Lake Charles man found dead in apparent hunting accident

60-year-old hunter appears to have fallen from hunting stand; no saftety harness found, LDWF says.

A 60-year-old Lake Charles man was found dead in woods near Reeves in what the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries said was an apparent fatal hunting accident, the agency reported today (Oct. 19).

The body of Donald C. Hodge Sr. was found shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday, and it appeared the hunter had fallen from a stand, LDWF reported.

Hodge’s body was discovered after the Reeves Police Department received a report about a truck that had been parked on the side of Highway 190 near Rodeo Pen Road in Reeves for two to three days. The police department notified the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A sheriff’s deputy found the truck and followed a trail into the woods, discovering Hodge’s body about 100 yards inside the woods.

Hodges body was found under a tree with a lock-on deer stand lying next to him with what appeared to be broken straps that would normally secure the stand to the tree.

Authorities did not find a safety harness attached to Hodge or the tree.

His body was turned over to the Allen Parish Coroner’s Office. LDWF will be the lead investigative agency and do not suspect foul play.