AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas hunting accidents in year 2000 rose slightly from the previous year based on records kept since 1966 by Texas Parks and Wildlife. A total of 51 accidents occurred in 2000, including seven fatalities. The record low of 31 accidents with two fatalities occurred in 1996.

While hunting is generally considered one of the safest outdoor activities, Texas Parks and Wildlife strives to make it even safer. According to Steve Hall, TPW education director, "Virtually every hunting accident could be avoided if hunters would simply point the muzzles of their firearms in a safe direction at all times. This is the cardinal rule of hunting safety."

Hall, custodian of the game warden-generated Texas hunting accident records since 1987, said that the good news is that hunting accidents in the United States and Texas have declined in the last three decades by more than half. "More than 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, teach 650,000 students annually across North America," said Hall. "Still, there are those that for some reason have never heard of hunter education or continue to act in a careless or foolish manner when handling firearms."

Terry Erwin, hunter education coordinator with TPW, noted that hunting accidents would be greatly reduced if Texas hunters would follow three basic tenets: First, attend a hunter education course to learn about causes and prevention of hunting accidents. Second, always be aware of your surroundings and only take a shot from within your "safe zone-of-fire. Third, never carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle." The 2000 Texas hunting accident data support these recommendations. Only 11 shooters (22 percent) involved in hunting accidents were graduates of the state's mandatory hunter education course. Hunter education is required to hunt in Texas for anyone born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and next year will be required of hunters nationwide.

Because hunter education certification is not mandatory for all hunters -- minors hunting with a certified adult or a hunter born prior to Sept. 1, 1971 are exempted under Texas law -- lack of training may increase the risk of hunting accidents. TPW officials encourage every hunter to take the course regardless of age or requirements.

The primary purpose of hunter education is to present techniques by which hunters can handle firearms safely and competently, said Erwin. A record 18 (35 percent) of the hunting accidents occurring in 2000 involved careless handling of a firearm. Hunter education instructors emphasize how to safely load, unload, carry and handle sporting arms so that the hunter has muzzle control and knows where the muzzle is pointed at all times," stated Erwin.

Aside from careless handling, many hunting accidents in Texas occur when wingshooters fail to stay within safe zones-of-fire, Erwin said. While swinging on game last year, 16 shooters fired while another hunter was in the shot path. Shot pellets striking victims out of sight of the shooter caused six other hunting accidents, and one accident occurred when a shooter mistook the victim for a game animal.

"In states requiring it to be worn, hunter or blaze orange vests and caps have reduced hunter judgment mistakes by over 50 percent," according to Hall. In Texas, only hunters on public lands are required to wear hunter orange. "Hunters and guides on private land, especially those hunting quail or pheasant, have an obligation to be seen by their companions. It is a simple courtesy to other hunters to wear blaze orange while in the field, especially when the birds' actions are quick, low-flying and unpredictable."

Fewer accidents occurred in or around a vehicle in 2000, but these incidents remain a concern of hunter education program officials. Even though it may be legal to carry loaded firearms in or hunt from a vehicle on private land in Texas, statistics show it to be an unsafe practice. "Cramped quarters, careless handling, failing to check if a firearm is loaded and entering and exiting a vehicle with a loaded firearm continue to play a major role in Texas hunting accidents," according to Hall.

Beyond these common problems associated with safety violations and erroneous judgment, statistics showed data typical of previous years. Rifles were involved in 31 percent of the accidents; shotguns in 55 percent; handguns in 12 percent and muzzleloaders in 2 percent.

Shooters ages 10-19 years were involved in 35 percent of the accidents; hunters ages 20-29 in 17 percent; those aged 30-39 and 40-49 in 14 percent each; hunters 50-59 in 10 percent; and 60 years and over in 6 percent. "Unknown" shooters accounted for 4 percent of the accidents.

The primary species hunted at the time of the accident was dove in 29 percent of the accidents, followed by white-tailed deer in 15 percent; rabbits and quail/pheasants in 14 percent each; wild hogs, coyotes and waterfowl in 6 percent each, and turkey in 4 percent. Other species totaled 6 percent.

Last year's statistics also revealed that 29 percent of the accidents involved people who were violating a hunting regulation, and 43 percent of the accidents were self-inflicted. Only one person was involved in an alcohol-related accident.

For a complete copy of the 2000 Texas hunting accident report or for a copy of a recent 30-year Texas hunting accident analysis (Texas A&M 1999), please contact Steve Hall at (512) 389-4999 or e-mail steve.hall@tpwd.state.tx.us. For information about upcoming hunter education student and instructor courses, consult Texas Parks and Wildlife's Web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/) or call (800) 792-1112, Ext. 63. Instruction is offered year-round with most of the courses beginning in August before the main hunting seasons.