2007 annual hunting accident report

Prepared by: Hunter Education Program, Law Enforcement Section, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The International Hunter Education Association definition of a hunting accident: An event which is attributed directly or indirectly to firearm or archery hunting and causes injury or death to any person(s) as a result of a person's actions while legally hunting.

2007 hunting accident summary: Fatal accidents: 2, Non-fatal accidents: 2

Fatal accident details

Male, 44 years old

• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Firearm: Rifle
• Shooter: 34-year-old male
• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Game hunted: Deer
• Possible cause: Improper firearm handling. Improper Muzzle Control
• Accident location: Summit County
• Remarks: Two hunters were hunting deer in the oak brush. The shooter and victim were walking single file with their rifles slung over their shoulders when the shooter bent down to go through the some brush. His rifle was pointing back at the victim when it discharges hitting the victim in the stomach.

Male, 52 years old

• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Firearm: Shotgun
• Shooter: 9-year-old male
• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Game hunted: Waterfowl
• Possible cause: Improper muzzle control, too much gun for child.
• Accident location: Utah County
• Remarks: The victim and shooter were hiding in a ditch hunting waterfowl together. The shooter was shooting at a goose when the victim was hit. Shooter shot at a goose then stumbled backwards and gun came down and discharged again.

Non-fatal accident details

Female, 14 years old and male, 15 years old

• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Firearm: .22 Rifle
• Shooter: 14-year-old female
• Hunter education-trained: Yes
• Game hunted: Rabbit
• Possible cause: Improper firearm handling
• Accident location: Duchesne County
• Remarks: The shooter loaded a .22 rifle and handed it to the victim. The shooter thought the victim had the gun and let it go. The rifle fell to the ground discharging. The bullet hit the shooter in the middle finger and the victim in the cheek.

Male, 42 years old

• Hunter education-trained: Unknown
• Firearm: Shotgun
• Shooter: 70-year-old male
• Hunter education-trained: Unknown
• Game hunted: Pheasant
• Possible cause: Shooter swinging on game.
• Accident location: Washington County
• Remarks: Seven people were together hunting pheasant in a line. A pheasant flew-up and the shooter swung on the bird and fired. The victim was in the line of fire and hit in the head with several pellets.