NE Indiana hunter dies after tussle with shot buck

[HICKMAN]

ALBION, Ind. (AP) -- A northeastern Indiana hunter has died after struggling with a buck he had just shot.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says 62-year-old Paul Smith of Fort Wayne died Monday during a deer reduction hunt at Chain O'Lakes State Park about 20 miles northwest of the city. It says the Noble County coroner says the death was due to a lacerated liver, possibly suffered during the struggle.
Conservation Officer Erick Bolt says Smith called his son and left a message saying he had shot a buck. When the son called back, Smith told him the deer - still alive - attacked Smith before the hunter killed it with a knife.
A park employee who went to retrieve the buck found Smith sitting against a tree and could not revive him.


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NE Indiana hunter dies of lacerated liver after tussle with buck he shot in park deer cull

 

[nate1865]

My prayers are with those involved.

 

[1911Shooter]

Wow thats horrible. I feel very sorry for the family and I hope things get better soon.

 

[DThurston]

Firstly, condolences to the family.

Secondly, a more complete account is posted by the DNR:
IN.GOV - Entry Details View

Lastly, it's a stark reminder to put safety first and never assume anything.

 

[raggedoutcummins77]

my condolences go out to the family

 

[sbcman]

Man, this is terrible- and hits kind of close to home tonight. I hunt on the ground- no blind, nothing, just whatever tree I can find. I see this doe (turned out to be a button buck) walk out at about 50 yards. I take a shot and miss, hitting high. The deer turns squarely at me and starts sprinting. I then take another shot that hits its neck, yell at it and it turns broadside where I put one in its chest. It collapsed, literally, 10 feet from me.

Me and my buds were having a big laugh about it. This story kind of makes me rethink it a bit.

Prayers for the family.

 

[812homes4u]

Thats sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

 

[ISP 5353]

Prayers sent for the family.

 

[Willie]

I don' guess we will ever know but do you all think he tried to finish him off with a knife?

Why not just shoot him again..

 

[MinuteMan47]

I don' guess we will ever know but do you all think he tried to finish him off with a knife?

Why not just shoot him again..

Because who hasn't wanted to kill a deer with a knife.

Thoughts go out to his family.

 

[selinoid44]

Who knows?? It was just his time and know one knows why. Sad, but things happen for a reason. Be smart and hunt safe!

 

[HICKMAN]

I was always taught check the game before doing anything else. Don't seem to see that much on "huntin" shows these days...

 

[J_Wales]

I was always taught to tap the eyeball with the tip of the barrel to check for any indication the animal was still alive. If it is, I was taught to deliver a second round to the head.

We're others taught differently?

 

[Aggar]

Thats a terrible tragedy. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.

 

[awittmer]

thoughts and prayers are with the family, what a tragedy.

 

[Chase515]

"A Hunter's Prayer- I pray that I may live to hunt until my dying day and when it comes to my last breath then I most humbly pray... when in the Lord's great forest His kingdom in mysight, that in His great mercy I be judged - to have done what was right!"

 

[96firephoenix]

My thoughts and prayers to the family.

I wasn't taught either way. After reading about Mr. Smith, I think I'll come up on a kill with my weapon aimed and ready to fire.

 

[shibumiseeker]

That's terrible.

I slit the throat of one buck I shot because it was a nice rack, but it was spine shot and I stood on the front hooves and the antlers.

My uncle was a large animal vet and I spent some of my childhood watching him deal with livestock, and I keep some stock now and I have a lot of respect for how much damage an animal can inflict on a person.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Terribly tragic... This man was obviously an experienced hunter. Just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.

 

[cschwanz]

Always check your game (was taught to touch the eyeball with the gun barrel or arrow) before letting your guard down. I always circle around the deer and approach it from the front so i can see its head and face to see if anything is twitching or moving.

Prayers for the family involved.