Hunting accident victim remains hospitalized

Star Beacon

December 29, 2007 01:25 am

— YOUNGSTOWN — The teen who shot himself while hunting Thursday, is out of intensive care and in stable condition at St. Elizabeth Health Center, according to a hospital official.
The 15-year-old boy from Mercer, Pa., was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown after he shot himself in the arm with his muzzleloader while deer hunting, according to Reno “Jay” Reda, wildlife officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“A muzzleloader to hunt deer is safe, the boy was not doing anything nefarious by using a muzzleloader,” Reda said.
The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. in the Hall Road/ Stanhope-Kelloggsville Road area.
“The ODNR Division of Wildlife investigates all hunting-related injuries,” Reda said. “The investigation is ongoing, but at this time we do not fore-see any charges being filed.”
According to Reda, all hunters under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult, are subject to all licensing requirements, and all first-time hunters in Ohio must complete a hunting education course.