Man shot after hunter mistakes him for deer, officials say

ZACHARY, La. (WAFB) - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding deer hunters to follow requirements after a man allegedly mistook another hunter for a deer.

The hunting incident reportedly happened on a small piece of private property in Zachary around 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23.

According to the LDWF, two people who had permission to be on the property were unknowingly deer hunting at the same time, and one of them accidentally shot the other one with a buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun while thinking he was shooting a deer.

Officials said the shooter immediately called authorities for help, and the person who was shot was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge to be treated for injuries that are not considered life threatening.

According to the LDWF, neither hunter was wearing any hunter’s orange and did not possess deer tags while hunting.

Officials said the shooter was cited for hunting deer without possessing deer tags and not wearing hunter’s orange.

Agents with LDWF are continuing to investigate this incident. Further charges could be possible.

In addition to following hunter orange requirements, LDWF cautions hunters to fully identify their target and background before pulling the trigger.

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