Injury and illness among deer hunters

General practice and out-patient emergency records for a five-year period were reviewed for injuries and illnesses that occurred during the week of deer rifle hunting on Manitoulin Island. Of 65 hunters who were identified, most had lacerations secondary to knife injuries. There were two deaths (one shooting and one in a motor vehicle accident), and 19 persons required hospitalization. More than half of these serious accidents occurred on the weekends immediately preceding or following the hunting season. Incidence of injury or illness requiring medical attention was calculated to be 0.23% per hunter each week of the deer season. Spot checks for alcohol and improved hunter safety courses might prevent many of these injuries and illnesses.