Nick Zahniser

Minnesota’s season opener for firearm deer season just passed, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reporting around 55,000 harvested deer statewide. The total number of harvests was up by 4 percent from the previous year, with some areas reporting as high as a 6-percent increase; however, the season also started out with a stark reminder on the importance of firearm safety training.

The Importance of Firearm Safety Training

Despite the generally successful turnout and harvest numbers for the state, it wasn’t all peaches and cream. Two hunters were shot during the opening weekend, both occurring in northwestern Minnesota.  

It was reported that the first hunter, whose name was not given, was shot in Clay County and was later taken to Fargo hospital with life-threatening injuries. His current condition is still unknown as the Minnesota DNR has not released any statement. 

Another hunter was shot near Lee Township in Norman County on the morning of Saturday. The 37-year-old man, whose name was also undisclosed, suffered a single gunshot wound and was also taken to Fargo hospital, though his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. 

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The Seventh Hunting-Related Shooting This Year

The Minnesota DNR reports that this is the seventh hunting-related shooting in 2024. In the DNR’s hunting incidents report, some of the factors leading to these incidents included a hunter shooting himself when fooling around and putting his hand over the barrel of his firearm, and a hunter hearing movement, turning and blindly, shooting a fellow hunter through both legs.  

While some of these incidents sound incredibly ridiculous when reading them to yourself on paper, it’s important to remember to always practice firearm safety when recreating outdoors or otherwise. A gunshot wound, self-inflicted or at the hands of another, is no laughing matter. 

Read more about firearm safety training and other topics on iSportsmanUSA.