Book chapter
Chapter 22 - Hunting safety
Handbook of Gun Violence, pp.301-307
Academic Press
2025
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-95272-9.00036-X
Abstract
An estimated 11.5–15 million people hunt in the United States. Most hunters prioritize safety and hunting is generally a safe recreational activity, but injuries occur. This chapter reviews three aspects of hunting-related injuries with a focus on firearm injuries: the epidemiology of hunting-related injuries, the risk factors for those injuries, and preventive strategies that could reduce injury rates. Epidemiological data indicate that about 2,250 serious hunting injuries occur annually in the United States, 0.6% of which are fatal. Injured hunters tend to be male, White, and disproportionately young. Firearms-related injuries are overwhelmingly unintentional. Nonfirearm-related injuries are dominated by falls from tree stands. Various risk factors increase risk, including errors in handling and transporting firearms and psychosocial and contextual factors like fatigue, cold weather, and alcohol use. Children and adolescents have particular injury risks, likely due to underdeveloped cognition and risk-taking tendencies. Prevention of hunting injuries is multifaceted. Hunter safety education is required in most US states prior to the issuance of a hunting license. The quality of these courses is unclear. Policymaking also offers promise for hunting injury prevention; as an example, legislation requiring “hunter orange” clothing reduces risk. In conclusion, hunting is healthy and generally safe, but injuries occur and prevention efforts are needed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Chapter 22 - Hunting safety
- Creators
- David C. Schwebel - University of Alabama at BirminghamNicholas D. Thomson - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Handbook of Gun Violence, pp.301-307
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-323-95272-9.00036-X
- Publisher
- Academic Press; London
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2025
- Academic Unit
- Research Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984949454902771
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