The number of Texas hunting accidents in 2011 declined to the lowest since statistical records began in 1966, according to a new report by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The number of people injured in hunting accidents in Texas fell from 25 in 2010 to 23 in 2011, and fatalities also declined from four to two during the same period.

More important than the annual dips and peaks, however, is the long-term trend continues to track downward.

“The statistics show hunting is safe and getting safer in Texas,” said Terry Erwin, TPWD hunter education coordinator. “And we do believe that is directly related to  hunter education.”

The steady decline in the number of accidents tracks the growing number of people who take hunter education in Texas. In 1972, 2,119 people were certified in hunter education. In 2011, more than 3,000 volunteer hunter education instructors trained 43,645 hunters across the state.

The state’s worst year on record for accidents was 1968, when 105 accidents were reported, including 37 fatalities. In 1988, hunter education became mandatory in Texas for anyone born on or after Sept. 2, 1971.

According to Erwin, most accidents are preventable if hunters follow basic safety principles like those taught in hunter education courses. “You know you’re not going to stop accidents altogether,” he said. “But you’re going to help people build knowledge an skills to avoid accidents. It’s things like ‘10 Commandments of Shooting Safety,’ the very basic safety principles that are promoted a whole lot more now than 30 or even 20 years ago.”

Texans have several options available for fulfilling hunter education requirements, including the traditional two-day, 10-hour classroom environment, two free online courses, including courses in Spanish, or three optional fee-associated online courses. For more information and to find a hunter education course near you, visit:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/
or call 512-289-4999.