Deer Attacks Hunter: What to Do to Keep This From Happening to You

We heard a story about a hunter in Wisconsin who got a rough reminder about bowhunting safety. He was attacked by a deer he was hunting.

We can learn some valuable lessons from this incident. While this type of hunting accident doesn't happen often, it's important for hunters to understand that it could happen and how to avoid it. 

So, today, we highlight some safety essentials the hunter likely missed and could have applied to avoid this situation. 

What Happened?

The report, portrayed as a "revenge of the deer" tale, says the 72-year-old hunter was injured when the doe he was tracking while crossbow hunting surprised him and hit him in the leg. 

The hunter was transported by ambulance to the hospital, and the deer got away.

Let's be clear: This is a rare and bizarre situation. Most of the time, hunters come home unscathed. However, incidents like this can be serious if proper precautions aren't taken.

What Were the Safety Issues?

We don't know a lot about the story, but we do have some details. Let's review the hunter's actions and talk about what they should have done instead. 

The Wrong Approach

We've learned that the hunter wounded the deer and tracked it through some thick brush. The deer then leaped out and attacked the hunter. 

Instead, the hunter should have approached the deer from behind and above. If he had, the deer would have been more likely to leap away from him rather than toward him.

Not a Clean Shot

In wounding the deer, we know the hunter didn't make a clean shot. This left the doe wounded. 

Proper shot placement is critical! A clean shot should be a "kill" shot rather than wounding the animal. On a deer, bowhunters should aim for the chest cavity, with the intent to strike the liver, diaphragm, lungs, and heart.

The Hunter Did Some Things Right

Unfortunately, the deer attacked after being shot, but the hunter did several things right. Let's look at those positive actions, too. 

He Waited

The hunter waited before tracking the deer. It's unclear how long he waited, but it's safest to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before following a deer when you know you only wounded it. 

This gives you time to gather yourself and calm down after the adrenaline of taking a shot and hitting your target. It also gives the deer time to calm down and (ideally) lay down while it passes away – preventing an attack situation. 

He Let People Know

Friends or family knew where he was hunting and were able to help him get out when he was injured.

Leaving a hunt plan with someone you trust is an excellent safety protocol. Let someone know where you plan to hunt and when you return. If you don't make it back in time, they know where to direct help to find you quickly. 

He Received Help Quickly

The deer injured the hunter's leg, which can be a serious injury – especially if hunting alone far from your vehicle. However, this hunter was able to receive help quickly and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. 

How should you track an animal after the shot? Check out this video to find out! 

Hunter Safety Helps Prevent Animal Attacks and Injuries

It's important to remember that these kinds of incidents are pretty rare. That's in large part because of hunter education and safety measures. 

A lot can happen in the field – it's wild out there! If you want to brush up on your bowhunting safety, it's always a good idea to take a bowhunting education course in your state. 

Through Hunter-Ed, you can also learn crucial hunter safety best practices for preparing for a hunt, using your firearm safely, and tracking and caring for your game in the field. Find the course for your state and start learning! Then, stay safe this hunting season. 

Originally published January 5, 2015. Content updated January 3, 2023.