Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: Hunting with firearms is
safe; in fact, hunting with firearms is one of the safest
recreational activities in America. - 11 times more likely to be
injured playing volleyball - 19 times more likely to be injured
snowboarding - 25 times more likely to be injured cheerleading
or bicycle riding - 34 times more likely to be injured playing
soccer or skateboarding - 105 more times likely to be injured
playing tackle football. With hunting season in full swing
across the country, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the
trade association for the firearms industry, has compiled data
that shows hunting ranks third in safety when compared to 28
other recreational pursuits, ranging from baseball to wrestling.
Hunting with firearms has an injury rate of 0.05 percent, which
equates to about 1 injury per 2,000 participants, a safety level
bettered only by camping (.01 percent) and billiards (.02
percent). For comparison, golf has an injury rate of 0.16
percent (1 injury per 622 par