Louisiana Hunter Shot After Feral Hog Attacks Dog and Another Hunter

Union Parish, Louisiana – The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office (UPSO) reported on February 7, 2023, that on Sunday, February 5, deputies were dispatched to the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, near Pace Brown Road in the Dean community of Marion, Louisiana, in response to a shooting. Deputies and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division arrived and began investigating the circumstances that resulted in a man being wounded by a gunshot.

Tony McKinnie, 39, and Cody Ebey, 33, both of Farmerville, Louisiana, were discovered in the federal wildlife refuge hunting squirrels. While squirrel hunting, a group of feral hogs attacked one of their squirrel dogs, according to both men. When Ebey attempted to separate their dog from the hogs, one of them charged McKinnie. The hog struck McKinnie in the leg, knocking him over. McKinnie attempted to shoot the hog with a.17 HMR rifle while falling. Instead of hitting the hog, the bullet struck Ebey in the arm.

McKinnie then began first aid and called for help. Northeast Union Fire District arrived on the scene and began treating Ebey, who was later transported to a local hospital by Pafford EMS. According to the investigation, the bullet passed through the victim’s arm and then lodged in his leg.

Both men told deputies that the shooting was unintentional.

This incident is still being investigated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.