A hunting mishap in Lewis County leaves an avid outdoorsman dead.
Authorities say 32-year old Shawn Stewart of Walkersville was killed Monday while turkey hunting in Lewis County. A search of the Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management area was launched when Stewart failed to meet up with members of his hunting party after a day in the woods.
A number of volunteers and emergency personnel combed the woods until locating Stewart’s body Tuesday evening across the bay from the Vandalia Ramp of Stonewall Jackson Lake. He had been shot in the head.
State Police and Conservation Officers from the DNR are investigating the incident. Officers say he suffered a gunshot wound to the head, but investigators aren’t saying if it was a rifle or shotgun. State Police collected forensic evidence Tuesday and authorities are today interviewing other hunters who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting.
Stewart was an avid outdoorsman and very familiar with the area. He was an accomplished bass fisherman with several wins on the West Virginia Bass Federation tournament trail. He leaves behind a wife and young son.
West Virginia’s spring gobbler season opened on Monday statewide.