Victim: Age 49; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad Yes; Game Sought
Turkey; Coat/Vest Unknown.
Shooter: Age 50; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad No; Game Sought
Turkey; Coat/Vest Unknown.
Hunting Equipment: Rifle, Marlin.
Narrative:
At
approximately 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, the victim and the shooter were at the
residence of the shooter. It is entirely possible that neither person intended
to go hunting. A wild turkey was seen in the vicinity so the shooter went inside
his house to retrieve his rifle in an attempt to shoot the bird. The victim was
apparently trying to chase the turkey towards the shooter. The shooter shot and
hit the victim at a distance of approximately 100 yards in the buttocks. The
incident occurred on private property in the town of Sterling. Neither had
turkey permits and turkey season was closed. The victim was hospitalized.
Legal Action Taken:
Under Investigation. Cause(s) of Accident: Failure to identify target.
Nonfatal - Firearm
Date: 10/21/2000
Victim: Age 37; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad Yes; Game Sought
Pheasant; Coat/Vest Blaze Orange.
Shooter: Unknown
Hunting Equipment: Unknown
Narrative:
At
approximately 8:00 a.m., a party of three were hunting quail and pheasants on
private property owned by the Meriden Water Company in the town of Cheshire. The
land is stocked by the State with pheasants and by the Meriden Gun Club with
quail and pheasants. A Conservation Officer (CO) patrolling the area heard a
hunter was shot and injured. The CO located the victim to determine the injuries
and possible violations. He noted a red welt made by a pellet on the back of the
victim's neck and also noted no visible marks on the victim's hand where he said
another pellet struck him. Victim did not want to file a complaint although he
was annoyed by the incident. Victim said it was no big deal. Investigator could
not locate shooter.
Legal Action Taken:
None. Cause(s) of Accident: Victim out of sight of shooter.
Nonfatal - Bowhunting
Date: 10/24/2000
Victim: Age 45; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad Yes; Game Sought
Deer; Coat/Vest Camo.
Shooter: Unknown
Hunting Equipment: Unknown
Narrative:
At
approximately 6 a.m. in the town of Litchfield, the State Police received a 911
call from a person who had heard the victim shouting for help. He was found
under his treestand which was approximately l5 feet above him. His hunting
equipment, which included a bow, fanny pack and tree steps, were still hanging
near his stand. The victim was apparently in the process of putting on his
safety harness when the stand twisted and fell. He was transported to the
hospital by Life Star helicopter and is currently paralyzed from the waist down.
Legal Action Taken:
None. Cause(s) of Accident: Possible faulty equipment, failure to use
safety belt.
Nonfatal - Firearm
Date: 11/25/2000
Victim: Age 15; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad Yes; Game Sought
Pheasant; Coat/Vest Blaze Orange.
Shooter: Unknown.
Hunting Equipment: Unknown
Narrative:
Two parties
of hunters were hunting pheasants at the Northwestern Connecticut Sportsman
Association on Route 44 in Colebrook, Connecticut at approximately 8:30 a.m.
There were two hunters in one party and three in the other party when a pheasant
flushed. They could not see each other because of a large berm that was located
between the two parties. A shot was fired and the victim was hit by a shotgun
pellet which lodged in a tonsil. The investigator was unable to determine who
the shooter was.
Legal Action Taken:
None. Cause(s) of Accident: Victim out of sight of shooter.
Nonfatal - Bowhunting
Date:12/20/2000
Victim: Age 35; Sex Male; CE/FS Grad Yes; Game Sought
Deer; Coat/Vest Camo.
Shooter: Unknown
Hunting Equipment: Unknown
Narrative:
The victim
was about to descend from his tree stand and removed his safety harness at
approximately 5:00 p.m. He stated he felt the stand twist and the next moment he
was on the ground. He fractured his leg hitting the ground. The victim was
hunting alone but carried a cell phone. He called some friends who arrived
approximately one hour later. The victim may have been suffering from
hypothermia when found. He was pulled out of the woods and transferred to a
medical facility where he underwent surgery to his leg. He is currently walking
with a cane because of his injury.
Legal Action Taken:
None. Cause(s) of Accident: Possible faulty equipment, failure to use
safety belt. - DEP.
