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Three Hunters Die Over the Weekend After String of Accidental Shootings

Over a weekend when many gun seasons kicked off across the country, there was unfortunately no shortage of tragedies as well. A string of unrelated incidents claimed the lives of three hunters as they traipsed into the woods for the last time this weekend.
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Death, no matter what shape or form is always tragic. Maybe even a little more so when the deceased die doing something they love with friends and family.

Over a weekend when many gun seasons kicked off across the country, there was unfortunately no shortage of tragedies as well. A string of unrelated incidents claimed the lives of three hunters as they traipsed into the woods for the last time this weekend.

In two completely separate and admittedly odd cases coming out of one Kentucky county, two hunters slipped, fell and shot themselves. Both incidents took place in Garrard County and saw 77-year-old Russell Stillwell, of Indiana pass away on Saturday. While on Sunday, 26-year-old Benjamin Brogle, Jr., found the very same fate in a northern region of the same county.

According to Sheriff Willie Skeens, both men were walking when they accidentally shot and killed themselves. In 30 years of law enforcement, Skeen said he’d never seen anything quite like this.

Over in Iowa, another young man was shot in the face while duck hunting in Guthrie County. The victim, 26-year-old Seth Egelhoff of Chesterfield, Illinois, was shot by another member in his hunting party while waterfowl hunting in Bays Branch Wildlife Area. The victim was airlifted out of the area but was pronounced dead while in transit.

This incident marks the second time in a month that a young hunter has been shot in the face while duck hunting. In October, an Iowa teen was shot in the face while hunting with friends at Spring Run Wildlife Management Area.

With more reports of accidents coming in from the field, officials from across the country are reminding hunters to practice safe firearm handling at all times.

Three Hunters Die Over the Weekend After String of Acciental Shootings

Death, no matter what shape or form is always tragic. Maybe even a little more so when the deceased die doing something they love with friends and family.

Over a weekend when many gun seasons kicked off across the country, there was unfortunately no shortage of tragedies as well. A string of unrelated incidents claimed the lives of three hunters as they traipsed into the woods for the last time this weekend.

In two completely separate and admittedly odd cases coming out of one Kentucky county, two hunters slipped, fell and shot themselves. Both incidents took place in Garrard County and saw 77-year-old Russell Stillwell, of Indiana pass away on Saturday. While on Sunday, 26-year-old Benjamin Brogle, Jr., found the very same fate in a northern region of the same county.

According to Sheriff Willie Skeens, both men were walking when they accidentally shot and killed themselves. In 30 years of law enforcement, Skeen said he’d never seen anything quite like this.

Over in Iowa, another young man was shot in the face while duck hunting in Guthrie County. The victim, 26-year-old Seth Egelhoff of Chesterfield, Illinois, was shot by another member in his hunting party while waterfowl hunting in Bays Branch Wildlife Area. The victim was airlifted out of the area but was pronounced dead while in transit.

This incident marks the second time in a month that a young hunter has been shot in the face while duck hunting. In October, an Iowa teen was shot in the face while hunting with friends at Spring Run Wildlife Management Area.

With more reports of accidents coming in from the field, officials from across the country are reminding hunters to practice safe firearm handling at all times.

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