<a href="mailto:avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com">By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG</a>
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
