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Wisconsin hunting incident summary - Year 2020

# Date/Time Final Report Location Injury Description Fatal Self Inflicted (SI) or Same Party (SP) Shooter Age / Sex / Hunter Safety Certified Victim Age / Sex / Hunter Safety Certified Type of Firearm
1. 04/18/2020 8:13am N Sauk Public Multiple pellets to front of head and upper chest No Neither 32yr M Yes 31yr M Yes 12 gauge pump action shotgun
Synopsis: Shooter and Victim were both turkey hunting with separate parties. Victim was attempting to stalk turkeys with a “scoot n shoot” decoy. Victim moved towards the sound of turkeys. Shooter shot the decoy/victim in the face and upper chest.
2. 04/23/2020 10:30am N Portage Private Multiple pellets to the face No Neither 52yr M 59yr M 12 gauge pump action shotgun
Synopsis: Shooter was out hunting turkey on an adjacent property to the victim, who was out cutting firewood. Thinking the victim’s jacket was the head of a tom turkey, the shooter fired a shot, striking the victim in the face.
3. 07/06/2020 11:08am N Dodge Private Gun shot wound to the chest No Neither 50yr M Unknown 80yr M No 9mm Handgun
Synopsis: Shooter was attempting to dispatch a woodchuck on private property. The shooter fired 3 rounds in which one of the rounds struck the victim that was riding in a golf cart on a nearby property.
4. 07/14/2020 5:30am N Oconto Private Single bullet to lower left leg No Self-inflicted   54yr M Unknown .22 Rifle
Synopsis: Shooter/victim was attempting to shoot a racoon that was running toward him. As the shooter/victim discharged, one of the rounds struck a rock and ricocheted, striking the shooter/victim in the left lower leg. 
Synopsis: Shooter was attempting to dispatch a woodchuck on private property. The shooter fired 3 rounds in which one of the rounds struck the victim that was riding in a golf cart on a nearby property.
5. 09/15/2020
Under Investigation
N Columbia
Public
Single bullet to the shoulder No (SP)-Same-Party Under Investigation 31yr M
Unknown
Under Investigation
Synopsis: Shooter was hunting squirrels with four others when he thought he saw a squirrel and shot his gun. The shot hit another member of his party in the shoulder. 
6. 10/14/2020
6:13pm
N Racine
Public
Single bullet to the right abdomen No (SP)-Same-Party 42 yr M
Yes
47yr M
Yes
.22 bolt action rifle
Synopsis: Shooter was hunting squirrels and aimed at a squirrel. Shooter lost sight of the squirrel, so he lowered his firearm and pointed the muzzle towards the trail. Upon swinging the firearm back towards the trail, the firearm discharged and struck another member of his party (victim) in the right abdomen.
7. 10/20/2020
6:40am
N Sheboygan
Public
Multiple pellets to the right arm and stomach No Neither Under Investigation 41yr M
Yes
20 gauge pump action shotgun
Synopsis: Shooter shot down a hill through a large downed tree and struck the victim, who was archery hunting from the ground, in the right arm and stomach.
8. 10/21/2020
7:48am
N Clark
Private
Gunshot wound to the left foot No (SI)-Self-Inflicted   18yr M
Yes
12 gauge pump action shotgun
Synopsis: Shooter/victim was attempting to shoot a woodcock when he slipped on the snowy pond bank and shot himself through his left boot.
9. 10/25/2020
Under Investigation
N Dunn
Private
Under Investigation No (SP)-Same-Party 42yr M
Unknown
19yr M
Unknown
Under Investigation
Synopsis: Shooter and victim were pheasant hunting together. Shooter swung shotgun towards pheasant and shot victim.
10. 11/14/2020
Under Investigation
N Manitowoc Crossbow arrow to foot No (SP)-Same-Party F
Unknown
M
Unknown
Crossbow
Synopsis: Shooter and victim were unloading/de-cocking a crossbow together with the arrow still in the crossbow. The crossbow discharged and the arrow went into the victim’s foot.
11. 11/21/2020
Under Investigation
N Washburn
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the arm/face No (SP) Same Party 19yr M Unknown 62yr M Unknown
Yes
Rifle
Synopsis: The shooter and victim were participating in a deer drive together when a deer ran between them. The shooter fired at a running deer and struck the victim.
12. 11/21/2020
Under Investigation
N St. Croix
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the leg No (SP) Same Party 27yr M Unknown 14yr M Unknown
Yes
Shotgun
Synopsis: The shooter shot a deer moving towards him and struck the victim in the leg. The shooter and victim were participating in a deer drive together.
13. Under Investigation N Adams
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the hand No (SI) Self-Inflicted   42yr M
Unknown
Handgun
Synopsis: The victim/shooter was working the action of his handgun when the gun discharged striking him in the hand.
14. 11/22/2020
Under Investigation
N Door Gunshot wound to the chest Yes (SI) Self-Inflicted   65yr M
Unknown
Shotgun
Synopsis: The victim/shooter was exiting his blind with his shotgun when he tripped, and the firearm discharged into his chest.
15. 11/24/2020
Under Investigation
N La Crosse
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the right foot No (SI) Self-Inflicted   62yr M
No
Rifle
Synopsis: The victim/shooter was deer hunting when he slipped and fell. His rifle discharged, striking him in the right foot.
16. 11/24/2020
Under Investigation
N Richland
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the head No (SP) Same Party Under Investigation 68yr M
No
Rifle
Synopsis: The shooter placed a loaded rifle in a vehicle pointing towards the victim. The victim pushed the muzzle of the firearm away and the firearm discharged, grazing the victim in the head.
17. 11/26/2020
Under Investigation
N Waushara
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the leg No Neither 51yr M
No
26yr F
Unknown
Rifle
Synopsis: The shooter shot at what he thought was a deer and struck the victim in the leg.
18. 11/27/2020
Under Investigation
N Marathon
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the face and shoulder No Neither 25yr M
Yes
30yr M
Yes
Rifle
Synopsis: The victim was participating in a large deer drive. The shooter shot at a running deer and his bullet struck the victim in the face and shoulder.
19. 11/28/2020
Under Investigation
N Green
Under Investigation
Gunshot wound to the leg No Neither 34yr M
Yes
15yr M
Yes
Shotgun
Synopsis: Synopsis:    The victim was participating in a deer drive. The shooter shot at a running deer and his bullet struck the victim in the leg.