The Star Tribune
NEVIS, Minn. — Two hunters both stood up at the same time in their boat in northern Minnesota, with one losing his balance and fatally shooting his partner over the weekend as they each took aim at the same target, authorities said Monday.
Adam E. Poole, 23, of Nevis, Minn., died late Saturday afternoon on a river connecting 3rd and 4th Crow Wing Lakes, about 15 miles east of Park Rapids, according to the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office.
“They both stood up in the boat in an effort to shoot at a duck,” a statement from the Sheriff’s Office read. “The hunting partner lost his balance, and the shotgun he was carrying discharged. Poole was struck in the head and died from his injuries.”
Authorities say they are treating Poole’s death strictly as an accident. The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of the hunting partner.
Mike Hammer, education program coordinator with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said, “Anytime you are on the water, it’s going to be unstable. The main thing is to keep in mind is zones of fire because you are in a confined space.”
The reality is, Hammer added, that most waterfowl hunters in boats “are standing, depending on the height of the vegetation. It doesn’t take much to lose your balance by somebody shifting their weight.”
Hammer recommends to hunters in the same watercraft to take aim “back to back” and be “seated and have your feet firmly planted on the bottom of the boat.”
Poole was married a month ago, according to his Facebook page, which includes a photo of himself and his wedding party wearing hunting camouflage tuxedo vests.
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