Juniata County, PA – According to abc27, a wildlife violation charge has been filed against a young hunter in connection with the fatal shooting of another participant during a deer drive in Juniata County.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that 20-year-old Anthony Peachey II, of McAlisterville, faced a misdemeanor charge of shooting at, injuring, or killing a human being while hunting. The incident occurred on December 2, 2025, off Vincent Tram Road in Milford Township, but the formal charges were lodged on February 18, 2026.
Peachey was part of a large hunting party consisting of 22 individuals engaged in a deer drive, a collaborative hunting method where some participants work to flush deer toward stationary shooters. On the day of the event, Peachey and the victim, 26-year-old Floyd Wengerd, were among the drivers tasked with moving the deer.
According to the criminal complaint detailed by a state game warden, Peachey fired at what he believed to be a deer amid poor visibility conditions caused by snowfall. However, the shot struck Wengerd in the right hip, leading to his death. The Mifflin County Coroner later ruled the manner of death as accidental, with the cause being hypovolemic shock from the gunshot wound.
A state game warden responded to the scene shortly before 10:30 a.m. following reports of a hunting-related shooting. Upon arrival, the warden observed the gunshot wound as Wengerd was being loaded into an ambulance for transport to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In his statement to investigators, Peachey admitted to the shooting, initially claiming he had hit a tree branch that fell after his shot. He described the conditions as challenging, noting that he could not see the other drivers clearly due to the snow. Peachey explained that a deer had jumped up and run back between him and another driver, prompting him to take the shot. He reported hearing Wengerd yell immediately after firing.
The complaint highlighted Peachey’s carelessness, stating that he shot without knowing the positions of other drivers or what lay beyond the intended target. Investigators searched the area but found no evidence of a shot tree branch as Peachey had described.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission emphasized the importance of safety protocols during hunts, particularly in group settings like deer drives. Peachey led the warden to the shooting location, where the trajectory aligned with Wengerd’s position.
Court records indicate that Peachey awaits a preliminary hearing, the date of which has yet to be scheduled. This case underscores the risks associated with hunting in low-visibility conditions and the legal consequences of negligence in the field.
The incident has prompted discussions within hunting communities about reinforcing safety measures, such as clear communication and visibility checks among group members. The Game Commission continues to investigate any additional factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
This event serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance in Pennsylvania’s hunting traditions, where adherence to game laws is paramount to preventing such wildlife violations and ensuring participant safety. For more information, visit abc27.