The victim was reportedly in the area scouting for a later hunt.
(CENTRAL POINT, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police will be referring an investigation to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office for review of possible charges after a hunting-related incident last Saturday that resulted in the non-life threatening injury to a Central Point man.
On May 3, at approximately 6:15 AM, a 14-year old Medford male was hunting with another juvenile male and their fathers. As they were walking up a forested road about five miles west of Central Point, they heard turkeys calling and gobbling when the 14-year old boy saw a dark shape in the brush he thought was a turkey. The boy subsequently shot, striking a 65-year old man twice with a Remington 870 shotgun from a distance of 50 – 65 yards.
After being shot, the victim came out of the brush onto the road and met the hunting group. They called for an ambulance and the victim was transported to Rogue Valley Medical Center for treatment of about 130 pellet wounds.
The victim was reportedly in the area scouting for a later hunt. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt, tan hat, and blue jeans.
No citations were issued and the case is being referred to the District Attorney's office for review. The names of those involved are withheld at their request and because there were no charges at this time.
Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife remind hunters to:
1. Follow safe firearm handling practices and insist your hunting partners do the same.
2. Know what is beyond your target.
3. Don't interfere with another persons hunt.
4. If mentoring a youth hunter, be sure to pass on safe, responsible and ethical knowledge and skills.
5. Wear clothing that could not be mistaken for game animals. In particular, wear blaze orange when hunting.
Source: Oregon State Police
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