A Wisconsin sheriff’s deputy is facing serious legal consequences after a tragic incident involving his 3-year-old daughter and a shotgun. This alarming case has sparked discussions about hunting safety, regulations, and the responsibilities of adult mentors in the field.
Incident Overview and Charges
James D. Lehman, a 35-year-old deputy from Union Grove, has been charged with four felonies, including two counts of reckless injury and two counts of negligent use of a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from an unfortunate event during the youth-only turkey hunting season in April, where a shotgun blast he let his daughter trigger resulted in injuries to a fellow hunter and his young son. Lehman’s court appearance is set for September 10, and reports indicate he is on administrative leave pending the outcome.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting took place around 2:20 p.m. on April 12 near Burlington, Wisconsin. This was the second day of the state’s turkey season restricted to hunters 15 years and younger. Wisconsin notably does not impose a minimum hunting age; however, young hunters must remain within arm’s reach of a certified mentor during the activity. While hunters aged 12 and older are required to obtain a hunting license, they cannot hunt independently until they reach 14 years of age and complete a state-sanctioned hunter education course. Lehman himself holds a military exemption for hunting but described his experience as limited, claiming he had rarely hunted independently before this incident.
Mentorship and Relationships
Initially reported as strangers, it was later revealed that Lehman and the injured parties were co-workers. According to the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) officials, Lehman had solicited advice from his colleague prior to the hunting trip, although Lehman claimed he was unaware that the man and his son would be hunting in the same area that afternoon. The criminal complaint cites that Lehman had been advised not to hunt in specific locations on the state forest lands.
Investigative findings suggested that Lehman mistook his colleague’s hand for a turkey, leading to the shooting shortly after the victim used a turkey call. Lehman was described as “blind-calling,” believing he spotted movement that resembled a turkey fan.
Aftermath and Reflections on Hunting Safety
The aftermath of this incident has raised significant alarms about the accountability of mentors during hunting activities, especially given the young age of the shooter. The injuries sustained by the victims were severe; the father and son suffered multiple pellet wounds, with the boy sustaining injuries that penetrated his skull. Reports indicate that recovery efforts included the surgical removal of pellets from critical areas, underscoring the serious nature of such hunting accidents.
While hunting in Wisconsin is generally considered safe—evident from the state’s relatively low incident rates despite high participation—it serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards involved. Wisconsin has recorded only a few fatalities in hunting accidents each year, demonstrating that while incidents like this one are rare, they can still occur and have devastating consequences.
Encouragingly, experts, including the DNR’s Lt. Renee Thok, stress the importance of safety education for all hunters, regardless of age or experience. She advocates taking Wisconsin’s hunter education course, which is mandatory for individuals born after January 1, 1973. This initiative aims not only to prevent such tragedies from recurring but also to promote a culture of safety and responsibility among future generations of hunters.