Maine has one of its safest hunting seasons

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine’s top hunter safety official says education is the most likely reason 2009 was one of the safest hunting seasons on record.

Michael Sawyer of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game says there was only one injury during the state’s separate deer hunting seasons: that was a woman who shot herself in the foot.

Six hunters were injured during the state’s bird hunting season.

There were no fatalities.

In 2008 there was nine hunting incidents, including one fatality.

The state estimates 200,000 hunters took to the woods.

Starting in 1986 all new hunters were required to take a safety course.

The Sun Journal of Lewiston says 1952 was the most dangerous hunting year on record in Maine, with 19 fatalities and 70 incidents.