A teenager from Orange accidentally shot himself on Christmas Eve as he tested the thickness of ice with the butt of his loaded hunting rifle, according to state Environmental Police.

The 18-year-old is recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest, in a case that authorities said is a clear example of how the improper handling of firearms can lead to serious danger.

“He was properly licensed to go hunting; he had a proper license to carry. Unfortunately he acted foolishly using the butt of his weapon,’’ said Major William Bilotta of the Environmental Police. He did not have the name of the teen.

The young man was hunting near Tully Road with relatives around 9 a.m. Dec. 24 when the muzzle-loaded gun went off, Bilotta said. He credited local police and the boy’s father — who had been a combat medic — with stanching the bleeding and helping the victim survive.

Environmental officers arrived soon after.

Police took the gun and others used by the hunting party as authorities look into what happened. The weapon will likely be returned to the man’s family when the investigation is complete, Bilotta said.

He said the most likely outcome is that the teen will get a warning “to say, ‘Hey, look, lets’ be a little more careful with the firearm,’ ’’ he said. Bilotta added that his assessment could change if new details emerge.

Bilotta said he hopes the incident will show members of the public the importance of gun safety. “People should know, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,’’ he said.

Additionally, he said, hunters should hand off their guns when they are crossing water or going over barriers, which can cause accidental discharges.

The state offers a hunter education program with more resources on how to prevent accidents.

According to state environment officials, hunting accidents are extremely rare. There are about 4 or 5 each year in the state, and most involve falls from tree stands.

Andy Rosen can be reached at andrew.rosen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @andyrosen.