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Offline Chenango

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Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« on: May 16, 2011, 08:51:30 PM »
Father and Son Shot While Turkey Hunting
Originally printed at http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Man-Arrested-Father-and-Son-Shot-While-Turkey-Hunting--121969674.html

By Alice Maggiore
May 17, 2011
Town of Middlefield, NY (WBNG Action News) An Otsego County man is arrested, accused of shooting a father and son while turkey hunting Sunday.

Otsego County Sheriff's deputies arrested Steven Houghtaling, 54, of Canajoharie.
Houghtaling faces reckless endangerment and assault charges for allegedly shooting two men just before 7 a.m. Sunday.

A 47-year old man and his 22-year-old son were turkey hunting in a field off of Springfield Hill Road in the Town of Middlefield. Their names have not been released.

Deputies say Houghtaling, who was also turkey hunting in the area, mistook the duo for turkeys. He fired one 12-gauge shot gun round at them.

The older man was shot in the leg, chest, neck and facial area. He was taken to M.I.B Hospital in Cooperstown, and transferred to Albany Medical Center for surgery.

Meanwhile, his son was shot in the elbow and shoulder. He was treated at M.I.B Hospital.

Houghtaling was arraigned in Village of Cooperstown Court, and due back next month.

If convicted, he faces up to 7 years in prison.








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Offline WNY_Whitetailer

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2011, 07:42:08 AM »
Really now...This guy couldn't tell these two people weren't turkeys and shot them?  Who pulls the trigger without knowing what they are shooting at?
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2011, 08:18:51 AM »
I hadn't heard about this. Not good. I think last year we had a total of 3 shootings during turkey season... and luckily no one was killed.

Really wish they would require Blaze Orange tree "bands"here like they do in PA... hopefully it would prevent some of these knuckle heads that just shoot at noise to maybe realize in advance that it's a hunter.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline Silvertp

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2011, 09:54:55 AM »
Im not sure the "orange" would help.  I had a friend shot...bullet went thru his blaze orange jacket, the fella that shot him thought he was a deer.  He survived cause the guy that shot him performed first aid after realizing his mistake.

Some folks just shouldn't be around guns!

Silvertp
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2011, 10:19:44 AM »
Silvertip - YEP !
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2011, 10:50:58 AM »
Thinking more Turkey Season specific as you are in complete camo sitting in brush or at the base of a tree calling away, maybe with a decoy in front of or near you... some folks are dumb and get very jumpy and just shoot without watching or listening. At least having the Orange Vest or in the Case of PA a band that is like 4"+ wide wrapped around the tree or in the bush above you at least gets their attention and lets them think... hmm maybe I shouldn't shoot that.

They mentioned it to us in Hunters Ed (yes I only started hunting a couple years ago) and there really hasn't been anything put out by DEC about this. I'll see if I can talk to someone at DEC about it and see what their thoughts are.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline DANNY-L

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2011, 01:29:16 AM »
It's obvious he wasn't looking for a bearded tom,what an idiot.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2011, 03:10:49 AM »
Quote from: Schmitti on June 08, 2011, 10:50:58 AM
Thinking more Turkey Season specific as you are in complete camo sitting in brush or at the base of a tree calling away, maybe with a decoy in front of or near you... some folks are dumb and get very jumpy and just shoot without watching or listening. At least having the Orange Vest or in the Case of PA a band that is like 4"+ wide wrapped around the tree or in the bush above you at least gets their attention and lets them think... hmm maybe I shouldn't shoot that.

They mentioned it to us in Hunters Ed (yes I only started hunting a couple years ago) and there really hasn't been anything put out by DEC about this. I'll see if I can talk to someone at DEC about it and see what their thoughts are.

