In a tragic incident, a 26-year-old hunter from Illinois lost his life after being shot in the face by a member of his hunting party while seeking waterfowl in the Bays Branch Wildlife Area in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed the unfortunate incident on Saturday.

The victim, identified as Seth Egelhoff, was shot as he and his hunting companions were engaged in their hunting activities. Authorities swiftly responded to the scene after receiving the distress call at around 1pm on Saturday. They immediately arranged for Egelhoff to be transported by a medical helicopter for urgent medical intervention.

Despite the swift action taken, Egelhoff succumbed to his injuries during the journey and passed away en route. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources' law enforcement arm is currently conducting an investigation into the specifics encompassing his untimely demise, with assistance from the Guthrie County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa State Patrol.

According to Conservation Officer Jeremy King, preliminary findings suggest that the shooting was accidental. Further details surrounding the circumstances leading up to the incident are yet to be revealed, as the investigation is still ongoing.

This unfortunate incident marks the second hunting-related shooting in Iowa within the past month. Last month, Mark Arends, a 53-year-old man, was fatally shot while hunting coyotes with friends. Arends was struck by a single rifle shot, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources launched a separate investigation into his death.

Just last week, a similar accident occurred in neighboring Minnesota, where a man was accidentally shot while hunting. Thankfully, the victim survived the incident, but the incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of adhering to proper safety protocols while engaged in hunting activities.

Jamie Cook, a hunting education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, emphasized the significance of implementing safety measures and abiding by the "Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety." Cook emphasized fundamental guidelines such as treating every firearm as if it were loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and ensuring awareness of what is in front of and beyond the target.

The tragic demise of Seth Egelhoff serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with hunting and underscores the necessity for hunters to prioritize safety to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Authorities continue to urge all hunters to exercise caution and remain vigilant in adhering to proper safety protocols while engaging in their hunting pursuits.