Woolstock, Iowa — Authorities say a pheasant hunter in north-central Iowa was accidentally shot when a dog stepped on shotgun trigger guard and the gun fired.
The Iowa Natural Resources Department said the shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday at a public hunting area near Woolstock in southwestern Wright County.
The department said four hunters and two dogs were looking for the game birds when one of the hunters placed a loaded 12-gauge shotgun on the ground.
It went off when one of the dogs stepped on the trigger guard, and shotgun load sprayed another hunter.
The department said several pellets lodged in the back of William Rancourt, of Lebanon, but he was able to walk soon after being wounded.
He was taken to a hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa, for treatment.