Pal raced hunter, 71, for help after wounded deer attacked

Rocky Mountain News

Published November 6, 2007 at midnight

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A 71-year-old hunter treated at St. Mary's Hospital for a puncture wound was rushed first to Craig Memorial Hospital by a friend after he was gored by a deer Sunday.

According to Samantha Johnston, spokeswoman for Craig Memorial Hospital, the hunter was treated and then airlifted to Grand Junction, where St. Mary's officials wouldn't release details of his condition, The Daily Sentinel reported today.

The hunter suffered "significant" injuries after shooting the deer, said Randy Hampton, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Hampton said officials hope to produce an accident report, and possibly release the hunter's name, after they are able to speak to him.

The goring occurred about 15 miles south of Craig in Routt County, Hampton said.

When the two hunters went to retrieve the deer, it bucked.

"It is not uncommon," Hampton said. "Certainly we have heard stories, but when they are minor, these incidents go unreported."

Mandatory hunter education courses require hunters in Colorado to approach downed game with caution to ensure the animals are dead, Hampton said. Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1949, are not required by law to take the education courses, an exemption that would cover the 71-year-old injured man.

"If you're dealing with an animal that's not killed, you're dealing with a wounded animal — and wounded animals can be extremely dangerous," Hampton told the Craig Daily Press.

If an animal is wounded and suffering, "ethical hunters are going to put it down right away and that is probably the reason that draws people into these situations — they want to do the ethical thing," Hampton said.

The Daily Sentinel and Craig Daily Press contributed to this report.

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