Robert Duane Peterson, 69, of Nowthen, Minnesota, died on November 9, 2014, after an accidental gunshot to the chest while in his deer stand in Automba Township, Carlton County. His son dropped him at the stand about 6 a.m.; roughly four and a half hours later the son returned and found his father fatally wounded. Authorities concluded the wound was self-inflicted and accidental; no arrests or suspects were involved.

Peterson’s death came during the opening weekend of Minnesota’s firearms deer season and was one of two hunting fatalities reported that weekend, the other involving 50-year-old Paul Scholl in Mahnomen County. The case was described as a tragic hunting accident and prompted discussion about hunting safety and vigilance.

Did anyone in the area know Robert Peterson or have information about safety practices at that time?