http://www.wta.org/trail-news/signpost/ ... k-mountainHappened up here just a few years ago.The juvenile was accompanied by his brother, another juvenile, not even adult. His grandfather dropped them off and was waiting in the car at the TH for them (only a quarter mile away, btw), as I recall. She was wearing a blue coat- I had no idea bears wore blue coats. If memory serves me, the kid got less than a slap on the wrist.
The key part of the above linked article? "
Hunting is legal just about anywhere in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, according to Renee Bodine, public information officer for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie. But, Bodine said, "according to the code of federal regulations, it's not legal to fire across roads or trails [on the forest] or 150 yards from campgrounds.
Ultimately, it's the responsibility of the hunter to stay away from and not endanger others. Hunters are responsible for what they shoot at.""
Why the hell does anyone have to hunt on or near a trail? The hunters that I know want to be as far away from a trail as possible- hikers generally spook wildlife. This is also why, even though I hate the color, I never leave the car in the wild unless I'm wearing day-glo orange, regardless of the season.
I'm sure he's sorry. I'm sure he's upset. However, actions have consequences- he deserves his day in court, but I'd like to see him charged with criminally negligent involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.
(And I think it's negligent at best to say the hiker was "pretending" to be a bear. Just my opinion.)