Three dead during Wisconsin nine-day gun hunt

Only one shooting death previous five years

It has been the deadliest nine-day gun deer hunt in years.

The Wisconsin DNR says three are now dead from gunshot wounds after the hunt that just ended yesterday. 

There was only one other shooting death during the nine-day hunt in the previous five years.

The latest death, a 50 year-old man found with a gunshot wound to his chest under a tree stand in Marathon County. They suspect he accidentally shot himself.

Another man was shot and killed while handing a rifle to a woman in a tree stand.

The third was hit by a stray bullet, while hunting on his own land in Waushara County.

Five others have been injured by gunfire, including a 16 year-old boy who shot himself in the leg after falling asleep. 

Hunter education administrator Jon King says all of the deaths could have been avoided by practicing basic firearm safety rules.

“Just knowing the firearm safety rules is not enough,” King added. “Every single time you’re handling a gun, abide by those, remember them and put them into practice.”