At least 3 Michigan hunters die within first week of firearms deer season

LINCOLN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — It’s a heartbreaking start to what is usually an exciting time of year for the Adkins family.

“We don’t want any family to go through this,” Kayla Adkins said.

On the opening day of Michigan’s firearms deer season, Friday, Nov. 15, Gregg Adkins went hunting for the last time.

“They found him on the ground. He was supposed to come back at 5:10. He never came back to meet his hunting buddies,” Kayla said.

57-year-old Gregg Adkins of Lincoln Park was hunting in Tuscola County and was found at the bottom of his stand of trees.

Tragically, he is one of at least three deer hunters in Michigan who have died within the first week of the firearms deer season.

The Adkins family said they still don’t know exactly what Gregg died of, doctors have told them it may have been a blood clot or a partial heart attack.

“He was physically active, he always went to the doctor,” Kayla said, emphasizing how physically fit her father was.

Authorities say the other two men, ages 65 and 83, tried to pull heavy animals away and died of heart attacks.

7 News Detroit contacted Dr. Chadi Alraies, a cardiologist at DMC Heart Hospital, for his advice to hunters.

He said anyone who goes hunting should condition themselves by starting an exercise program or at least walking for an hour, four to five days a week.

He also said it’s imperative that you see a doctor and be aware of any medical conditions that put you at risk.

“Especially if the hunters are smokers, this puts them at higher risk of heart disease,” said Dr. Alrai’s. “Two, if they are obese, this is another risk factor, and third, which is the most common or the most dangerous, is genetic predisposition, which means that the heart disease runs in the family.”

A final tip from Dr. Alrai’s?

Always make sure someone knows where you are hunting and that there is a way they can get in touch with you.

While the Adkins family waits for Gregg’s autopsy results, they say they are thankful he always had a hunting companion.

Someone to look after the man who was always looking out for others.

“He loved his family more than anything, and his grandchildren more than anything,” said Gregg’s wife, Candace Adkins.