Fatality underscores vital principal of being sure of target

Minnesota had a remarkably safe turkey hunting record -- until last weekend when an 8-year-old boy was shot and killed by his dad in Sibley County.

It was the first turkey hunting fatality in 30 years, since turkey hunting began here in 1978.

Hunter Klaseus was with his dad, Anthony, 39, of Belle Plaine, on Saturday when Anthony Klaseus apparently mistook his son for a turkey and shot him with a 12-gauge shotgun. He had told the boy to stay where he was, then left to stalk a turkey. But Hunter headed toward him.

The case underscores the prime hunter-safety principal: Be sure of your target and what's beyond it, said Mike Hammer, Department of Natural Resources hunter education program coordinator.

Until Saturday, there had been 15 turkey hunting accidents over 30 years, none fatal. Minnesota's turkey season began last Wednesday, and runs through May 29.

Unlike deer hunters or upland bird hunters, turkey hunters aren't required to wear blaze orange. They dress in camouflage clothing to prevent being seen by the sharp-eyed turkeys. And hunters often move through the woods, stalking turkeys and calling them.

"Stalking is not against the law, but it's something we strongly recommend against,'' Hammer said. "Because you're often stalking a sound. You don't know if it's a turkey or another turkey hunter.''

"We also strongly advise people to wear blaze orange when going to or from their hunting location, or whenever they are moving,'' he added.

Hammer offered some other tips:

• Don't wear any clothing with turkey colors -- red, white, blue and black.

• Set up with good visibility so you can see turkeys, but also other hunters approaching. If you see someone else, call out to them.

• Make sure you have a legal turkey in sight. In the spring, that means one with a visible beard.

DOUG SMITH