News on Hiker mistaken for bear

[Hornseeker]

I agree with Bearpaw... Tragic accident... his parents fault more than his! You cannot put that much trust into a young teenage or younger kid... if you do...you are ASKING for trouble. I dont care how trustworthy and smart you think your kid is... being a kid is making bad calls... this kid did that... and it was a really bad one...

His guardians should ALSO be teaching hunters ed With Him....

[sisu]

Wow...I have a buddy who's son was convicted of want and waste of a moose. The boy got 2 weeks in McLaughlin Youth Center in Anchorage and a $2000.00 dollar fine. Mind you the lad had harvested 1/2 of the meat and was going back for the rest when a big ass storm moved in. He did not get back to the moose for 4 days and by then it was rotten, partially eaten etc. He and his dad called Fish and Wildlife to turn in a report, and he still got hammered hard.

I tell you this believing that the lad who shot the lady should be doing more time with the hunter ed program;  assistant instructor in my opinion, going to local schools and talking about gun safety, assisting the fish and wildlife department folks with garbage clean up etc.

But if this is what the judicial system deems an appropriate sentence then that is it.

[bearpaw]

wow Ray...that is unbelievable....sometimes there is no justice and sometimes they go nuts....

[Huntbear]

I agree that the sentence was to light, however, I would not want him in jail for any length of time with all the gang bangers and such.  He should have to spend a lot more time in community service, and be under house arrest for a very long time, with an ankle bracelet on.

[Airnip]

There was another person shot dead mistaken for a bear down in Skamania county not too long ago. Shooter was high school teacher well liked in the community. Person killed was a bush picker. Apparently after the shooting the shooter didn't even go to check on what he shot. Turned himself in some time later. Tried to relocate the story unsuccessfully.

Did find a Superior Court decision about Dale Ammon shot 102 feet away across a meadow six to eight inch tall grass 6:30 on the sunny morning of October 16,1949 by Chester O. Green. Who was denied appeal of his conviction on manslaughter.

Here's a link to that: http://www.mrsc.org/mc/supreme/archive/038wn2d/038wn2d0240.htm

Since shooter Tyler J. Kales is a minor there is no public record of the court proceedings. Without the court records it is very difficult to determine if the punishment is severe enough. Hiker Pamela Almli was bent over to retrieve something from her pack when she was shot.

[Airnip]

Well got a couple things mistaken the shooter in Skamania county Craig A. Sjoberg shot and killed Juan Rojaz Cortez while hunting elk. Apparently he was a middle school teacher not high school.

Here is the prosecutor's document:

http://media.katu.com/documents/081120_probable_cause_affidavit.pdf

Here is one of several newspaper articles:

http://www.kptv.com/news/18026866/detail.html#-

[Mike_D]

Wow...

that was an incredibly light sentence.  Even though this was an accident, the punishment should have included at least 100 hours of community service, mandatory hunter education training and instructing, and restitution to the victims family. This would put at least some of the burden on the kids parents as well.  I've been a firm believer in adults being partly responsible for the mischief of the children. 

anywho... my .02

[hogsniper]

I personally think it is a great thing this kid didnt get hammered on! This kid will live with this the rest of his life! There are a lot of circumstances left unaccounted for in the brief article posted here!    And for the guys out there bashing the kid for hunting without supervision!!  WTF  He was with his 16 year old brother!! Its great kids can get out and enjoy the outdoors. And what better way to do it than with family!! It was an accident! There was not a malicious crime...An accident!  I understand they shouldnt have been hunting a popular hiking trail but then again would it have mattered??    Just my 

[PWN Kurt]

I don't think he should 'teach' hunter safety...as he's not qualified.  I feel the same way that people who kill others drunk driving doesn't make them qualified to be driving instructors.  I think he should never be allowed to hunt again.  Maybe he shouldn't be allowed to handle firearms until he's 21...but I think with a manslaughter charge, that might be already taken care of.

They should possibly have him do a PSA to use in hunter safety class.

Kurt

[Nash]

I agree that it was a light sentance and feel that he should have got a little more on the community service side but do any of you think that a day will go by the rest of his life that he wont think about what he did and feel terrible about it.  Im sure it would be hard as hell just to live with youself knowing you shot a killed a person, I cant even imagine.  He will have that punishment until he dies.

[Bama76]

I must say, whoever the numb-nuts is that turned him loose in the woods unsupervised should be doing a little time too.  With that being said, if and when the reality of what he's done hits him, he will carry it around like a rock in is stomach for the rest of his life.  That is a severe punishment in my book, but only a psychic could know if he really feels that kind of guilt.

[follow maggie]

I definitely agree his parents should be facing some penalties.  People should be responsible and liable for their kids.  The community service is way too light.  It should have been in the several thousands of hours, not 3 weeks worth.

[tonymoe]

I agree that it was a light sentance and feel that he should have got a little more on the community service side but do any of you think that a day will go by the rest of his life that he wont think about what he did and feel terrible about it.  Im sure it would be hard as hell just to live with youself knowing you shot a killed a person, I cant even imagine.  He will have that punishment until he dies.

+1
I understand that you guys want him to learn his lesson by teaching others what he did, but, honestly, I don't think he has the credentials to be teaching. what the should do is have a penalty panel of some sort and make a video about it. Or have the wrong do'ers attend the hunters ed classes and talk about the story they were involved in. You know, like the victims panel you watch when you get a DUI.
 

[rainshadow1]

+1
I understand that you guys want him to learn his lesson by teaching others what he did, but, honestly, I don't think he has the credentials to be teaching. what the should do is have a penalty panel of some sort and make a video about it. Or have the wrong do'ers attend the hunters ed classes and talk about the story they were involved in. You know, like the victims panel you watch when you get a DUI.
 

Great idea, have a video made of the incident, make him tell the story...

[Bob33]

Let's not forget this fact: in 25 years, only 1 non-hunter has been fatally shot by a hunter in Washington.

This kid made a mistake that was totally avoidable.  End of story on that.  He will pay for the rest of his life.  I agree the sentence was probably too light.

I'm a hunter education instructor, and believe me: we try out best to instill a sense of safety into each student.  Hundreds of these students come out with a great dreaded fear or ever pointing a muzzle at something they don't want to shoot.  We hammer them about being sure of their target, and what's beyond.

LIke any human endeavor, there is a chance of one lone student making a mistake, no matter how well they are coached and instructed.   

Also, in my opinion the youth are much more safety conscious than some of the adults who think they already "know it all".  I'd rather hunt with many of the youth in our classes than some of the adults. 

Judgment and maturity with adulthood?  Isn't that the same group of people that voted for "hope and change"?

As for this kid teaching in a hunter ed class: no thanks.