Hunting accidents: the media FINALLY recognize a significant drop THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF CHASSONS.COM
December 3, 2021
The National Federation of Hunters kept repeating it each time it was asked about the issue: hunting accidents have dropped drastically over the past twenty years. Information that the traditional media were careful not to divulge, preferring to stand alongside a public opinion largely unfavorable to hunting.
Eight deaths including seven hunters
This time we are there. It is acknowledged in many newspapers that hunting accidents are on the decline. Despite a year blurred by confinements, we see the trend increasing. This season, hunting has caused eight deaths, seven of which were hunters. In all, there were 80 hunting accidents during the 2020-2021 season.
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A total of 83 victims, dead or injured, are to be deplored. In these figures, we can see that 59% of accidents took place during big game hunts. “Auto-accidents” represent 29% of this total, and three of the seven fatal accidents. These data are declining. For the 2019-2020 season, we recall that 141 accidents were recorded, eleven of which were fatal.
“One hunting accident is always one too many”
Well aware of the risks, hunters do not skimp on the importance of safety. Compared to the 1999-2000 season, during which 39 fatal accidents were reported, the figures are very encouraging and show renewed vigilance on the part of hunters. However, no excess of optimism. “Our efforts to reduce them must continue. A hunting accident is always one accident too many,” admits the French Office for Biodiversity in a press release.
The main causes of accidents also stem from breaches of basic safety rules: non-compliance with the 30° shooting angle, shooting without having formally identified the game, or even, in the case of "auto- accidents", the mishandling of his weapon. "Shooting towards roads or homes which are the cause of accidents, but also incidents (no physical victims) are still too numerous", also underlines the OFB.
More safety rules
These accidents are often highly publicized, regularly reigniting heated debates on hunting. The State is committed to strengthening security, and has announced the creation of a hunting calendar in the state forest, so that local residents can be informed before going for a walk in the forest. However, we remind you that the hunting grounds are private areas, on which walkers do not normally have access.
