Carroll County Man Shot While Hunting: IN DNR

CARROLL COUNTY — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said conservation officers are investigating what report is an unintentional shooting that took place Saturday, Feb. 16 in southern Carroll County. Officers said Carroll County Dispatch received a 911 call at 11 a.m. reporting a man had been shot while rabbit hunting. According to officers, investigators determined three men had been hunting along an abandoned railroad bed north of Cutler.

Officers said 27-year-old Michael Clendening was hunting with a 12 gauge shotgun, when he shot at a running rabbit. According to officials, Clendening said he didn't see another hunter, 35-year-old Nathaniel Seele, hunting the same area, who fell and yelled he'd been shot after Clendening fired.

It was estimated, according to officers, that Seele was 10 yards away from Clendening when he was shot. Clendening and another hunter quickly went to help Seele, who requested they drive him home, officers said, adding that once home, emergency services were called.

Seele was flown to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with non-life-threatening injuries, officers said.

According to a release, Officer Jarred Coffing determined the three hunters were legally hunting and were wearing the required orange clothing.

Officials said responding law enforcement agencies included Indiana Conservation Officers, Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, Carroll County EMS, Delphi Fire Department, Delphi Police Department, and IU Lifeline.

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