LINCOLN COUNTY, KY — October 18, 2025
A quiet day in the woods turned devastating over the weekend when a 67-year-old man was fatally shot in a tragic hunting accident in rural Lincoln County.
Daniel Wilson, a longtime resident and outdoorsman, was spending his Saturday afternoon enjoying the peace of his family’s property—scouting deer and taking in the crisp October air. But what was meant to be a relaxing day in nature ended in heartbreak, after a teen participating in Kentucky’s youth-only firearm hunting season reportedly mistook Wilson for a deer and fired a single round.
The bullet struck Wilson in the leg, severing a major artery. Despite emergency response efforts, Wilson succumbed to massive blood loss on the scene.
Authorities say the teen, who was hunting alongside his father on the same property, believed he was firing at a deer when he pulled the trigger. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is assisting local authorities in investigating the circumstances, though officials have already categorized the incident as a “very, very tragic accident.”
“This is the first hunting-related death I’ve responded to in my 16 years as coroner,” said Lincoln County Coroner Farris Marcum. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”
It remains unclear whether Wilson was aware that a youth hunt was underway on the property that day. Kentucky’s youth-only firearm season runs from October 11th through the 19th, and encourages supervised participation by young hunters.
Wilson’s family, while devastated, is focusing on how their father would want his legacy to be remembered.
“He always told me: never shoot unless you are 100% sure of what you’re looking at,” said his son. “Dad would want this to be a lesson to others—to always prioritize safety above all else.”
Friends and neighbors in the tight-knit Lincoln County community remember Wilson as a kind, patient man with a deep respect for the outdoors. His passing has left a noticeable void, and grief is being felt deeply across the region.
“Our thoughts are with the Wilson family during this time,” said a statement from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. “This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of hunting safety.”
The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced any charges at this time. The teen involved is not being publicly identified due to his age.
As autumn continues across Kentucky, officials are urging hunters—young and old—to double-check their targets, wear blaze orange, and remember that one split-second decision can change lives forever.