E
When moving orange is a good thing , even more if you tote a bird . I must ask if you are in full camo whats the dumb hunter shooting at ? If you are awake why didn't you see dumb hunter comming ? Next they will want duck hunters to dress in full coveage orange .
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2011, 03:12:39 AM »
I have seen several hunters shot in a dove field , no not have shot fall on them but shot at 40 or so yards by someone who had been talking to them . Some idoits should not be allowed to hunt.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2011, 03:15:24 AM »
A rabbit hunter shot a guy that worked for me while he was standing on the steps going into a construction trl. on a construction site . The # 6 shot was embeded in his leather boots and feet were bruised . Idoit hunter. ABTW its illegal in Va. to hunt within 750 yards of a subdivision which we were working in.
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2011, 04:42:39 AM »
Quote from: SHOOTALL on June 10, 2011, 03:10:49 AM

When moving orange is a good thing , even more if you tote a bird . I must ask if you are in full camo whats the dumb hunter shooting at ? If you are awake why didn't you see dumb hunter comming ? Next they will want duck hunters to dress in full coveage orange .
[/quote]

I don't even think it would be fair for me to assume what was going through the shot hunters' minds prior to the incident. I don't know the setup... were they at the base of a tree, on the edge of a field in brush, were they shot from behind or other angle that they couldn't see the shooter, were they doing as they were supposed to, sitting still until they could actually identify if any noises they heard were those of another hunter before calling out to identify their presence. A lot of times from what I have heard, those shot had been calling and the shooter has shot at the noise, not at a properly visually identified target.

I won't begin to place blame on those shot, if that's where you were trying to get me to go.

As to orange while hunting ducks.. let's hope it doesn't go that far.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2011, 04:54:01 AM »
I don't blame the one getting shot either just stating how much has to go wrong . I always have a tree larger than I am wide to my back . An if you hunt much you can tell a man walking over any other critter in most cases.
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2011, 04:57:48 AM »
I agree with you on both counts.... I just don't know with the limited information available what the heck went wrong that allowed this to happen.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2011, 05:13:58 AM »
Buck fever with a dose of this might be my only shot lets shoot quick.
Or lack of time in the woods with a good ( read that safe)hunter teaching them skills and restraint.
Hunting is the sport killing is the end but its all some care to consider. As proof what else does the road hunter or spot lighter have ?
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2011, 05:22:48 AM »
Indeed. I have waited on turkey and deer hunting until I can get out with my brother-in-law as he has 16+ years of experience over me with regards to hunting. I have as much gun handling experience and then some, but I want to make sure that when learning a new hunting skill set that I get it from him.. rather than learn through experimenting on my own.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #15 on: June 10, 2011, 05:27:06 AM »
Quote from: Schmitti on June 10, 2011, 05:22:48 AM
Indeed. I have waited on turkey and deer hunting until I can get out with my brother-in-law as he has 16+ years of experience over me with regards to hunting. I have as much gun handling experience and then some, but I want to make sure that when learning a new hunting skill set that I get it from him.. rather than learn through experimenting on my own.

E
Learn to enjoy your time in the field/woods nothing will teach you to hunt better than watching critters. Even a house cat is a good hunter. Your bil will teach you the safety and laws as well.
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #16 on: June 10, 2011, 05:29:22 AM »
Shootall.... I've been camping and playing in the woods since before I could walk.... so all 34 years so far of my short time on this earth :) Hunting has been just an extension of that experience. My Grandfather has been the greatest teacher for me.. thankfully he still is even at 82.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2011, 05:36:21 AM »
My grand father took me bird hunting when I was 8-9 years old he toted a Parker hammer gun , so I know what you mean. I had a 410 but wasn't allowed to load until the dog was on point . I haven't missed a year hunting since , 48 years . Be careful you will get hooked
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Offline Schmitti

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Re: Father and Son shot while Turkey Hunting
« Reply #18 on: June 10, 2011, 05:45:21 AM »
I have to correct my last... my grandfather is not a hunter... just an outdoorsman at heart. Professionally he was a truck driver as he couldn't sit still long enough to complete college, but all along he has been camping and hiking. Even now he goes camping in his Tin Tent (Ford Van converted to be his tent). My father was not a hunter, but my parents were campers and my father was a Scout Master when I was in the Boy Scouts. So the foundation was there for me to get into hunting... the opportunity came when my BIL came along and was willing to allow me to follow him into a duck blind two years ago. Now I'm hooked.

E
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Engineer in a Hawaiian Shirt

I believe I've seen that discussed before... don't ask me where.. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old at home.. I tend to forget the important stuff
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