Hiker mistaken for bear by young hunter

There was no adult present martybarker.

Conflicting information as to the ages. But still a very sad, unfortunate thing to happen.


Oso hiker's death a rare accident

Officials say the Oso woman's death is the first time in decades a non-hunter has died in a hunting accident.

By Jackson Holtz
Herald Writer

OSO -- Pamela Almli died doing what she loved most: hiking.

The 54-year-old Oso woman was killed Saturday by a 14-year-old Concrete boy in an apparent hunting mishap. The teenager reportedly mistook the woman for a bear, Skagit County sheriff's officials said.

Almli's death on Sauk Mountain is the first time a non-hunter has died in a hunting incident in Washington within the past 25 years, said state Fish and Wildlife Capt. Bill Hebner.

"I can only imagine a lot of lives were changed forever as a result of this accident," Hebner said. "It's a tragedy from every perspective."

The Skagit County Sheriff's Office is investigating with Fish and Wildlife officers.

Almli was hiking with a friend. She apparently stopped on a trail about 10:30 a.m. to put something into her backpack when the boy fired one shot, Skagit County sheriff's Chief Will Reichardt said.

The teenage hunter was with his older brother, 16, Reichardt said.

"Their grandfather drove them to the mountain and was waiting in the vehicle about a quarter-mile away when the shooting occurred," he said.

State law does not currently require juveniles to have an adult with them while hunting, Hebner said.

However, "We would recommend that any young person be accompanied by an experienced hunting adult," he said.

The Fish and Wildlife agency has asked the Legislature to impose minimum age requirements for lone hunters.

A similar law was in effect until the mid-90s, when it fell off the books, Hebner said.

Sheriff's investigators on Monday met with Skagit County prosecutors, Reichardt said.

Additional investigation is required before a decision can be made whether to pursue criminal charges, he said. No timetable was given for when that decision will be made.

"All I can say is that it never should have happened," Almli's husband, William, told the Skagit Valley Herald. They have a son and three grandchildren.

"How do you confuse a woman with a bear?" he asked.

Almli's motto was hike, bike, kayak and ski, her family said in an obituary placed in The Herald.

She loved the outdoors and could name every mountain in the Cascades, the family said.

"Pam had a spunky personality. She loved being alive and was determined to live life to its fullest. Pam loved her family, friends, pets and flowers. A light has gone out of our lives. We will miss her," the obituary said.

The accident shouldn't discourage hikers and others from enjoying the woods, Hebner said.

"This is a very rare event," he said. "It's still safe to use the woods and hike and do other recreational activities."

Hikers do need to be aware that they share the woods with hunters, Hebner said.

Wearing brightly colored clothing and being aware of surroundings is always a good idea, he said.

In the past decade, eight people have died in Washington in hunting mishaps, a rate of less than one per year.

Still, Almli's death was the first time someone hiking has died in a hunting-related shooting in the state in recent memory, Hebner said.

"It's very unusual for this to happen," he said. "Typically, a hunting fatality involves someone in the hunting party."

Bear hunting season started Friday and remains open until Nov. 15.

All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972, are required to successfully complete at least 10 hours of a hunter education class and carry a hunting license.

The boy had passed the prerequisite hunting curriculum and was properly licensed, Hebner said.

Joe Miele, president of a nonprofit group called the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting, said hunting accidents happen far more frequently than reported.

"As long as they're hunting, there are going to be hunting accidents," he said. "I grieve for this poor kid as well as for the victim. We don't take any glee in it. It's a tragedy and our hearts go out to everyone involved."

Were you correcting me or answering my question as to how this could have happened?

Offhand, I would guess she's questioning the adultness of the person supposedly supervising. I certainly do.

Yes, the second story I read stated that the two hunters were 14 and 16. The first article just stated that an adult was there. I wouldn't consider 16 an adult.

Personally, I don't go out for a hike with the intention of dressing in a manner that would distinguish me from an animal.

