For example, data from Wisconsin has revealed that 70 percent of deer harvested per year are killed in the first nine days of the season.
Furthermore, the removal of hunting accidents from the analysis suggested that the majority of gun shootings were person-on-person violence.
Sharkey and his team also looked at the number of hunting licenses per capita in the states and determined that shootings were more frequent in states with large hunting populations.
This all supports the findings from a previous study conducted in rural counties that identified a 300 percent increase in arrests involving men with shotguns at the beginning of each deer hunting season.
When taken together, the available evidence leads to the conclusion that the “heightened presence of firearms in public and private spaces” causes a spike in shootings the week following the opening of deer hunting season.
To reduce the risk, the implementation of stricter gun regulations regarding the storage, purchase, and carrying of firearms may be needed, particularly in states with larger deer hunting populations.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
