WISCONSIN — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is emphasizing safety after an 11-year-old boy died over the weekend in a deer hunting-related incident.
What You Need To Know
- The Wisconsin DNR hopes every hunter thinks about safety rules after death of 11-year-old in hunting incident
- The DNR notes hunting incidents in Wisconsin are low thanks in part to hunter education by the agency
- In 1966 there were around 264 hunting incidents a year in our state. In 2021 there were only 12 incidents
"Our message to hunters is very similar to what it has been," Lieutenant Bob Kneeland said.
The recreation warden supervisor said the safety rules are out there. The DNR hopes every hunter "thinks about those safety rules especially when we have a tragedy like this," Kneeland emphasized.
Hunting incidents, in general, Kneeland said are low in Wisconsin. "If you look at the history of hunting education and hunting incidents, we started in 1966, with about 264 incidents every year. Last year we had 12 hunting incidents," Kneeland pointed out.
Kneeland said he credits hunters and the public thinking about the safety rules and participating in hunter education. He also acknowledged the volunteer instructors and their passion for keeping people safe.