November 14, 2011
From StatesmanJournal.com
Hunter killed in Polk County
The body of a man killed in a hunting accident Saturday in Polk
County has been recovered and identified, according to the Polk
County Sheriff's Office.
Felipe Amando Fernandez Galicia, 32, of Newport was killed while
hunting elk with a group of co-workers west of Valsetz.
Travis Watson, 24, who was part of the group, told investigators
that he shot Fernandez Galicia, thinking he saw a bull elk the group
had been pursuing, according to the sheriff's office. Fernandez
Galicia was wearing light-colored clothes.
"This is a tragic incident in which a bright-colored vest and hat
might have avoided the loss of life," Sheriff Bob Wolfe said in a
statement. "Every hunter is responsible to properly identify their
target prior to pulling the trigger to avoid such a tragic outcome."
The group attempted to resuscitate Fernandez Galicia, but he died
at the scene.
The shooting was reported at 2 p.m. Saturday. The body was
recovered at about noon Sunday, in "very difficult and rugged coast
range mountains,"
officials said.
There were no witnesses to the shooting, Wolfe said. Watson and
the rest of the group have been cooperative with the investigation.
Wolfe called the incident a "tragic hunting accident."
No charges have been filed so far, Wolfe said, but the incident
has been referred to the Polk County District Attorney's Office,
which will decide whether to pursue charges.
This is the second fatal hunting accident in the Mid-Valley in
three weeks.
