An Illinois hunter has died after being shot in the face by someone in his hunting party on November 11.
Seth Egelhoff, 26, of Chesterfield, Illinois was shot while hunting waterfowl in Iowa's Bays Branch Wildlife Area, six hours north-west of his home. Someone in the hunting party called 911 around 1 PM on Saturday, November 11. Emergency medics arrived on the scene and rushed Egelhoff to an area where he could be picked up by a medical helicopter. Unfortunately, Eglehoff died en route.
According to AP News, Conservation Officer Jeremy King said that the shooting appeared to be accidental. However, the Department's law enforcement arm is investigating the death.
With hunting season well underway in many states across the U.S., hunting accidents have been on the rise, particularly accidents that involve hunting partners. In October, a Minnesota man was shot in the butt by a 10-year-old child when the child was trying to unload a bolt-action Ruger .270. Another Minnesota man was shot by his daughter when she accidentally fired off a second round after taking down a deer from their tree stand.
A Kentucky man also died from a hunting accident last month. He was hunting alone and approached a deer that he thought was already dead. The deer made a sudden movement, and the man accidentally stabbed himself in the leg with a large hunting knife. He was dead before his family found him.
This slew of recent accidents drives home the importance of hunting and gun safety, for both you and your hunting partners. If you have an upcoming hunt planned, make sure you are going to the range to re-familiarize yourself with your weapon of choice and consider taking a hunter education or rifle safety course. If you are hunting in a group, ensure that your partners are all responsible hunters who are aware of basic gun safety and willing to have open conversations about safety in general.
READ MORE: Treestand Safety: Tips to Avoid Falling Out When Hunting From Above
