Recent Tragedy Should Remind All Hunters of the Need to Practice Safety

September 24, 2026

State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky

OPINION:

The recent shooting death of a 39-year-old Georgetown woman involving a deer hunter is an urgent reminder of the responsibility all sportsmen and women have to follow essential safety practices whenever they are in the field.

“This is a tragedy that should have never happened,” said State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, one of the four co-chairs of the Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, a group of lawmakers that advocate for hunting and fishing issues in the General Assembly.

“There are rules that anyone hunting with a deadly weapon must follow to protect themselves and others,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “Make certain to positively identify your target and know what is beyond before shooting. If forced to make a split-second decision about whether it's safe to take a shot, err on the side of caution and don't pull the trigger.”

Rep. Spiegelman noted that Delaware is one of the most densely populated states in the nation, meaning hunters often share the landscape with other people who live, work, or recreate nearby.

“When hunting, there is no excuse for flouting the rules or complacency," he said. "Ignoring proper practices for the sake of convenience or to fill your tag is a recipe for a potential disaster that cannot be undone.”

As a critical reminder, the following safety rules should always be followed when hunting with a shotgun, rifle, pistol, or other weapon:

• Always identify your target to 100% certainty. Never shoot at sounds or movement.

• Know what is beyond your target and make certain it is safe to shoot.

• Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

• Keep your safety on and your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.

• Be certain of your surroundings and the potential path of the projectile before taking a shot.

• Observe Delaware’s standard safety zone, which typically bars hunting with a firearm within 100 yards of a house, occupied building, or barn.

• Do not shoot towards a house or road, even if you are outside the safety zone.

• When there is any doubt about whether a shot is safe, do not take it.