Two people die while hunting in Winneshiek County

Two deaths of hunters in Winneshiek County on Saturday appear to have been caused by heart attacks and not be shooting accidents.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department, Iowa DNR officials, Iowa State Patrol, Winneshiek Frist Responders, Decorah Paramedics and Decorah Fire Department were called to the Bluffton area on Saturday.  A 61-year-old man was found unconscious in a wooded area.  CPR was performed on the subject, but he was unable to be resuscitated.

The second incident occurred in the Highlandville area on Saturday.  A 54-year-old man was hunting with a friend and was found unconscious in a wooded area.  CPR was performed, but the second man also could not be resuscitated.

Police did a thorough investigation of both deaths and it was determined in both cases that death was caused by health issues and not from the discharge of a weapon or an accidental shooting.

The names of both deceased men are being withheld until all family members can be notified.