Hunter Shoots Himself in Madison County

MADISON COUNTY, Ind. – Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting accident which occurred in Madison County Saturday evening.  At approximately 5:55 P.M. the Madison County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a relative of a man who had accidentally shot himself while deer hunting. When deputies arrived on the scene, located off CR 500 E in Middletown, they discovered Karl Stratton, age 50, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his upper right thigh.  Stratton was treated at the scene by EMS personnel and was then transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Conservation Officer Josiah Julian determined that Stratton’s 12-gauge shotgun had accidentally discharged as he attempted to grab the soft case it was in, which was hanging from a branch next to his ladder stand. The gun was pointed towards him with the safety off. Indiana Conservation Officers would like to remind hunters of the importance of handling firearms in a safe manner while in the field.  Always leave the safety on to help prevent accidental discharges and keep firearms pointed in a safe direction at all times.