Safest hunting season, ever

For the first time, Michigan recorded no fatalities during all hunting seasons in 2014, according to reports compiled by the Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division. Ten incidents involving injuries were recorded in the state – nine in the Lower Peninsula and one in the Upper Peninsula. Sgt. Tom Wanless of the DNR’s Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section says that ties with last year for the fewest number of reportable hunting incidents since Michigan started tracking them in the 1940s. Of the 10 incidents reported in 2014, four involved small game hunters, two involved waterfowl hunters and four involved deer hunters Wanless credits Michigan’s hunter education program as a big reason they have been experiencing a low number of hunting incidents. With more than 729,000 base licenses sold in 2014, Michigan’s hunting injury/fatality rate per license is .001 percent. The base license is required to purchase any hunting license.  (MRN)