A man died in rural Ollie after a hunting accident and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating. According to the DNR, 76-year-old Raymond Byers was reported missing when he didn’t return home from hunting Thursday during early muzzleloader season. He was on his property.

The Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the local fire and rescue teams located Byers deceased. Investigators believe Byers fatally fell from a treestand. The DNR investigation is ongoing and an autopsy will be performed at the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny.

The DNR is reminding hunters to wear a full body harness or fall-restraint device when using treestands and maintain three points of contact when climbing in and out of it. Remember to use a haul line to raise and lower equipment. The DNR advises that stands should not be left up year round, before using a treestand for the season always check the straps, buckles, and climbing steps for proper condition.