CHINOOK73
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Loc: Thurston County, Wa.
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MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -- A teenage boy who said he thought he was shooting at a bear when he fired a round that killed a hiker was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree manslaughter.
Skagit County Superior Court Judge Susan Cook ruled that the teen's actions were a "gross deviation" from what a reasonable 14-year-old hunter would do.
She determined that the boy and his older brother, who was with him at the time, could not have clearly seen the target when the younger boy shot and killed 54-year-old Pamela Almli on Sauk Mountain last August.
The teen was charged with first-degree manslaughter, but Cook acquitted the boy of the more serious charge, finding he didn't act recklessly. But she says it wasn't a hunting accident.
Prosecutors said Almli was shot in the head as she bent over to put a jacket into a backpac when the boy fired a .270-caliber rifle from about 120 yards away.
The boy's defense attorney argued that the teens thought they saw a bear through the fog rolling in and out.
"At the moment he took the shot, he knew it was a bear," said defense attorney Roy Howson. "And his older brother said, 'Indeed, it was a bear.'"
Prosecutors said the teen failed to follow guidelines in the state's hunting safety manual, including being sure of a target and what lies beyond it.
The teen is scheduled to be sentenced July 10
I am glad that they did not rule it a hunting accident. We don't need any knee-jerk decisions from the non-hunting lawmakers. I do believe that you must be responsible for what you shoot.
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B.R.D. Victim
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Trouthead
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"I am glad that they did not rule it a hunting accident. We don't need any knee-jerk decisions from the non-hunting lawmakers. I do believe that you must be responsible for what you shoot." 
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Trouthead
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fishhog
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Not a good deal all the way around
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Stay thirsty my friends
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Dogfish
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Loc: McCleary, WA
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Horrible situation all the way around.
I would like more of the details to come out.
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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GrimmReaper
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Quote:
Dogfish said:
Horrible situation all the way around.
I would like more of the details to come out.
Ditto on the terrible situation.
I think WDFW should use the details of the incident to educate youth hunters. Something positive should come from such a devastating tragedy. Please double confirm your target & backstop before shooting anything better to pass on a shot then shoot a person.
The general public needs more education on hunting seasons and how to recreat in the smae woods with hunters.
In Oregon their is no requirement wear hunters Orange in the field. Not cool to see people out walking their dog with no hi vis clothing on in a field of Phesant Hunters. Especially wasn't cool to see other hunters walk by wearing camo.
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DAWG IT (verb) - To play an entire season of a sport and remain completely defeated.
Taking fish to the afterlife...
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GrimmReaper
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Teen found guilty in Sauk Mountain shooting trial
A teen hunter who killed a Sauk Mountain hiker he mistook for a bear was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree manslaughter with a firearm.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. —
A teen hunter who killed a Sauk Mountain hiker he mistook for a bear was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree manslaughter with a firearm.
Skagit County Superior Court Judge Susan Cook acquitted Tyler J. Kales, of Concrete, of the more serious charge of first-degree manslaughter, finding he didn't act recklessly.
The hiker, Pamela Almli, 54, of Oso, was killed Aug. 2 on the popular hiking trail north of Seattle. Kales, then 14, was hunting with his older brother, then 16, who also thought he saw a bear.
Prosecutors said Almli was shot in the head as she bent over to put a jacket into a backpack when the boy fired a .270-caliber rifle.
Kales "was painfully honest with the deputy at the scene" Cook said, adding that he wrote in a statement the day of the shooting that, "The shot I took was about 150 yards away and I could only see the outline of bear in the fog."
But Cook said the boy disregarded that he was on a popular hiking trail.
"What he said takes this outside the realm of a hunting accident," the judge said.
The boy, now 15, faces up to 3 months in a juvenile detention facility when he is sentenced July 10.
Defense attorney Roy Howson had argued the shooting was a tragic accident. Although a reasonable adult should have taken the busy hiking trail into account, he argued the same couldn't be expected of a 14-year-old.
Skagit County Prosecutor Rich Weyrich had asked for a first-degree manslaughter conviction. Prosecutors argued the teen didn't follow the state's hunting safety manual.
The teen's lawyer had requested a bench trial, so the judge, who heard the case as a juvenile matter, ruled without a jury.
Almli's death prompted legislation this year, including a measure requiring adult supervision for hunters under age 14 on public land. That bill passed the House but didn't make it out of the Senate in the final days of the session.
Quote:
GrimmReaper said:
Kales, then 14, was hunting with his older brother, then 16, who also thought he saw a bear.
Is it legal for a 14yr old to be supervised by a 16yr old. The parents should be held legally acoutable for the shooting as well.
Quote:
GrimmReaper said:
Defense attorney Roy Howson had argued the shooting was a tragic accident. Although a reasonable adult should have taken the busy hiking trail into account, he argued the same couldn't be expected of a 14-year-old.
Then that 14yr old should NOT be hunting. Again, the legal responsibility should fall on the parents shoulders.
This should have NEVER happened. The blame should be laid on the kids parents.
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DAWG IT (verb) - To play an entire season of a sport and remain completely defeated.
Taking fish to the afterlife...
"For you catch your next fish with a piece of the last"-Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1894
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CHINOOK73
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dual red striper
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Loc: Thurston County, Wa.
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Great point on using this situation during hunters safety. A truly horrible situation, hopefully at least somthing positive can come out of it.
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B.R.D. Victim
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Tony1831
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Makes me wonder what kind of parents allow a 16 yo and a 14 yo to hunt BEAR?
Multiple incidents of stupidity here.
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Dogfish
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I hunted a lot at the age of 14-16. Depends on the kid. Never had an issue.
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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Makai
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smolt
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I do believe that you must be responsible for what you shoot.
Chinook, I do believe your NOT the poster boy for this statement.
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Tony1831
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Quote:
Dogfish said:
I hunted a lot at the age of 14-16. Depends on the kid. Never had an issue.
I also hunted at that age for elk, deer, pheasants, quail, turkeys, but never bear. I can't see responsible parents turning kids loose to hunt bear at that age.
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<---- "Jihad this!"
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PGR Member, ANC R/C
Bocephus for President 2012
Just say NO to socialism
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Lead_Bouncer
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Anyone know why it didnt make it thru the Senate. I wonder if Jacobsen has not be so preocupied with a varmit on Hurrican ridge for special state designation and neutering the fish and wildlife commission, would this legislation have made it through the senate?
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Gooose
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He wouldn't have wasted his time as the Senate bill wouldn't have made it thru the House AGNR committee. 
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