The hunter and her friend were gathered at their truck preparing for the hunt just prior to the 8 a.m. opener Saturday at the Twelve Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area near Estherville in Emmet County. The hunter’s friend handed her the 20-guage shotgun, but neither had a good grip and the gun slipped from their hands. As the young woman went to catch the gun, it discharged, striking one of her toes.
She was taken to the hospital in Estherville for treatment.
With hunting seasons in full swing, Iowa DNR officials remind hunters to follow standard safety precautions in the field, including verbally acknowledging having a good grip on guns when handing them off in the field.
