Two Shooting Incidents Reported During Wisconsin Deer Hunting Opening Day

Two Shooting Incidents Reported During Wisconsin Deer Hunting Opening Day

Wisconsin – -(AmmoLand.com)- By late afternoon Saturday, DNR Hunter Safety Administrator Tim Lawhern had been notified of two shooting incidents, both non-fatal.

A male hunter in Grant County was shot just below the buttocks, reportedly when a nearby hunter was unloading his gun. A hunter in Green County received a shotgun wound to the thigh; it was not self-inflicted. No other details were available at time of publishing.

Lawhern notes that every shooting incident can be traced back to hunters failing to follow the four basic firearm rules.

“Every hunter – no matter the level of experience or years in the woods – should have these rules so engrained they are automatic,” Lawhern said. “Review these and review them with your hunting friends. It’s in your best interest and theirs. Make these rules your habits.”

The four rules are:

• Treat every firearm as if it is loaded should be a habit.
• Always point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times.
• Be certain of your target and what is beyond it.
• Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Wardens wrote citations on opening day for illegal baiting, loaded firearms in vehicles and other violations, but no serious incidents were reported. A hunter in Clark County was cited after he cut down 25 pine trees on county property to improve a “shooting lane.” Another hunter was arrested and booked into jail for carrying a firearm while legally intoxicated.

Detailed Regional Reports are available on the Wisconsin DNR Web site.