CLARE COUNTY, Mich. -- A 62-year-old Houghton Lake man accidentally shot himself in the ankle while using a rope to lift his firearm into a tree stand.

Clare County deputies said the mishap occurred at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday in the woods near the intersection of Cook Avenue and Mosteteler Road in Redding Township.

According to a news release, Charles Reed tied a rope to the trigger guard of his gun in an attempt to pull it into a tree stand.

The loaded firearm discharged as it was being pulled up and struck Reed.

Deputies said Reed was able to call 911 on a cell phone.

He was transported to Mid Michigan Medical Center in Clare and later transferred to Hurley Hospital in Flint for further treatment.