SUFFIELD - -- A 53-year-old Windsor Locks man was accidentally shot by a friend Tuesday morning as they were hunting for turkeys on private Suffield land, police and state officials said.
James E. Liss was taken to the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after being hit with shotgun pellets in the face, chest, neck and abdomen, officials said. Dennis Schain, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Liss was in serious condition Tuesday afternoon, but his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
About 8:30 a.m., Suffield police responded to a wooded area off North Grand Street, where Thomas Poloski, 48, of South Windsor, apparently shot Liss as they were hunting for turkeys. Both had obtained the proper permits to hunt, police said.
Police said the shooting appears to have been an accident. The DEP is investigating.
According to DEP, the 2007 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season began May 2 and runs until May 26. Those with permits may hunt from a half-hour before sunrise until noon. Hunters can take two bearded turkeys on state land or three on private land.
All turkeys harvested must be tagged immediately and reported to DEP on mandatory report cards within 24 hours.
James E. Liss was taken to the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after being hit with shotgun pellets in the face, chest, neck and abdomen, officials said. Dennis Schain, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Liss was in serious condition Tuesday afternoon, but his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
About 8:30 a.m., Suffield police responded to a wooded area off North Grand Street, where Thomas Poloski, 48, of South Windsor, apparently shot Liss as they were hunting for turkeys. Both had obtained the proper permits to hunt, police said.
Police said the shooting appears to have been an accident. The DEP is investigating.
According to DEP, the 2007 Connecticut spring wild turkey hunting season began May 2 and runs until May 26. Those with permits may hunt from a half-hour before sunrise until noon. Hunters can take two bearded turkeys on state land or three on private land.
All turkeys harvested must be tagged immediately and reported to DEP on mandatory report cards within 24 hours.