Press-Republican

Local News

October 17, 2008

Teen injured in hunting accident

ALTONA — Dylon Belair was hunting with his father Thursday when his muzzle loader accidentally discharged and sent a bullet ripping through his left foot.

Chazy-based State Police said the accidental shooting happened in the woods off Military Turnpike around 5:30 p.m. and left the 14-year-old with a gaping wound to his foot.

The Lyon Mountain teen was taken to CVPH Medical Center and later transferred to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, where his condition was not available Friday morning.

The teen was one of many area hunters who have headed into the woods since the muzzle-loading season opened last weekend.

And with the regular deer season opening Saturday, officials are reminding hunters to stay safe in the woods.

“Certainly one of the things is to treat guns as if they’re loaded at all times,” Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Dave Winchell said Friday.

Winchell said hunters should always make sure their guns are pointed in a safe direction and that nothing touches the trigger until it comes time to shoot.

“You always want to keep it (guns) pointed at the ground and away from other people and yourself,” Winchell advised.

And when aiming at a target, he said, “be sure of what you’re shooting at and what’s behind it.”

He said hunters, especially those looking for big game, should always wear hunter orange when venturing into the woods.

Those who do, Winchell said, “are seven times safer than those who don’t.”

He said Thursday’s hunting accident was the first in the tri-county area so far this season.



E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
New Today
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix