Hunting accidents continue to decline

Hunting accidents and fatalities in Texas continued their long-term decline in 2007, still down below three accidents per 10,000 hunters in recent years. That compares to about 12 accidents per 10,000 hunters in 1966, the year records began.

Short-term, Texas had 26 injuries from hunting accidents in 2007, two less than the year before. The state had four fatalities in 2007, the same as the previous year. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national survey, 1,112,099 people hunted in Texas in 2007.

"The statistics show hunting is safe and getting safer in Texas," said Steve Hall, education director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "And we do believe that is directly related to hunter education."

The state's worst year on record for hunting accidents was 1968, when 105 accidents were reported, including 37 fatalities.

The steady decline in the number of accidents per 10,000 licensed hunters tracks the growing number of people who take hunter education in Texas.In 1988, hunter education became mandatory in Texas for anyone born on or after Sept. 2, 1971.

Hall said even hunters who are not required to take the education course are more aware of basic safety principles than before.