Staff Writer
T11 R15 — The Maine Warden Service is continuing to investigate an incident Oct. 10 that sent a hunter to the hospital for treatment after he was shot while hunting with a friend in a remote area west of Ashland. “A Mapleton man in his 20s was hit by buckshot while hunting with another man from Mapleton who was also in his 20s. The incident took place on Saturday, Oct. 10, as the men were hunting along the Reality Rd. in a remote section of T11 R15,” said Sgt. Brian Gray, MWS.
According to Gray, the man was shot in his lower leg and foot. The men immediately drove to The Aroostook Medical Center, where the injured man was treated for his non-life-threatening injuries.
The pair were reportedly partridge hunting when the man was injured.
The case remains under investigation.
“We are not releasing the names of the individuals at this time, as the case is still under investigation. The incident occurred west of Clayton Lake. It’s a remote section of the woods, which makes investigating more of a challenge,” said Game Warden Kevin Pelkey, who is assisting Gray in piecing together what occurred, adding, “the names may be released, once we have more information.”
Pelkey and Gray would not say if this is considered an accidental shooting or if charges are pending.
At least two other cases of hunters being shot have been reported since Oct. 1. On Oct. 1, a pheasant hunter was accidentally hit by buckshot in the chest area while hunting with a friend on Chebeague Island. On Oct. 8, a Great Falls, Va., man was hit in the cheek by buckshot while hunting with a friend in Long Pond Township. Neither hunter was seriously injured.
