Father's Quest For Hunting Bill Continues

Fifteen students and a father from St. Albans watched the House Judiciary Committee pass a bill Friday that creates a new felony crime for failing to help another hunter after he's been shot.

Donald Caldwell's son, Nick, 16, bled to death last year in a hunting accident near his Kanawha County home. The other hunter, Andrew Hardin, knew he shot Caldwell, but didn't report it. Nick Caldwell was dead when his father and two brothers found him six hours later.

Donald Caldwell has worked with lawmakers and the DNR on the bill. "This puts the responsibility back on the hunter where it needs to be," Caldwell said after the Friday morning meeting.

The bill says if a hunter knows or has reason to know that he has shot another person with a weapon or an arrow he or she has to provide reasonable assistance to the injured. If the hunter doesn't help and the other hunter dies, the shooter faces up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He could also lose his hunting and fishing license for up to 10-years.

Caldwell had more than a dozen of Nick's friends with him at the capitol Friday. He says he's hopeful the bill gains final approval from the legislature. "I never thought I could do something like this with all of the kids that are here. It only takes one voice," Caldwell said choking back tears.

The bill moves on to the full House of Delegates for consideration.