The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating a fatal shooting that happened during a hunt Saturday afternoon on Pennsylvania State Game Lands 197 property in Columbus Township, Warren County.

Jason Amory, an information and education supervisor with the game commission’s northwest region office in Franklin identified the victim as 64-year-old Gary R. Hunt from Corry.

The game commission's investigation into the deadly accident is not yet complete, but according to initial reports, Hunt was hunting bear with a 42-year-old companion. 

The fellow hunter was crossing a creek in front of him when investigators say he tripped or slipped and his firearm, a .270  rifle discharged behind him. 

Hunt was hit in the abdomen and fatally wounded.  The initial rescue call indicated that someone was in cardiac arrest.  The victim was deceased when authorities and rescuers arrived on scene in the game lands.

Saturday was the first day of bear hunting season in Pennsylvania.  Authorities responded to the fatal accident at 12:05 p.m.