May 16, 2011
A Canajoharie man was charged with two felonies Monday after he
allegedly accidentally shot two other hunters while turkey hunting
in the Town of Middlefield.
Steven D. Houghtaling, 54, 126 Front St., was charged with first-
and second-degree reckless endangerment after an investigation by
the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and state Department of
Environmental Conservation Police, according to a news release from
the Sheriff’s Office. He was arraigned by Village of Cooperstown
Judge Leslie Friedman and released, with a scheduled court date next
month. If convicted, Houghtaling faces up to seven years in prison,
according to the release.
A 47-year old male victim and his 22-year old son were shot in a
field off Springfield Hill Road Sunday morning after Houghtaling
mistakenly identified them as a turkey and discharged a 12-gauge
shotgun round at them, according to the release.
The 47-year old was struck in the leg, chest, neck and facial
areas, while his son was struck in the elbow and shoulder, according
to the release. The son was taken to M.I.B. Hospital for evaluation,
where he was treated and released. The 47-year old victim was later
transferred to Albany Medical Center for surgery. The victims’ names
were not released, so information on their conditions was not
available.
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