PLUMCREEK TWP, Armstrong County — The first day of rifle deer season claimed its first fatalities as hunters took to the woods.

Dustin William Manning, 30, of Pleasant Gap, Centre County, died early Monday morning when he accidentally fell 15 feet from a tree stand in Plumcreek Township in southeastern Armstrong County, authorities said.

A second man died of natural causes while hunting in Cherrytree Township, Venango County.

Moments before Manning's death, investigators said, he apparently had shot and killed a deer from the tree stand near Keystone Lake, about 2 miles northeast of Elderton.

Pennsylvania Game Commission officers reported a dead deer was found 50 feet from the tree stand.

"As Manning stepped from his tree stand onto a makeshift ladder made up of two-by-four lumber nailed to the tree," said Armstrong County Coroner Robert Bowers, "the upper most step tore away from the tree causing (him) to fall to the ground."

Another hunter about 9:30 a.m. happened upon the body.

The coroner at 11:30 a.m. pronounced Manning dead of severe head injuries.

In Cherrytree Township, a hunter was reported missing about 4 p.m., and state police and the Game Commission began a search. The body of the 79-year-old man from Oakdale, Allegheny County, was found in a wooded area about one-half mile from Dempsytown-Greshem Road about 6 p.m.

Deputy coroner Chris Hile pronounced the man dead at 7:50 p.m. of natural causes. Hile said the man had an apparent heart seizure.

His name had not been released by this morning, pending notification of his family.