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Hunter accidentally shot was not wearing orange

SLOVAN, Pa. — A game warden says a turkey hunter was not wearing an optional orange protective vest when he was mistaken for a wild gobbler by another hunter who shot him in the face in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Authorities have yet to release the names of either hunter involved in the incident about 7:15 a.m. today in Smith Township, Washington County. That’s about 20 miles west of Pittsburgh.

Game warden Beth Fife says the other hunter fired after hearing a gobble and seeing some movement in the brush.

The hunter who fired was far enough away that the victim of the 12-gauge shotgun blast was able to walk out of the woods despite being hit in the face. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital but his condition was not immediately clear.

Spring gobbler season runs through May 31.

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