Start of US hunting season linked to increased firearm incidents, including violent crimes and suicide

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April 16, 2025, 10:30 PM

• •The start of deer hunting season in the US is associated with increases in both hunting and non-hunting-related firearm incidents.
• •Increases in non-hunting-related firearm incidents "indicate the potential general effect of greater firearm availability on different types of firearm incidents."
• •Efforts to promote firearm safety at the beginning of hunting season could help reduce hunting and non-hunting-related firearm incidents.

A study published in The BMJ found that the start of deer hunting season in the US is associated with increases in both hunting and non-hunting-related firearm incidents. The researchers measured rates of different firearm incidents during the opening of deer hunting season in 10 US states from 2016 to 2019. Compared with control periods, the start of the hunting season was associated with a 12% relative increase in the rate of firearm incidents overall. The results suggest that efforts to promote firearm safety at the beginning of hunting season could help reduce both hunting and non-hunting-related firearm incidents.

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