Pat yourself on the back hunters, you made history in New York State.

It was another big year. The weather permitted for a fair hunting season, though we all know you'd be out there rain or shine. With that being said, it was impressive to see New Yorkers hit this incredible milestone.

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New York State's Safest Year

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the 2022 hunting season tied 2021 for being the safest-ever year.

The biggest accomplishment was having the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents. There were a total of 9 recorded in 2022, with one being a fatality. This is a clear indication of how closely New York hunters are following the guidelines.

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Commissioner Seggos is congratulating DEC expert staff, volunteers, and local hunting clubs for their role in teaching safety to hunters of any age.

I commend their efforts and for all hunters who safely and responsibly contributed to our conservation efforts this season

After analyzing the 9 shootings from last year, the DEC found all shooters had an average 30 years of hunting experience. It's never a bad idea to retake a hunters safety course. According to the DEC, they say every incident would have been prevented if those hunters followed the correct safety rules.

READ MORE: Wildlife Shooting Contests May Soon Be Illegal in New York

If you're interested in signing up yourself or your kids for the Hunter Education Program, you can learn more by clicking here.

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

Holy Buck! New York Hunter Bags Biggest Deer of His Career

A New York hunter bagged the biggest deer of his career. Tom Kaczmarek has dozens of archery record book bucks but in 2021 he brought down an 11 point buck every hunter has been watching. Check out the big one and all the others he's killed over the years.

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Live Out Your Star Wars Dreams In A Campsite Not So Far, Far Away

Star Wars fan or not, you have to admit this is the coolest campsite you've seen in a long time!

Abandoned Camp in Upstate NY Gives Off Major Horror Movie Vibe

A hiking trail between Syracuse and Rochester in Upstate New York is a favorite for thrill-seekers because you can wander through an eerie girl scout camp, abandoned 30-plus years ago.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

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