December 17, 2011
By Margaret F. Bonafide, APP.com
JACKSON — A bizarre hunting mishap resulted in a father and son
being shot by one hunter Saturday morning, then again later by
others while they were reporting the first incident to an official —
who also was hit in the second go-round, said a spokesman for the
state Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The pair, a 60-year-old man and his 34-year-old son, both of
Jackson, were pheasant hunting in shoulder-high grass in the
Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson when they were
struck from a distance of about 20 yards, said Larry Ragonese,
spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The father and son had pellet wounds to their faces and one hand,
and briefly confronted the shooter, described as a lone “white male
in hunter attire.” The pair went to call authorities from their
vehicle and the shooter fled the scene, Ragonese said.
Conservation Officer Sean McManus responded. While the officer
was interviewing the two victims, the trio of men was struck by
pellets fired from about 150 yards away. Those shots were from a
long enough distance they did not penetrate the skin, Ragonese said.
McManus apprehended and questioned five hunters who shot at the
trio, he said.
The victims drove themselves to Community Memorial Hospital in
Toms River for treatment, he said.
“We have very few of these accidents and it is very unusual and
bizarre,”
Ragonese said.
The man who fired the first shots that hit the father and son had
a duty to stay with them until they received help, Ragonese said.
All hunters must be trained and have permits to hunt, Ragonese said.
The investigation is continuing and anyone with information about
the first shooter should call 877-927-6337.
