2 men accidentally shot in separate youth deer hunting incidents, authorities say

Two men were shot in separate incidents while supervising young hunters Sunday morning during Minnesota’s youth firearms deer hunting season.

The incidents happened during deer hunts in Hubbard and Sherburne counties.

According to the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, a 50-year-old man had to be airlifted to a hospital in Fargo after a 10-year-old hunter shot him through both buttocks while attempting to unload a rifle in Helga Township.

And in Becker Township, a 12-year-old girl shot her 45-year-old father in the leg after she shot a deer and then accidentally fired a second round, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said. A family member put a tourniquet around the father’s leg until emergency responders arrived to take him to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opens deer rifle hunting to youths ages 10-17 for one weekend each year. Children ages 10-13 must be accompanied by adults, and youths must tag their own deer. All participating minors are required to have a valid firearm deer license, and those 12 and older must also have a firearms safety certificate or an apprentice hunter validation.

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office noted the 12-year-old hunter had an apprentice hunter validation.