A teenager accidentally shot a 54-year-old hunter in the thigh with a buckshot pellet Thursday in South Jersey, officials said.

The single shot was fired by the16-year-old from Petersburg at the Peaslee Wildlife Management Area in Maurice River, a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said Friday.

The Millville resident was treated and released from an area hospital.

The incident is under investigation. A spokesman for the DEP didn't know if the two knew each other.

Peaslee Wildlife Management Area encompasses more than 25,000 acres and is the second largest wildlife management area in New Jersey.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.