Wisconsin at High Risk for Hunting Accidents – How to Stay Safe in the Field

Wisconsin at High Risk for Hunting Accidents – How to Stay Safe in the Field

• A new study highlights the states where hunters are most at risk, based on hunting activity and firearm checks in 2024.
• Wyoming is the state with the greatest risk for hunting accidents, with the highest number of long-gun checks and hunting licenses issued, resulting in a risk score of 9.6.
• Wisconsin ranks tenth, with a risk score of 5.

A new study highlights where hunters face the greatest risk of accidents and offers essential tips to stay safe. Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota top the list of states with the highest potential for hunting-related incidents, according to recent research by Florida-based law firm Anidjar & Levine.

The study analyzed 2024 data from the FBI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ranking states by long-gun firearm checks and hunting licenses issued per 100,000 people. States with the highest averages received the highest risk scores, indicating greater potential for hunting accidents.

Wyoming is the most at risk of hunting accidents this year, with the highest risk score of 9.6. During 2024, there were 2,601.97 long-gun firearm checks and 22,632.21 hunting licenses issued per 100,000 people in Wyoming.

Montana is the runner-up, with a risk score of 9.2. The state has seen an average of 2,758.19 long-gun firearm checks and 20,948.93 hunting licenses issued per 100,000 residents this year so far.

South Dakota ranks third, with a risk score of 8.5. South Dakota’s score was amassed by the 24,726.16 hunting licenses issued and 1,844.74 long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 citizens.

Following in fourth is North Dakota, with a risk score of 8.0. In 2024, the state has seen 2,168.06 long-gun firearm checks and 18,892.22 hunting licenses issued per 100,000 residents.

West Virginia ranks fifth, with a risk score of 6.7. So far, 14,976.97 hunting licenses have been issued and 1,931.73 long-gun firearm checks have been made per 100,000 people in 2024.

Alaska ranks sixth in the country, with a risk score of 6.6. This year, Alaska has issued 12,836.27 hunting licenses and has made 2,090.93 long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 people.

Idaho and Maine tie for seventh, with a risk score of 6.2. Idaho has issued 14,802.78 hunting licenses and conducted 1,689.80 long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, Maine has made 1,607.70 long-gun firearm checks and issued 15,310.07 hunting licenses per 100,000 residents in 2024 so far.

Eighth is Oregon, with a risk score of 5.7. The state has seen 2,117.02 long-gun firearm checks this year and 7,870.73 hunting licenses issued per 100,000 people.

At number nine is Tennessee, with a risk score of 5.1. Tennessee has issued 11,845.55 hunting licenses and has conducted 1,412.57 long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 citizens this year.

Wisconsin and Alabama are tied in the tenth spot, with a risk score of 5.0. Wisconsin has made 1,423.44 long-gun firearm checks and has issued 11,245.86 hunting licenses per 100,000 residents this year. Alabama has issued 9,526.81 hunting licenses and has made 1,589.99 long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 people in 2024 so far.

Top Safety Tips for Hunters

Hunters in these high-risk states—and across the country—are encouraged to prioritize safety by following these tips:

• Treat every firearm as if loaded: Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, even when you think the gun is unloaded.
• Unload firearms when crossing obstacles: This includes fences, trees, or uneven terrain to prevent accidental discharge.
• Store firearms and ammunition separately: Ensure they are kept out of the reach of children.
• Communicate your plans: Always inform someone of your hunting location and expected return time to ensure help can be called if something goes wrong.

A spokesperson from Anidjar & Levine commented on the findings: 

“Hunting can be incredibly dangerous; therefore, hunters must apply safety measures when participating in the activity. Hunters should treat every firearm as loaded by always keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

“Unload your firearm when crossing fences, climbing trees, or traversing slippery terrain. It is also wise to store firearms and ammunition separately and always keep them out of the reach of children.

“Be sure to let someone know your hunting plans, location, and your expected return. Your loved ones could identify the possibility of an accident if the venture does not go according to plan.”

story credit: https://www.anidjarlevine.com/

Methodology 

Each state’s potential for hunting accidents was based on an index score amassed by the following factors:

• Average hunting licenses issued per 100,000 people in 2024

Sourced from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Average long-gun firearm checks per 100,000 people in 2024

Sourced from www.fbi.gov

Each factor was scored out of ten, and the higher the average number of long-gun firearm checks and hunting licenses issued, the higher the score. Those scores were then combined to create an average score for each state which has been determined as a ‘risk score’.

Therefore, the ranking was determined by the states with the highest risk scores.

Full Ranking

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Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]