CHADRON, Neb. — A 16-year-old boy from Chadron was injured in a dove hunting incident Saturday evening in rural Dawes County, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Authorities said the accident happened around 6:45 p.m. Sept. 6 on private property southwest of Chadron. The teen was unintentionally shot at close range by another member of his hunting party.

He was taken by his party to Chadron Community Hospital with birdshot wounds to his face, torso, arm and hand. He was treated and released.

Game and Parks said this marks the second hunting incident reported in Nebraska this year. Since the state implemented mandatory hunter education and hunter orange requirements in 1972, annual hunting incidents have declined by more than 70 percent.

Hunters are urged to review the four primary rules of firearm safety: treat every firearm as if it is loaded; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; be sure of your target and what is beyond it; and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to fire.

The incident remains under investigation.