Hunters who accidentally kill someone could lose their hunting priveleges permanently. A bill in the Senate puts the power of revocation into the hands of the Conservation Department.
If someone dies as a result of a hunter’s carelessness, the shooter loses his or her hunting priveleges for five years under Missouri statute. Some say that’s not enough.
Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Peters) presented his bill to the Agriculture committee.
Karen Ermeling told the committee she lost her husband in a hunting accident.
As he was calling turkeys for his hunting partner, the partner suddenly turned 180 degrees and shot Russell Ermeling in the face.
Ermeling says the hunter pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was given five years probation and a hundred hours of community service speaking on hunter safety. But, she says, the shooter still claims he did nothing wrong.
Talia Williamson flew to Jefferson City from Pompano Beach, Florida. She said she lost her husband in same way almost a year ago.
Senator Dan Clemens (R-Marshfield), chairman of the Ag Committee, says the testimony was moving to hear.
No one spoke in opposition to the bill.
The Department of Conservation says accidents are more common during turkey season because hunters are not required to wear blaze orange and are often completely camoflaged.
Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]
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