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Two might face charges in hunting accidents
Bryan, Liberty incidents under investigation
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A hunting accident in Bryan County on Nov. 20 and another in Liberty County on Nov. 21 put a damper on Thanksgiving weekend for several families, leaving two victims with gunshot injuries, and two shooters facing possible charges.
According to Cpl. Phillip Scott, conservation ranger with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and investigating DNR officer for both accidents, the first incident occurred at dusk just off Highway 119 near Pembroke.
Scott said the two young men supposedly were deer hunting on a canal road. They heard movement in the brush, and one of the men fired his shotgun, hitting another man in his left hand with 12-gauge “00” (“double-aught”) buckshot,” he said.
He said the unnamed victim was lucky to have had only two or three of the eight or nine pea-sized pellets hit his hand. It also was a good thing he was wearing leather gloves, Scott said.
“He was transported to St. Joseph’s in Savannah,” Scott said. “I don’t think he’ll lose the use of his hand. There was some delay about calling 9/11 because the victim said he was OK.”
While there still is some question about whether the 19- and 20-year-old had permission to hunt on the private land where the accident occurred, Scott said both hunters had completed Georgia’s hunter-education course and had valid hunting licenses.
The other accident occurred around 8 p.m. Nov. 21, just off Cay Creek Road near Midway, Scott said.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cpl. Dennis Abbgy’s report said medical personnel immediately began treating Midway resident Steven Amason, 20, for gunshot wounds while Abbgy secured evidence and talked to witnesses until Scott arrived.
“There were six adults — five men and one woman,” Scott said. “Only two of the men had shotguns. They said they were hunting wild hogs. The party separated, and when they heard movement in the woods, one of the men fired.”
Scott said Amason was hit in his left hand and upper chest with “No. 5” shot. However, the victim was fortunate it was not buckshot, he said.
Amason was taken to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, where Scott said he’s heard his condition has improved.
Scott said both shotguns were taken as evidence, and the investigation still is pending. He also said alcohol was involved in the incident.

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