Deer hunters always look forward to opening day, but not everyone is suitably prepared when that day arrives, and some are downright unfortunate.
Wisconsin is a case in point, having inauspiciously marked the beginning of its firearm-hunting season on Saturday.
According to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources news release, a 38-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman accidentally shot themselves in the foot in separate instances; and a 19-year-old woman was shot in the hand by another hunter who was aiming at a running deer.
The injuries were not life-threatening.
On Sunday, a 31-year-old man was shot in a case that remains under investigation because the shooter has not been identified.
The WI DNR is seeking the public's help in the case of an adult male shot while deer hunting in Washburn County on Sunday, Nov. 24, of the opening weekend of the annual gun deer season, which so far has four hunting incidents.https://t.co/hiHSNzAM8t
— Wisconsin DNR (@WDNR) November 24, 2019
The DNR’s Bureau of Law Enforcement is hoping to interview hunters who were in certain Washburn County/Minong Township locations on Sunday.
The DNR stated: “Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may confidentially relay their information by text, phone call or online to the WDNR Violation Tip Line: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367.”
Wisconsin is not the only state to have its opening weekend marred by accidental shootings.
Last week in Michigan, a man accidentally shot his brother after mistaking him for a deer. The brother was flown to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in serious but stable condition.
Also during opening weekend, two young boys were injured when a weapon discharged as their father was preparing for his hunt.
–White-tailed deer images are via Wikimedia Commons