November 15, 2011
From HastingsTribune.com
HUBBELL — A 69-year-old Hubbell man was killed while hunting
near here on Sunday, the second day of rifle season for deer.
Thayer County Attorney Daniel Werner announced today in a news
release that David Donan was shot by his hunting partner,
72-year-old George McLeod of Hubbell, who thought Donan was a deer.
Upon walking to the area, McLeod learned he had wounded his
friend, Werner said in the news release. Donan was rushed by rescue
unit to Thayer County Health Services in Hebron where he was treated
for trauma prior to arrival of a life flight helicopter called to
transport him to Lincoln.
Donan died at the Hebron hospital before the life flight arrived.
In an interview this morning, Werner said he had determined the
fatal shooting was accidental and no charges would be filed.
Donan was attired in blaze orange as required by Nebraska game
laws. McLeod was hunting with a Marlin 30-30 rifle when the shooting
occurred.
Werner said one factor contributing to the shooting was that the
men were hunting during pre-dawn hours, shortly after shooting was
permitted. Also, he said, McLeod failed to identify his target,
which he assumed to be a deer, before firing his rifle.
Werner is reminding hunters that safety requires a positive
identification of any target and that the hunter knows the
background behind the target and the location of any other hunters
or people who may be in the area.
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