MOUNT OLIVE, Alabama - A 75-year-old Mount Olive man died after he apparently shot himself accidentally while hunting in Jefferson County Saturday morning.

Max Wayne Reed was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:14 p.m. Saturday, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. An investigation is underway, but authorities don't suspect foul play.

Reed was hunting with friends and family Saturday at the Buck Short Hunting Club on Jett Road in Mount Olive. The others became concerned when he didn't show up where they had all planned to meet following the morning hunt, said Deputy Coroner Bill Yates.

The friends and family went to the elevated shooting house where Reed had been and found him unresponsive inside. Reed had a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Yates said it appeared Reed was lowering his rifle to the ground when it discharged. He had already packed up his gear and removed some of it from the shooting house.

"What a sad and tragic thing to have happen,'' said Jefferson County sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Christian. "Our hearts and prayers are with his family. This will be heart wrenching for them."