A Little Orange Couldn't Hurt

[klsm54]

How sad.... Makes one wonder how important a turkey can be to some hunters.....

Sheriff: Son Killed By Father In Hunting Accident

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. (WCCO) ¯ The Sibley County Sheriff says that a man who accidentally shot and killed his 9-year-old son while they were hunting apparently mistook the boy for a turkey.

Sheriff Bruce Ponath said that Anthony Klaseus of Belle Plaine and his son Hunter were hunting turkey about three miles west of Belle Plaine in Faxon Township around 6:30 p.m. Saturday when Klaseus shot his son in the chest with a 12 gauge shotgun.

Hunter was tagging along while his father hunted for turkeys in the woods off Sibley County Road 6. They were in an open field beyond this ridge when they spotted a group of turkeys on the other side of the field.

"He told his son to stay here. I'm going to try to sneak up on them," said Ponath.

The father entered the woods, while his son moved along the grassy edge of the field. Both were wearing camouflage.

"His son did not stay at that spot and he came up on his dad and his dad mistook him for a turkey," said Ponath.

Hunter was about 20 to 30 yards away from his father when he accidentally shot the boy in the chest with the 12 gauge shotgun.

"It's a tragedy, an absolute tragedy," said Ponath.

Anthony Klaseus called 911 immediately and stayed on the line helping emergency crews find them. At the same time the father carried his son for about a quarter mile to reach responders. Hunter was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff spoke with the father that night.

"He was absolutely panicked," said Ponath. "To say he is distraught is an understatement. That family is going through very hard times right now with the loss of their son."

Ponath said the shooting was an accident but that his department is continuing to investigate the circumstances.

Hunting accidents are rare in Sibley County. The last time there was a death related to hunting was about 17 years ago. Last year in Minnesota, there were two deaths from hunting accidents.

[jimh]

anyones worst nightmare. when i took my son along with me in the past, and even though we where on private ground i had him wearing an orange cap. only when we set up to work a bird did i have him remove it. i also kept him with me the whole time. i can't begin to imagine the grief and horror that father is now going through. it will rip that family apart to say the least. hopefuly this story will be a grim reminded and wake up call to other hunters.

[Purebred Redneck]

I'm all for letting kids tag along squirrel hunting at age 9. But turkey? No

I still say you should be 12 before parents even think of letting a kid tag along let alone hunt these birds

[dovehunter]

I always wear my blaze orange cap when entering or leaving the woods or when moving from setup to setup. To me it just makes sense.

[jmarriott]

Sounds like the old addage of knowing what you are shooting at is in order here.

It is a sad thing for sure.

[bounce]

Theise storys do baffel me, Turkey's do not wear camo? It must be a kin to deer fever, were a normal man just seems to loose good judgement & sence. Don't think I have ever had it to any serious degree but yes I have seen it a coulple of times. And it is disturbing to see them lose it that much. I know of no cure as you can never see it comeing when they are so knolageable in all aspects moments before?? But once you see it, it kinda has away of being the last time you realy want to hunt with them.