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Contact: Edie Smith, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 592-4348

Fax: (207) 287-6395

October 17, 2009

Pheasant Hunter Hit by Shotgun Pellet

Augusta, Maine - A 59-year-old Yarmouth-area man was hit in the chest area by a shotgun shell pellet while pheasant hunting with friends at approximately 9 a.m. today on Chebeague Island.

James Morrill, 59, was pheasant hunting with three friends when he went into some lilac bushes and underbrush with his dog. A friend, Leon Hamilton, 60, of Chebeague Island, shot at a pheasant that had come out of the underbrush, and one of the pellets from the lead shot shell hit Mr. Morrill in the chest area.

Mr. Hamilton told Game Wardens he did not know his friend had gone into the bushes. The pheasant was killed.

Mr. Morrill was taken to another island, and from there was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland. His injury was minor, and he was treated and released.

Mr. Morrill and his friends had released pheasants yesterday, Sept. 30, 2009, for the start of pheasant hunting season today.

The incident is under investigation by the Maine Warden Service.