@article{ref1,
title="Testing failure-to-identify hunting incidents using an immersive simulation: is it viable?",
journal="Applied ergonomics",
year="2021",
author="Bridges, K. E. and Corballis, P. M. and Spray, M. and Bagrie, J.",
volume="93",
number="",
pages="e103358-e103358",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Failure-to-identify hunting incidents occur when a hunter, believing they are shooting at an animal, shoots at another human. Anecdotal evidence from the hunting community suggests that heightened arousal or excitement (&quot;buck fever&quot;), liquid intake, food intake, sleepiness and personality factors may be contributory factors to such incidents. Hunters who have shot other people based on failures-to-identify also report observing their hunted quarry for a considerable time before discharging their firearm. Concerning the complexity of hunting, we sought to ascertain if simulation would prove an effective platform for future safety research into this phenomenon. <br><br>METHOD: We conducted a video-based simulation of a deer hunt during a hunting exhibition show. Participants (N = 60) took part in one of four conditions - two types of scenario (having a good versus bad hunt) and two types of video (clear opportunity to shoot a stag versus clear opportunity to shoot an animal that cannot be identified). We investigated hunting outcomes and physiological arousal during the simulation, as well as personality traits, and self-reports of food, liquid intake and sleepiness. We also measured estimated versus actual time elapsed. <br><br>RESULTS: Pupil dilation, consistent with psychophysiological arousal, occurred when the hunter spotted their first stag, whereas Electrodermal Activity reduced. In the 10 s before shooting, EDA increased substantially. Time also appeared to slow down based on the participants' estimations of duration. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The findings corroborate suggestions of physiological arousal in the immediate lead-up to shooting but fall short of direct evidence for &quot;buck fever&quot; contributing to target misidentification. The simulation appeared to provide enough immersion to facilitate future research. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This helps to understand the psychophysiological and temporal considerations of a hunter as they decide to shoot based on the information available to them at the time.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-6870",
doi="10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103358",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103358"
}