Hunting accidents in Kansas during 2006 were down three from the year before.

A total of 17 hunting accidents were reported last year compared to 20 in 2005, according to Wildlife and Parks. None of the accidents proved fatal.

Eleven of the incidents were caused by hunters swinging on game and the victim moving into the line of fire. Upland bird hunting was involved in 12 incidents, two were in turkey hunts and one each were in dove and waterfowl hunts.

The other accident involved poor gun handling prior to the hunt.

There were two incidents of failure to identify a target properly, and four cases of careless gun handling. Sixteen shotguns and one rifle were involved in the incidents. No bow incidents were reported.

“While any accidents are unfortunate, having only 17 during the entire hunting season is a great record,” Wildlife and Parks official Wayne Doyle said.

Even though the number of incidents was not the lowest Kansas has experienced – the state record low is 13 in 2003 – the 2006 figure still is small considering the numbers of hunters and the time they spent afield.

The latest statistics, compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the year 2001, showed that 291,000 hunters spent 3.7 million hours afield in Kansas.