By Tom Yerace
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
State game officials are investigating the shooting of a hunter
Tuesday in Murrysville.
Patrick Mosley, 51, of Greensburg, was shot by another hunter while
on private property along Beighley Road, according to Mel Shake, a
regional supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Ligonier
office.
"He was turkey hunting and was apparently shot by a hunting
companion," Shake said. "We don't have a lot of details yet."
A spokeswoman at UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh said
information on Mosley's condition would not be released.
Tom Seefeld, Murrysville police chief, said Mosley was conscious
and communicating with emergency personnel before he was flown from
the scene.
"He had wounds on the head and torso," Seefeld said.
He said Mosley and his companion, John Patrick, of Manor, were
hunting on the Turner farm when the shooting occurred at 6:25 a.m.
"We are considering it an accident," Seefeld said, adding his
department will not file charges against Patrick. "The game commission
is following up as far as violations of the game laws."
Seefeld said Mosley was hit with pellets from Patrick's 10-gauge
shotgun from a distance of about 40 yards. He said both men were
wearing fluorescent orange hats.
"These were two friends who went turkey hunting together," Seefeld
said. "At some point they separated, and the victim had gone out and
come around. (Patrick) saw a turkey and leveled the gun and fired, and
(Mosley) was in the line of fire."
In the past, there have been numerous incidents of turkey hunters
accidentally shot, Shake said.
"Statistically, it tends to be one of the problem areas," he said.
"I had been cautiously optimistic since we hadn't had any incidents up
to the this point and turkey season has been in for a couple weeks.
"I've only seen one other preliminary report from around the state,
so this has been a very safe season."
The season began April 29 and will end May 27. There also is a
shorter turkey season in November. The current season is known as
"spring gobbler" season because only male turkeys can be hunted.
Tom Yerace can be reached at tyerace@tribweb.com or 724-837-5374.
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