A 50-year-old man shot himself in the arm while hunting coyotes on his Calgary property Monday night.

Det. Steve Adair said the man's unfortunate luck struck around 7 p.m. while driving around his southeast Calgary acreage with a 12 gauge shotgun on his lap.

The gun discharged at some point, blasting him in the elbow.

To add to injury, Adair said there are now questions regarding his use of the gun.

"This is where it gets a little complicated," Adair said.

His property in the 11,000 block of 146 Ave. S.E. is within city limits, where the use of firearms is prohibited under a bylaw.

"He's still protecting livestock on his acreage, he may be fully in his rights to do so, but then there's the bylaw," said Adair.

Police said Tuesday morning they were still looking into the matter.

In the meantime, he said this case should underscore the importance of gun safety.

michael.wood@sunmedia.ca

On Twitter: @SUNMichaelWood