Citation

Cina SJ, Lariscy CD, McGown ST, Hopkins MA, Butts JD, Conradi SE. South. Med. J. 1996; 89(4): 395-396.

Affiliation

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8614879

Abstract

In the decade spanning 1983 through 1992, 68 people were killed by firearms while hunting in North Carolina (average of 1.66 fatalities/100,000 licenses issued). Of these, 58 deaths involved two parties, a shooter and a victim. In 22% of the incidents the victims were mistaken for game. During the 1987-1988 hunting season a "Hunter Orange" law was initially enforced. This law requires sportsmen to wear an article of bright orange clothing while hunting. After enactment of this law, a reduction in the incidence of hunters being killed because they were "mistaken for game" has proven statistically significant. The present study documents that legally mandating bright orange clothing has resulted in fewer firearms-related fatalities due to the victim's being mistaken for game while hunting. The North Carolina experience implies that governmental intervention can influence the incidence of accidental deaths during recreational hunting.