ALLISON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Iowa man was fatally wounded when his wife’s gun discharged while they were hunting on Christmas Eve.

Butler County Sheriff Jason Johnson says in a news release that the shooting was reported a little before 11:30 a.m. Saturday near Allison. The sheriff says Kathleen Hummel, of Waverly, told deputies that she and her husband, 47-year-old Kirk Hummel, were rabbit hunting on his parents’ farm when her rifle accidentally fired.

Johnson says Kirk Hummel died before reaching a hospital.