NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Rodeo man died on Thursday when he was shot while hunting in the Mendocino National Forest.
Edgardo A. Godoy, 52, was hunting near Covelo when another hunter shot and mortally wounded him, according to a report from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
At around 3:30 p.m. Thursday the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to mile post marker 11.2 on Road M1, located in the Mendocino National Forest, near Covelo, regarding the hunting accident, officials said.
Upon arrival sheriff's personnel learned from a witness that a member of a hunting party saw a wild pig approximately 70 yards uphill and across a ravine from his location. Not seeing Godoy, the hunter shot at the pig.
When the hunter went to the area where he last saw the wild pig, he located Godoy, who had suffered a single gunshot wound, officials said.
The witness – whose name is being withheld as the investigation is continuing – immediately rendered aid to Godoy and called for help on his handheld radio. Other hunters quickly arrived at which time they assisted in rendering first aid as well, according to the report.
Godoy was moved to the M1 Road where first aid was continued until medical personnel from Cal Fire US Forest Service arrived. Sheriff's officials said medical personnel from Cal Fire and the US Forest Service rendered aid to Godoy for at least 10 minutes, at which time a medical team from CalStar landed to assist.
When the medical flight team arrived, Godoy was pronounced dead, the sheriff's office reported.
Upon further investigation it was determined that Godoy received a single gunshot wound to the lower abdomen, officials said.
The agency said the names of the witnesses and other involved parties to this incident are currently being withheld as the investigation into the shooting continues.