WALES —A late afternoon hunting incident resulted in the death of a Wales man Tuesday in woods just off East Road.
Capt. Dan Scott of the Maine Warden Service confirmed late Tuesday night that a 49-year-old Wales man was shot by a 41-year-old Wales man in an area of woods that runs between East Road, also known as Old Route 126, and Route 126. The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. while both men were hunting deer in the same area. They were not hunting together, Scott said.
Scott said initial evidence indicated that the shooting was accidental and no charges had been filed.
Investigators were not clear whether the two men knew each other. Nor was it clear what events led to the shooting. Both men were wearing the required blaze orange.
The fatality is the first of the 2012 firearms season, which ends Saturday. The Morning Sentinel reported that emergency dispatch reports indicated the hunter had been shot in the jugular vein.
Scott said the man — whose name is not being released pending notification of family — died at the scene. An autopsy will be performed Wednesday.
Game wardens were called to investigate the shooting at 4:19 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from the Maine Warden Service. Scott said game wardens were being assisted by multiple agencies — including Maine State Police, the Maine Attorney General’s Office and the State Medical Examiner. Monmouth Rescue also responded to the scene and Wales Fire Department assisted as well.
Scott said more than three dozen law enforcement personnel were on scene Tuesday night and the investigation will continue first thing Wednesday morning in the daylight.
As of late Tuesday night, East Road remained closed to traffic at both ends of Route 126.
A Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit vehicle was on the scene to assist with the investigation. Cpl. John MacDonald of the warden service said that does not mean a crime had occurred. State police assist game wardens in shootings such as this one, MacDonald said.
Scott said the land where the men hunting was privately owned, but it was not clear whether they had permission to hunt there. According to Scott, hunters in Maine are not required to seek permission from landowners unless property is otherwise marked. However, he said that hunters are encouraged to seek permission prior to hunting.
Both Scott and MacDonald strongly urged hunters to use caution while hunting.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story did not include that the Monmouth Rescue (EMS) responded to the accident.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
