A man was killed when another hunter unintentionally shot him while targeting a deer in Juniata County, as reported by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The commission stated that a group of 24 hunters was performing a “deer drive,” with the victim being part of the team responsible for herding the deer toward the waiting hunters.
The group had traveled roughly 100 to 200 yards into the journey when a male deer emerged and dashed back across the line of drivers, as reported by the commission.
Two individuals from the hunting group are said to have fired at the deer, later hitting the victim, who was in the path of the gunfire. The unidentified victim sustained a gunshot wound to the hip and died from his injuries.
An unintended shooting is said to have occurred approximately 8:20 on Tuesday morning on the hill close to Vincent Tram Road, as snow began to accumulate in the area.
Eric Coldren, the Deputy President of the Mifflintown Fire Company and a paramedic, stated that if the weather hadn’t been so severe, the young man might have lived. Coldren noted that the operation up the mountain was challenging and required more than an hour to reach the injured individual.
It was extremely steep, Coldren explained, that he was concerned there might be another death because his team was falling and losing their balance.
Authorities have not stated whether any individuals will be charged in relation to the incident. It remains unclear if the deceased hunter was wearing a safety vest.
Officials from the game commission arrived at the scene with EMS and fire department personnel, as stated in a post by the Mifflintown Hose Company #1.
