PAGE COUNTY, Iowa – Iowa DNR Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting incident involving a group of quail hunters in Page County on November 1.

Neil Bartelt, 58, of Fruitland, Iowa, was injured while upland bird hunting in the northwest corner of Page County, near the Montgomery, Mills, and Fremont county lines, around 3:00p.m. on November 1 when he was acting as a “blocker” for his hunting group. The four other members of the hunting group were walking towards Bartelt when they scared up a group of quail. Several of the hunters fired shots at the quail striking Bartelt with pellets in the face and abdomen.

Bartelt was transported to the Shenandoah Medical Center Hospital with minor injuries. The investigation continues into this incident.

Media Contact: Adam Arnold, DNR Conservation Officer, Adam.Arnold@dnr.iowa.gov.