From DelMarvaNow.com
January 25, 2018
A hunter suffered minor injuries when he was shot by a companion who mistook him for a turkey, Maryland Natural Resources Police said.
Police said James Henry Gilbert, 67, and Dennis Eugene Yoder, 66, of Parkton, Maryland, were hunting on leased Chesapeake Forest Land near Bell Road in Whaleyville on Saturday, Jan. 20, when the incident happened.
As was their practice, the two men split up. They ended up setting up to hunt within 50 yards of each other, with the line of sight obstructed by several small trees and brush, according to an NRP news release.
Yoder saw movement, thought he saw the red and white coloring of a turkey and fired his 12-guage shotgun, police said. Gilbert yelled that he was hit.
Driven by Yoder, Gilbert was treated at Dorchester General Hospital for shotgun pellet wounds to his head, legs and hand and then released.
The case is under review by the Worcester County State’s Attorney for possible charges, the release said.