter education; bowhunter education; trapper education, or waterfowl hunter education. If you are interested in joining DEC in this rewarding volunteer activity call 1-888-HUNT-ED2 for applications and information on becoming an instructor, or visit the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us and click on the Subject Index to look for "Hunter Education."

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