A woman walking her dog in Big Flatts, Wisconsin, was shot in the abdomen recently by a hunter who confused her dog for a deer. The state’s deer season opened over the weekend.

The shooting took place on private property Sunday morning when an unnamed 62-year-old disabled man opened fire on what he thought was a deer without antlers. 

Instead, the 47-year-old woman was struck and eventually airlifted for treatment for her injuries, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources explained in a release Tuesday. She remains in the hospital.

State wildlife officials named neither the hunter nor the shooting victim. State wildlife officials suggest that both hunters and non-hunters wear bright colors in order to be seen by others during hunting season.

“It’s obviously a good idea for non-hunters during any deer-firearm season to consider wearing blazing orange, fluorescent pink, or a high visible color. A good idea for those same people to consider putting those high-visibility vests or collars on their pets as well,” DNR Hunter Education Administrator Lt. Mike Weber told WMTV-TV.

Wisconsin DNR is continuing to investigate the shooting to determine whether or not the man involved will face charges.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.