Iowa man suffers self inflicted injury on his way to hunt deer

CRAWFORD COUNTY, IOWA – An Iowa man suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound to his thigh from a pistol he was carrying in his waistband shortly after he began walking to the field to hunt deer with his muzzleloader. The injury occurred around 5 p.m. on October 17, in southern Crawford County.

Daniel Gehling, age 51 of Denison, was taken to Denison hospital and then flown by helicopter to Omaha medical center for surgery. He is currently in stable condition.

Gehling was heading to the field with his wife Carolyn. He adjusted the gun in his waistband when it discharged. Carolyn called for help and then applied pressure on the wound until rescue personnel arrived.

It is common for hunters who have a permit to carry, to carry a pistol with them while hunting. It is illegal to have a pistol in possession while archery hunting.