Hunting season begins in Maine with two firearm incidents

Tue, 10/10/2017 - 11:45am

    Game wardens responded to a hunting related shooting north of Rangeley Friday evening, October 6. The shooting occurred on Portage Brook Road in Upper Cupsuptic TWP north of Rangeley at approximately 6 p.m.. The victim, Robert Cyr, 32, of Penobscot, was hunting with his friend Ben Burns, also 32, of Freeport, when the shooting took place.

    Both men observed a partridge (ruffed grouse) in the roadway. The men entered the woods in pursuit of the bird and both fired. Robert Cyr was shot as a result with 20-25 pellets striking much of his body. Cyr was transported by his hunting party to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington where he was treated and released. The incident is still under investigation by the Maine Warden Service. Both men are cooperating with this investigation, the Warden Service said in a news release.

    Additionally, a Kennebunkport woman is recovering from a shotgun wound to her foot. Kayla Corey, 28, from Kennebunkport was hunting partridge on the Ragmuff Road in Piscataquis County yesterday afternoon, Columbus Day. While loading her .410 bolt action shotgun loaded with bird shot, the firearm discharged. The shot struck her in the right foot.

    Corey was taken by her hunting party to Millinocket Regional Hospital where game wardens interviewed her. Corey was then taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for further treatment. Game wardens continue to investigate this hunting incident.

    This latest hunting related incident makes for Maine's fifth this year.