There is so much wrong with this.

If that kid could get off such an accurate shot it seems that he would have been able to distinguish her from a bear. It just doesn't make sense.

What could that grandfather have been thinking sending a couple of kids off into bear country? Bears have been a very serious problem this year in Oregon at least. Apparently the soggy early summer and the cool temperatures have decimated the native berries and the bears are getting a bit agressive. They killed 12 over the course of about 2 weeks on one little stretch of the coast.

Apparently he knew the kid was a crack shot...wasn't worried about him handling himself. Even if an adult was present there is no guarantee it wouldn't have happened, unless the 14 year old asked if it were a bear.

Let me just say - if I hiked in woods that were shared with hunters on a consistent basis, I would definitely wear that bright orange vest so there would be no mistaking. After reading this article, I am wondering if I would hike there at all during hunting season. Tragic. For the 14 year old as well...he must feel horrible.

This is a very difficult situation.

Always, always, positively identify your target.

I have no issue with the grandfather taking them hunting. Obviously they wanted to go hunt bears and that's what they were doing.

14 and 16 - both are old enough to hunt alone in just about any state.

This is more about proper training than anything.

While I understand when marty says she doesn't dress to distinguish herself from an animal, it is always a good idea to do so. At least during firearms season. There's always one "hunter" (read idiot) in the woods trying to ruin it for everybody.

I was correcting the article posted stating that an adult was present.

Apparently it wasn't clear to all...but regardless it is not against the law...which is strange...they can't drive a car until they are 16, seems to me they should have an adult with them until they are at least that age...scary to me. Does anyone know the specifics of the law and hunting when it comes to minors? cjhsa?

Re: Hiker mistaken for bear by young hunter


It is quite possible that because it was the first day of bear hunting season the victim was not aware she needed to dress to distingusih herself from an animal. The responsibility needs to lie with the hunter.

Tragic story indeed. This is one life lesson learned for the boy. Too bad it had to happen at the expense of another human being.

Every state makes their own laws concerning this. It varies greatly.

I know we had a similar incident a few years back. A 60-something year old hunter shot another hunter thinking he was a bear. The shot hunter (who was wounded, but lived) was wearing brown camo and a fuzzy brown, hand knitted cap (they made a big point of this at the time, like it was the only reason he got shot). The shooter had had a couple beers, but was not legally drunk. I can't remember how it all got settled, but I know age is not the only problem sometimes.

Here in Michigan they can hunt alone on private lands at age 12. I don't know how many actually do it or how many parents encourage it - I cannot say. This is what the MI DNR's website says (this varies by state):

Special Rules for Young Hunters (10-16 Years of Age)

Hunters can be licensed at age 10. A hunter must be at least 12 years old to hunt deer, bear or elk with a firearm. Hunters age 12-13 may hunt deer, bear or elk with a firearm only on private land, including lands enrolled in the Commercial Forest program.
Exception: Everyone 10 or older is required to have a license to hunt when participating in a bear or bobcat hunt with dogs.
To obtain a regular hunting license, your parent or guardian must accompany you to a license agent. You must fill out an application and present your Michigan hunter safety certificate at this time. For information on hunter safety classes, contact the nearest DNR Operations Service Centeror search online.
Hunters under age 17, when afield, other than on land where their parent or guardian lives, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone 18 or older designated by their parent or guardian. "Accompanied by" requires the adult to be able to come to the immediate aid of the other person and staying within a distance from the other person that permits uninterrupted, unaided visual and verbal contact.
The minimum age requirements for all licenses are listed with the License Fees. Nonresidents under the age of 17 may purchase resident and junior licenses.
Junior archery deer hunting, junior combination deer, junior small game, and junior fur harvester licenses are available to resident and nonresident hunters, ages 10-16, and grant the same privileges as the adult licenses.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080813/NEWS01/398651475/0/FRONTPAGE

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