A late-night hunting trip turned deadly after an accidental shooting took place in East Texas. Texas Game Wardens confirmed to MySA that a 45-year-old hunter from the Dallas suburb of Grapevine was killed in a hunting accident that occurred around midnight on Saturday, November 16.
Jose Ramirez was removing a firearm from a vehicle when it accidentally discharged and struck him, according to the Texas Game Wardens. Life-saving measures were performed, but Ramirez died from his injuries. The incident occurred in Marion County in East Texas, near Shreveport and Tyler.
Texas Game Wardens posted about the incident on Facebook, encouraging every hunter to take safety seriously.
“While #TexasGameWardens are trained to investigate hunting-related incidents and work diligently to determine what happened, we always wish a tragedy like this could have been avoided,” officials said in the post.
Officials urged hunters always to handle all firearms as if they are loaded, keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction and take time to unload your firearm before placing or removing it from a vehicle.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Texas Game Wardens wrote in its post.
Texas experienced an increase in hunting accidents last year, with 18 non-fatal hunting accidents and one fatality reported in the 2024 Texas Hunting Accident Report, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). In 2023, Texas reported one fatal hunting incident and 10 non-fatal accidents. Texas’ highest record to date occurred in 1968 when the state saw 37 fatal hunting-related accidents.
Since 1988, all hunters have been required to complete the Hunter Education program, which has steadily reduced hunting accidents, according to TPWD. Hunter Education is required for every hunter in Texas (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. The minimum age for certification is 9 years old and certification is good for life.
There are two in-person course options for individuals under 17 years of age: a six-hour classroom course or a four-hour field course preceded by a home-study course. Additionally, those 17 and over can alternatively take and pass an approved online-only course.
Courses can be found by visiting the Hunter Education page. Classes are also offered at schools, clubs and venues throughout Texas communities.