Three Weekend Hunting Accidents Reported In Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported this morning that officials are investigating three hunting accidents around the state over the past week in which victims were shot by another hunter. None of the three deer hunters shot sustained life-threatening injuries.

In Iowa City, an 11-year-old boy hunting Sunday on private property was shot by his 13-year-old brother. The boys were standing along a fence row approximately 160 yards apart as their grandfather, walking in a timber area, was pushing the deer toward the open.

Officials said a doe came in from the opposite direction of the timber and both brothers took a shot at the deer standing in the field. The deer then ran between the boys and the older brother continued to shoot, striking his sibling in the hip.

The victim was transported to University of Iowa Hospital.

Two other accidents were reported in separate locations in Taylor County.

Conservation officers are investigating a shooting on private property Sunday that involved a New Market man who was searching for an injured deer when he was shot by another hunter who had mistaken him for a deer.

Justin Scroggie, 28, of New Market, was hunting with Brooks Lambert, 42, of Clarinda, while both were attempting to locate an injured deer in a field. Lambert mistakenly identified Scroggie as a deer in the dense vegetation and shot him from approximately 40 to 45 yards away, striking him in the left forearm.

Scroggie was airlifted to University of Nebraska Medical Center.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, John Fish, 65, of Villisca, was hunting southeast of Nodaway in Taylor County when he was struck in the foot by a slug fired by another hunter in his group.

Fish and a 15-year-old boy were approximately 95 yards on opposite sides of a road when a doe ran between them. The teen fired a shot at the doe but struck Fish, who was sitting in a fence row of dense vegetation and brush.

Fish was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, where he underwent surgery.

DNR officials reminded hunters to always be cognizant of the whereabouts of other hunters, avoid target fixation, and always ensure there is a safe backstop before taking a shot. In addition, hunters should not fire at any movement without properly identifying the target.

Image via Mathew Freeman, Pixabay