10 Michigan Hunters Shot Themselves (or Somebody Else) in 2023

It took some digging, but I was able to find it: the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2023 Michigan Hunting Related Incident Summary, which is a fancy way of saying this is "The Who Shot Who" in 2023. Sadly, Michigan saw a 150% increase in outdoor accidents involving firearms year over year.

RELATED: The Real Danger for Michigan Hunters? It’s Not Bullets

During the 2023 hunting seasons, ten hunting-related incidents were reported in the Mitten State. This may not sound like a lot, considering that there are over half a million deer hunters alone in Michigan, but when looking at the past two years, that's a considerable jump.

Hunting Related Incidents in 2021 and 2022

2021 and 2022 saw a total of eleven accidents, each involving firearms and someone either shooting themselves or someone else. The majority of the incidents in both years involved shooters failing to identify the target or not checking beyond their target, resulting in someone downrange taking a slug, bullet, or BB(s).

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I contacted a hunting retail store to ask what they thought the sudden increase was tied to, and without hesitation, they said, "Michigan hunters aren't taking Hunters Safety." While that makes sense, what doesn't add up is that it's illegal to purchase a license if you haven't taken a hunter safety course.

The Need for Hunters Safety Courses in Michigan Glaring After 2023

The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994 requires "the person selling a hunting license" to record whether or not a Hunters Safety course has been completed. According to the law, Michigan hunters HAVE to complete the course.

However, if this is the case, wouldn't the DNR have to ask for proof of course completion when selling licenses and tags online? The short answer is no; they just have you check a box saying you took the course without providing a number or proof. The same can be said when retailers ask if a purchaser has also had hunter safety. A simple "yes" is all you have to say (if you're willing to lie), and no further proof is required. But at what cost?

As you scroll through the ten hunter-on-hunter incidents involving firearms in 2023, ask yourself how many legitimately completed the course or if their lie resulted in a potentially deadly accident.