2020 NY shooting-related hunting accidents: 2 of the 3 fatals occurred in Onondaga County Updated 3:58 PM; Three Upstate New York hunters died from self-inflicted, shooting accidents during the 2020 hunting season, which had a total of 22 reported accidents, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. All three deaths occurred during the fall big hunting seasons. Two of the fatals involved hunters who accidentally shot themselves with muzzleloaders while on the ground. The third fatal involved a crossbow hunter who accidentally fired a bolt from his loaded crossbow into his chest while hauling it up into a tree stand. Two of the deaths occurred in Onondaga County; the other, in Saratoga County.