2024-2025 hunting seasons in New York second safest on record, DEC says
The 2024 – 2025 hunting seasons across New York State were the second safest on record, the DEC says.
“Thanks to New York’s exceptional Hunter Education Program and hunters adhering to New York’s hunting regulations, requirements, and firearm safety, hunting continues to be a safe and enjoyable activity for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors each year,” Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said.
DEC documented 11 'Hunting Related Shooting Incidents' in 2024, including four two-party firearm incidents and seven self-inflicted incidents.
Unfortunately, one of the incidents was a self-inflicted fatality. Furthermore, two incidents involved individuals who were not legally hunting.
DEC also documented 11 Elevated Hunting Incidents (EHIs) in 2024, though not all falls are reported.
Of these incidents, nine involved hunters failing to wear a safety harness or failing to connect the harness to a tree.
Unfortunately, two of the falls were fatal; the others resulted in serious injuries.
***See complete list of DEC 2025 - 2025 hunting safety statistics (HRSI's and EHI's)***
DEC encourages hunters to remember that every hunting-related shooting incident is preventable if hunters follow the primary rules of hunter safety:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded;
- Control the muzzle, keep it pointed in a safe direction;
- Identify target and what lies beyond;
- Keep finger off trigger until ready to fire; and
- Wear hunter orange or pink.
NYS DEC image.
