A man wrapping up a day of hunting Friday in South Huntingdon was shot by another hunter, according to Travis Lau, communications director at the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Lau said the hunter was at his vehicle when he heard a gunshot and walked to an area off State Hill Road, where he thought he might see deer if they moved his way.
“Because he was in the process of putting gear away, he’d already removed his orange vest, so he wasn’t wearing the full amount of orange,” Lau said.
A second hunter had shot at a coyote, and mistook the man as the animal and fired another shot, hitting him in the shoulder. Emergency crews were dispatched shortly before 5:30 p.m. to the location east of Smithton. Lau said he believes they were hunting on private property.
It was unclear if the two hunters knew each other. The shooter went to the wounded hunter’s aid and called 911.
He was taken to a hospital. The incident remains under investigation.
Pennsylvania hunters are required to wear 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined that can be seen from 360 degrees, according to the game commission. A hat and vest would satisfy that requirement which extends from one hour before and after the start of legal hunting hours.
Hunting is permitted 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. The last day for deer regular firearms season is Saturday.
Coyotes can be hunted at any time and there is no limit, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. During any big-game season, hunters can take a coyote as long as they’re hunting lawfully or have a furtaker license. Outside of that type of season, hunters must have a hunting or furtaker license to take a coyote.
