A man out hunting deer accidentally shot his pal instead of one of the animals.

Authorities in South Carolina say the man had stepped down from a deer stand in Oconee County when the other man shot.

Credit: WYFF

The incident is being investigating by wildlife agents who say the man was rushed to hospital shortly after the incident which took place at around 7.30am.

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A buckshot passed through his upper body according to Captain Robert McCullough from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. He underwent surgery, but his condition has not been revealed.

WYFF reports the men were part of a bigger group, who may have been from an area nearby named Liberty. No names have been released and, as yet, no charges have been filed.

Police have been seen in the area, looking at the deer stand - an elevated platform fitted in trees to give hunters a better look-out spot. It isn't yet known if the person who shot the man was also on one of the deer stands at the time.

Authorities said the incident should serve as a reminder for anyone hunting in the forest that they should wear orange so they can be easily spotted.

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Credit: PA

Earlier this year, a teenage hunter was shot and killed while out hunting deer.

Seventeen-year-old Bobby Lane was out in a group hunting deer when its believed one of the other hunters mistook him for a deer and opened fire.

He was out hunting with 32-year-old Hector Romero in Brunswick, Georgia, on Saturday 28 September who allegedly mistook him for a deer while in 'area of heavy foliage'.

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Mark McKinnon, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, told USA Today that although hunting for deer with guns was permitted in Georgia, the use of firearms wasn't legal until October.

McKinnon said an investigation would be carried out and any charges would be brought following the conclusion of that.