October 28, 2006

Rolfe, Iowa - Robert Snow, 22, of Boone, received minor injuries on Saturday when he was hit by shot from another hunter while pheasant hunting in Pocahontas County.

Snow was hunting with six others on private land southeast of Rolfe. He was blocking the end of a field to prevent pheasants from running out of the end of the field when another hunter in his group fired at a flying pheasant and hit Snow with seven pellets from approximately 60 yards.

One pellet hit Snow on his face above the lip, another on the back of the right hand the rest in his thigh between the knee and hip. The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Snow was taken to Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in Humboldt where he was treated for his injuries and released.

“This is another perfect example of hunters needing to know what is behind their target and maintaining a safe zone of fire,” said DNR Conservation Officer Brandon Bergquist.

Bergquist said the “post and drive” method of hunting pheasants where some hunters walk through cover while others wait on the end to prevent birds from running out is a popular technique, but that extra precautions need to be taken.

“It is important to know where all the people are in your group and to never shoot at low flying birds. We are fortunate that this incident was not any more serious than it was,” said Bergquist.