RS officials offer safety tips after fatal hunting accident

MANNING, S.C. (WIS) – The Clarendon County Coroner’s Office confirmed that 23-year-old Skylar Mckenzie died in a shooting Wednesday morning and that the death was hunting-related.

An autopsy is planned for Saturday. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has not released the circumstances surrounding Skylar Mckenzie’s death.

However, they confirmed that the attack took place on private property in a forested area off Jul Net Road.

“An old deer? How many horns does it have? Do they have horns? “If you can’t answer all these questions, you don’t know if it’s a deer,” said SC DNR Lance Corporal Mike Ferrell. “If people did this 100% of the time, I would say most accidents would be prevented.”

Ferrell, who specializes in educating people about hunting safety, says as someone who educates people about hunting safety every day, deaths from hunting accidents are no surprise when people don’t take extra precautions.

Clemson University Department of Plant Industry officials destroyed multiple...

The idea he recommends all hunters keep in mind is to always identify your target.

“As you approach that animal, you ask questions; Is this 100 percent what I’m looking for?” “That’s the most important thing,” Ferrell said. Set your goal.”

Ferrell emphasized that making yourself visible by wearing bright orange is another way to keep people safe. This, he says, can reduce accidents when hunting in groups and distract others from the wrong target.

“Wear an orange hat so you can look like it; There’s also a light on,” Ferrell said. “There’s not a deer wandering around in the woods with an orange hat on and a light on.”

Ferrell also emphasized that when someone goes hunting, they should have a map showing where they’re going to avoid accidentally trespassing on private property.