In Hunting Trip, who admits to accidentally shooting Ron?

Tom Haverford admits to accidentally shooting Ron in “Hunting Trip.” The incident occurs during Ron Swanson’s secret annual hunting trip, which Leslie discovers and opens to the wider Parks Department group.

Leslie initially takes the blame because Tom was hunting without a license. The accident happens after Ron and Leslie split up to compete over who can shoot more birds. Ron is struck in the head, but the injury is not serious. The group speculates about the shooter, while Leslie gives a series of increasingly absurd explanations to a park ranger.

Ann Perkins eventually reveals that she saw Tom fire the shot. Tom confesses that Leslie covered for him because an unlicensed hunting violation could have meant a $25,000 fine and possible imprisonment. The episode is also important for developing the Andy-April relationship: their comic chemistry during the office scenes helped inspire the show’s later romantic storyline. “Hunting Trip” first aired on November 19, 2009, as season 2’s tenth episode.