Amish Father Shot & Killed During “Deer Drive” Involving 24 Hunters

An Amish father of two has died following a hunting accident in the mountains of Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

The man was accidentally shot by another hunter while participating in a “deer drive” – a technique using two groups of hunters, where one group flushes deer out for others to shoot. More from WJAC:

JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A 26-year-old hunter is dead after another hunter accidentally shot him while aiming for a deer in Juniata County, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The commission said a group of 24 hunters were conducting a “deer drive,” and the victim was part of the team that was driving the deer towards the standers.

The group was approximately 100-200 yards into the drive when a buck jumped up and broke back through the line of drivers, according to the commission.

Two members of the hunting party reportedly shot at the buck, subsequently striking the victim, who was in the direct line of fire. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was shot in the hip and passed away from his injuries.

Here’s more from the Daily Voice on the victim, a young Amish father:

The victim was Floyd Wengerd of McAlisterville. He was taking part in a 24-person hunting group on a snowy mountain off Vincent Tram Road in Milford Township around 8:20 a.m., according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Wengerd was part of the team driving deer toward “standers” when a buck suddenly jumped up and ran back through the line. Two hunters fired at the buck, and one of the rounds struck Wengerd in the right hip as he stood in the direct line of fire. Investigators said he was approximately 127 yards from the shooter.

Community members shared that Wengerd had moved from central Pennsylvania to Mercer County last year and had returned home to hunt with family from the Guys Mills Amish community. He leaves behind his wife and two young daughters, including a 1-month-old baby.

He worked at Shade Mt. Granite and was remembered as a “very nice young man,” according to those who knew him.

I saw this story yesterday. There was no word about it in the report I saw, but I had an idea this might involve an Amish group, given the location in particular (Juniata County is home to a good-sized Amish settlement), and the fondness of many Amish people for hunting. The fact that it involved a large group also fit with the idea of an Amish activity.

Sadly, the location of the hunt – in rugged, snowy terrain, distant from the nearest road – complicated Wengerd’s rescue. The conditions didn’t help his survival chances, according to one of the rescuers (via WJAC):

Eric Coldren, Deputy President of the Mifflintown Fire Company and Paramedic, said that if the weather conditions weren’t so bad, the young man could have survived. Coldren explained that it was a difficult mission going up the mountain and it took over an hour to get to the victim.

“The victim was way on top I would say a mile up, and there were no roads to him,” said Eric Coldren, deputy president of the Mifflintown Fire Company and paramedic.

Dangerous terrain and weather hampered the rescue, according to Coldren. He said the combination of snow, ice, and remoteness drastically limited the victim’s chance of survival.

When he reached the victim, Coldren said the man was still talking, though slowly, and was covered in blood that was seeping through his hunting gear.

“He had everything against him right there,” Coldren said. “If the winter weather wasn’t going on, it would have increased his chances.”

Almost fifty responders took part in the rescue operation; Coldren called it one of the most dangerous of his long career. They had to use chainsaws and were sliding and falling on very steep terrain, as they cut a path to get the wounded man down the mountain. Several fire companies, EMS, state police, and game wardens were involved.

When they finally managed to get him to an ambulance, Wengerd was still alive, but tragically passed away at the hospital. Lieutenant Amy Nabozny of the Pennsylvania Game Commission added further detail:

“There were two individuals who shot, but they pretty much narrowed it down to one individual who was responsible for the shot that struck the victim,” said Lieutenant Nabozny.

“People get amped up — they get target-focused and they lose sight of their surroundings.”

I really feel for that person who they believe is responsible for the accidental shot. It was an accident, but is a heavy burden to carry. His community – and I’m assuming he’s Amish as well – will be caring for him, as well as for the family of the victim. Floyd Wengerd’s funeral will be tomorrow; his obituary can be viewed here.

It sounds dangerous

The big caveat here is that I’m no hunter, so add whatever amount of salt seems appropriate to these comments. But I simply would not feel comfortable in a hunting group that large.

I’m sure a “deer drive” is something that can be done safely. But logic says that the more people you add to an activity like that, the greater the chance you have of someone being inexperienced, of getting too “amped up” to use Nabozny’s term, and/or simply making a mistake. Two dozen people with firearms is simply a lot of moving parts to coordinate.

As it happens, in the final minute of the video report embedded below, they share feedback from hunters on the effectiveness of a deer drive. And it sounds like they got a good bit of it.

One respondent replied: “Very effective. Needs to be controlled and 25 people is way too many.” Another said “Effective strategy, but it’s not hunting.” Another commented that it can be effective, but there needs to be a good plan in place with good organization and a “Captain” leading the drive.

Hopefully other hunters will take this tragedy to take a good look at their own general safety considerations, and especially if they plan to do this type of activity.

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