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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

May 11, 2010

LaGrange Man Suffers Serious Injuries While Turkey Hunting

Augusta, Maine - Adam Jewell, 30, of LaGrange, suffered serious injuries to his face, neck and the left side of his torso today when he was hit by pellets while turkey hunting at approximately 7 a.m. in Chester, off the west side of North Chester Road.

Mr. Jewell was hit with turkey load fired from a 12-gauge shotgun used by Joel Susen, 29, of Chester, according to Maine Warden Service Lt. Tom Ward. Also hunting with the men was Josh Susen, 31, of Lincoln. A juvenile was with them, but was not hunting.

The men came upon a turkey in the field and separated, but upon doing so lost track of each other. Mr. Joel Susen saw movement, and fired one shot from a distance of approximately 40 yards, striking Mr. Jewell, according to Lt. Ward.

Mr. Jewell was transported by ambulance to Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, where he was stabilized before being transported by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

The Maine Warden Service is investigating the incident.

Wild turkey hunting is a popular activity in Maine. The spring harvest began on May 3 and ends Saturday, June 5. When out in the woods, hunters wear camouflage to hide from the wild turkeys, which have keen eyesight. Hunters are reminded to be mindful that other hunters may be in the area, and to certain of their target before shooting.

“It is a hunter’s responsibility to make sure they positively identify their target immediately prior to pulling the trigger,” according to Maine Warden Service Captain Dan Scott. “No bird or game animal is worth the risk of injuring another human being."