Hunter Seth Egelhoff is killed after being accidentally shot in the face by a member of his group at Bay Branch Wildlife Area in Iowa

A 26-year-old hunter has died after being accidentally shot in the face by a member of his hunting party in the Bay Branch Wildlife Area of Iowa. 

Seth Egelhoff, originally from Chesterfield, Illinois, was shot by a fellow hunter while out looking for waterfowl in the Bay Branch Wildlife Area, approximately 40 miles west of Des Moines, over the weekend. 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said that the tragedy occurred on Saturday afternoon, with 911 being called around 1pm to report Egelhoff's injury.

Emergency teams rushed to the scene, located north of Panora, and attempted to transport the hunter to a spot where he could be picked up by a helicopter.

Unfortunately, the 26-year-old died on his way to the pick-up location, the department said.

As of Tuesday, the shooting death is under investigation, but Conservation Officer Jeremy King said it appeared to be accidental.

A friend of Egelhoff established a GoFundMe page after his tragic death. It has raised more than $39,000 as of Tuesday, far exceeding the initial goal of $15,000. 

Egelhoff was described as 'a beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, and friend to man' in the page. 

'Seth Egelhoff was one of a kind and had a smile that could light up any room. Anyone that knew him, knows he would do anything for just about anyone and ask for nothing in return,' his friend wrote. 

'He would want nothing more than to know his parents are taken care of as he loved them more than life itself.' 

Friends and families sent their condolences and mourned the passing of Egelhoff on social media.

'It'll never make sense, and I'll never be able to understand. You loved harder in your 26 years than most do in 75,' a family member wrote on Facebook. 

'I love you so much Seth Michael. Keep that smile shining big and bright down on all of us, we sure do need it.' 

A friend wrote: 'It still doesn't feel real. Seth Egelhoff. I will never forget all those Friday mornings driving me to church for breakfast, the countless hours we put in for wrestling and football.' 

'And most of all I will never forget that smile that would brighten up any room. I can't wait to see that smile again someday. Rest easy brother.' 

The incident occurred a month after a 53-year-old man was killed in a fatal shooting incident in Iowa on October 8th. 

Mark Arends was shot by a rifle when he was hunting coyotes with friends on private land near the town of Alden, 60 miles northeast of Des Moines. 

The state agency said the hunters were several hundred yards apart when Arends was shot. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

There have been seven hunting incidents including two fatal ones took place in Iowa as of November. 

In a statement to CNN, the state's Department of Natural Resources said: 'We always stress the importance of a hunting plan that spells out the role each person plays in the hunt.'

The agency urges hunters 'to observe the area in front of and behind the game, so if they miss, the shot will fall harmlessly to the ground.'