The ageing hunter was standing in line with four other men when he was hit by a bullet meant for a wild boar near Imsweiler in Donnersbergkreis county.
The police believe another 61-year-old hunter fired a first shot as the pig was running across an open field.
“Apparently he fired his weapon again as the animal was fleeing into the forest,” a police statement said. “But he hit the other hunter who was standing around 80 metres away.”
The injured hunter died at the scene. Police have opened a criminal investigation.
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