The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released the hunting-related shooting incident (HRSI) and tree stand or other elevated incident reports for New York's 2020 hunting seasons. The reports are consistent with the low incident rates observed in the state over the past two decades.

"Last year, more than 600,000 New Yorkers and visitors enjoyed the abundant hunting opportunities available in New York as people headed afield in search of outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "The success of our new online hunter education program and the ongoing dedication of DEC's hunter education volunteers have helped hunting continue to be among the safest forms of outdoor recreation."

DEC documented 22 hunting-related incidents in 2020, including three fatalities. While up slightly from the record-low 12 incidents documented in 2019, the number of incidents in the 2020 season continues the downward trend in HRSIs observed over the past 20 years. Nine of the 22 HRSIs that occurred last year were two-party firearm incidents, and 13 were self-inflicted. The three fatalities recorded in 2020 were self-inflicted and involved experienced hunters. All of these incidents could have been prevented if hunting safety rules had been followed.

Further examination of the nine, two-party firearm incidents in 2020 reveal that seven victims involved were not wearing hunter orange or pink when afield, which along with identifying the target and beyond, are two major principles of DEC's hunter safety courses.

New York State has recorded HRSI rates since the 1960s. For comparison, 166 incidents were recorded in 1966, 13 of which were fatal. The hunting incident rate (incidents per 100,000 hunters) continues to fall over time. Since the 1960s, the number of hunters in New York has declined about 20 percent, while the incident rate has declined almost 80 percent. The current five-year average is two incidents per 100,000 hunters, compared to 19 per 100,000 hunters in the 1960s.

For the past several years, DEC has also tracked and investigated Elevated Hunting Incidents (EHI), previously referred to as tree stand injuries. DEC now tracks all incidents from an elevated position. EHIs are under-reported and DEC is not always notified when these falls occur. In 2020, 13 EHIs were reported; one was fatal. That hunter was not wearing a safety harness and fell while descending from a ladder stand.