Turkey hunter who killed his young son had no license

Last update: April 24, 2008 - 12:18 AM

The Belle Plaine man who fatally shot his 8-year-old son in the chest while turkey hunting Saturday did not have a license to hunt.

Anthony Klaseus, 39, paid $3 to enter a lottery and was drawn for a license. But he failed to buy the $18 license to hunt legally, said Sibley County Sheriff Bruce Ponath and authorities from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

It's one of the most common violations, said Mike Hammer, DNR education coordinator in the enforcement division.

The DNR can cite violators directly only if they're caught in the act, he said, but can investigate cases after the fact and forward them to the county attorney's office for possible charges.

Ponath said the license violation is part of the larger investigation, which his office hopes to complete in seven to 10 days.

Klaseus was hunting with his son, Hunter, in a Sibley County farm field. He told his son, Hunter, to stay put as he snuck into nearby woods, but the boy followed. His father mistook him for a turkey and shot him with a 12-gauge shotgun. Both were wearing camouflage gear, which is legal for turkey hunting.

Ponath said one of the property owner's sons has said Klaseus didn't have permission to hunt there. Authorities are investigating whether another of the owner's sons may have granted permission.

Hunters can hunt on private, non-agricultural land without asking permission if the property does not have "no trespassing" signs posted or if they have not been told by the owner to stay off.

Klaseus does not have any hunting or fishing violations on record, according to the DNR.

Hunter's funeral was held Wednesday. He would have turned 9 next week.

CHAO XIONG