We've been doing deer and bear drives on a 3,500 acre timber company property that my hunting club leases for the twenty-five years I've been a member and they did them many years prior to that.

They are maxed out at the 25 man limit too. It is a very productive way to hunt. Especially deer, especially after the first few days when the go completely nocturnal and bed in the thickest, nastiest cover the can find.

In all that time, during all those drives with all those guys and girls, there's never been an accident or even anything remotely like a close call.

Statistically, there are many common things more likely to injure or kill you. I think your more likely to be shot while in the spring woods hunting turkey than while driving deer or bear.

There's nothing dumb about it.

Grew up doing drives. Bear camp used to have 20 to 25 guys. I don't see it any different than walking through the woods alone in rifle season. Maybe safer since the all the people around know u r there and where u r going.
Amish are not known for safety. And a stander wasn't shot, a driver was by another driver. We are all in a line and can see each other. Some whistle, some yell or make other noises. Normally deer do not make those noises so its easy for standers to know what's coming way before they see them.

Will be driving deer this weekend. It's the only way my group hunts deer. Been doing it safely and successfully for many years.

no tree frog like Delaware rob posted only during youth hunts . And I said when they were 11 and 12 because that was the point I knew they were safer then most adults and had watched and taught them for years at that point. They started killing deer at 6( I thought it was 7 but my youngest promptly corrected me on that point)

Once they were shooting squirrels regularly at 25 yards with their 22's and could point out where to shoot deer on pictures at every conceivable angle I started taking them deer hunting.

Today they let many deer walk each year shoot as many as they want tell limits hit or they get burnt out or run out of freezer space. . They scout and pick locations shoot, track, gut, skin quarter them on their own when I'm not home. Part of the rules no hunting if I'm not home if you can't take care of what you kill without me.

My kids don't get sheltered. So many do it no wonder 30 year old men live in their parents basement.

I would not be a hunter at all if I had been required to have an adult to take me as a kid. I didn't have anyone. I got a ride to Aunt and uncle's and walked with my cousin(same age) to hunt from there . 100% self taught other than vhs hunting tapes I rented from national video. I grew up with single mom in an apartment.
Killed my first several deer with a bow( mom didn't like guns) started at 13. didn't kill my first deer with a gun tell I was 16 or 17. Always had my bow tags filled before gun came in or never would have take a gun hunting I liked bow hunting so much. but gun hunting keep me in the woods after my bow tags were filled.

Authorities have released the name of the 26 year old Amish man who died after being struck by a bullet during a deer drive in the Pennsylvania mountains. The Mifflin County Coroner’s Office confirmed the details on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The man, identified as Floyd Wengerd of McAlisterville, had been part of a large hunting group of two dozen people on a snowy ridge near Vincent Tram Road in Milford Township. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that the incident happened around 8:20 a.m.

Wengerd was helping move deer toward the waiting hunters when a buck unexpectedly ran back toward the driving line. Two members of the group fired at the deer, and one of the shots traveled through the line, striking Wengerd in the right hip. Investigators estimate he was about 127 yards away from the shooter.

Friends and neighbors said Wengerd had recently relocated to Mercer County but had returned to hunt with relatives from the Guys Mills Amish community. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters, including an infant only a month old.
Wengerd worked at Shade Mt. Granite and was described by those who knew him as a gentle, respectful young man.

Reaching him proved extremely difficult first responders had to travel nearly a mile and a half through rugged, snow covered woods. Multiple fire companies, EMS crews, state police, and game wardens took part in the effort. Community members said he was still conscious when rescuers finally reached him and moved him to an ambulance. He was transported to Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, where he passed away shortly after noon.


The coroner ruled the death accidental, caused by severe blood loss from the gunshot wound. Some emergency responders noted that winter conditions likely slowed rescue efforts in the remote area.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is treating the case as a fatal hunting accident. No charges have been filed.

Two dozen people is way too many to keep track of.

Shot in the hip and died.... does PA not have ATVs/snowmobiles for situations such as this? Seems as though a trained medical professional could have prevented him from bleeding out even if they couldn't immediately get him off the mountain......

There's some seriously rough country in PA.

Also feel sorry for the shooter. And the whole group too. what a thing to live the rest of his life with.....jk

I agree and there is but I also had the same thoughts as yotetrapper. I read at least two articles where someone in authority was admitting that the guy would have lived if not for the weather and terrain. I find it hard to believe that it took as long as it did to get him to a hospital. One report said they were felling trees to get to him, that makes no sense.I'll see if I can find that article.

Around here the fire dept's use 6x6's to get people out of rough terrain. Often times they have to cut trails in to get to the people, turn around, and get back out.

Father Shot During Deer Drive

“The victim was way on top I would say a mile up, and there were no roads to him,” said Eric Coldren, deputy president of the Mifflintown Fire Company and paramedic.

Dangerous terrain and weather hampered the rescue, according to Coldren. He said the combination of snow, ice, and remoteness drastically limited the victim’s chance of survival.

When he reached the victim, Coldren said the man was still talking, though slowly, and was covered in blood that was seeping through his hunting gear.

“He had everything against him right there,” Coldren said. “If the winter weather wasn’t going on, it would have increased his chances.

Almost fifty responders took part in the rescue operation; Coldren called it one of the most dangerous of his long career. They had to use chainsaws and were sliding and falling on very steep terrain, as they cut a path to get the wounded man down the mountain. Several fire companies, EMS, state police, and game wardens were involved.

When they finally managed to get him to an ambulance, Wengerd was still alive, but tragically passed away at the hospital. Lieutenant Amy Nabozny of the Pennsylvania Game Commission added further detail:

“There were two individuals who shot, but they pretty much narrowed it down to one individual who was responsible for the shot that struck the victim,” said Lieutenant Nabozny.

“People get amped up — they get target-focused and they lose sight of their surroundings.”

I really feel for that person who they believe is responsible for the accidental shot. It was an accident, but is a heavy burden to carry. His community – and I’m assuming he’s Amish as well – will be caring for him, as well as for the family of the victim. Floyd Wengerd’s funeral will be tomorrow; his obituary can be viewed here.

Been doing deer drives my entire life I am 63 no one ever even came close to get shot. Largest group with rifle ever was 12 people today 8. Most of our standers are all elevated, if not adult stand there. Know all of our group very well.


Must be different amish order than here. As a town board chair I have spoke with several, recently about a school they located on a county hwy. I stopped and told them your kids are walking down the highway and won't move over they are going to die. Response: "we do not want them to die, but f they die it is Gods will". I stated and I as well as others have to live with running a kid over.