By MICHAEL ARTHUR
Associate editor
Mt. ORAB - A man who was shot in the jaw Saturday while hunting
is in stable condition and awaiting surgery to have the slug
removed, according to Ohio Department of National Resources Division
of Wildlife officials.
Doctors are reportedly waiting for swelling to subside before
surgery as to prevent any further damage when removing the slug.
On the afternoon of Dec. 1, Jeb Basham, 19, was hunting in a
group along a field and tree line near Greenbush Road, north of Mt.
Orab. When two of the hunters spotted a turkey (which are not in
season) and fired, one slug struck Basham in the jaw.
"He (the shooter) must have been lined up just right (to hit
Basham)," said Southern District 5 Wildlife Officer Supervisor Dave
Warner.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and its Division of
Wildlife have headed up the investigation into the shooting.
Warner, other ODNR Division of Wildlife officers, local law
enforcement and emergency responders traveled to the scene after a
member of the hunting party contacted 911. Basham was a few hundred
yards into a field on private property, Warner said, but was fairly
accessible to emergency crews.
Basham was transported by AirCare to University Hospital.
Warner said only two members of the hunting party fired on the
turkey, and they will likely face charges of hunting out of season.
Additional charges may be pursued against the hunter who shot
Basham, he said, after the case is reviewed with prosecutors.
Ohio Department of National Resources recommends all hunters
adhere to basic safety practices when hunting, especially in groups.
For safety tips and more information on deer-gun and other hunting
seasons, visit
www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife.
Anyone with information on unlawful hunting activities or the
hunting of out-of-season game is encouraged to call Ohio's poaching
hotline, 1-800-POACHER (762-2437.)
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