Hunter dies after delayed rescue

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A 47-year-old Moorhead man died Sunday afternoon while hunting deer with family members in muddy terrain in rural Clay County.

An autopsy will be conducted. The man experienced breathing difficulties and then collapsed, said Lt. Steve Todd of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

The man, whose name is being withheld pending notification of relatives, was hunting with a party of family members near the Clay County landfill, about 18 miles east of Moorhead and four miles south of Highway 10.

Several agencies responded to the medical assist, and multiple vehicles got mired in muddy fields trying to reach the victim.

“We had multiple vehicles stuck in the mud,” Todd said.

Ultimately a LifeFlight helicopter reached the scene. The hunter was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him failed. The body was taken by helicopter ambulance to drier, firmer ground and transported by vehicle to MeritCare Hospital.

Authorities expect to release the victim’s name today.

Tags: news, moorhead, deerhunting, claycounty, daily updates