ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says a man was seriously injured when his hunting partner mistook him for a squirrel in Allegan County.

The shooting incident happened in the Allegan State Game area about a month ago.

The squirrel hunter told a DNR officer he saw movement next to a tree about 20 yards away and shot at it with his 12-gauge shotgun. Unfortunately it turned out the movement came from his hunting partner, who he shot in the face.

DNR officers say the victim was taken to Allegan General Hospital with serious injuries to his face, eye and jaw. He was eventually flown from that hospital to a hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment.

The DNR says the victim wasn’t wearing any hunter orange at the time of the shooting. Michigan requires hunters to wear orange in most cases.

The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending, according to the DNR.