Mich. Deer Hunter Killed When Own Gun Discharges

Authorities in western Michigan say a 59-year-old deer hunter accidentally shot himself to death as he climbed a tree stand.

The Allegan County sheriff's office says Robert Johnson of Bloomingdale in the Kalamazoo area was shot Tuesday morning.

The shooting is under investigation.

Firearm season for deer hunters opened Monday in Michigan.

The state reported no hunting deaths during last year's deer firearm season.

Hunters in Michigan killed about 9 percent fewer deer last year than they did in 2008. About 444,000 deer were harvested last year, down from about 490,000 in 2008.

About 686,000 people went out to hunt in 2009, down about 1 percent from the previous season.

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