Outdoors, Leisure, and Sports
The 2024 gun-deer season in Wisconsin was marked by remarkable safety, with only one reported gun injury and no fatalities. As the new season approaches, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hopeful for another safe year.
Kicking off tomorrow, the 9-day gun deer season is a time when safety takes center stage. The DNR has highlighted that the previous season was one of the safest on record, continuing a positive trend in hunter safety over the years. The last reported hunter death due to a firearm accident during the gun-deer season occurred in 2022, although non-fatal incidents still happen each year.
“Every year, someone seems to be injured during a deer drive hunting incident. It’s crucial to communicate effectively beforehand so everyone knows each other’s locations,” stated Joe Mulrooney, a DNR Recreation Warden.
Most hunting incidents can be traced back to violations of the four fundamental rules of firearm safety, known as TAB-K:
- T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- B – Be certain of your target, and what lies before and beyond it.
- K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
In addition to adhering to TAB-K, hunters must comply with all hunting regulations and only take aim during legal shooting hours. It is also mandatory for hunters to wear blaze orange, which should constitute 50% of their clothing above the waist.
The DNR notes that nearly all hunting incidents involve hunters accidentally shooting themselves or someone in their party. To enhance visibility, they encourage anyone venturing into the woods to wear blaze orange during the 9-day gun deer season.
“If you’re hiking through the woods, in your backyard, or walking along a rural road, wear blaze orange or fluorescent pink—something highly visible—so that hunters can easily see you and not mistake you for game,” advised Mulrooney. “This also applies to pets. If you’re walking your dog, consider getting them a blaze orange or high visibility garment for the gun deer season.”
Common violations reported by the DNR include baiting and feeding in counties where it is prohibited, as well as transporting a loaded firearm in vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs.
For those who witness violations, the DNR encourages anonymous reporting through their tip line at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.
The 9-day gun deer season begins Saturday, November 22, and continues through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Source: WXPR
