Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 18, 1995                   TAG: 9511200033
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MISTAKEN TARGET SENDS WIRTZ HUNTER TO HOSPITAL

Sgt. Ron Henry of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said a man was trying to flush a deer toward two other hunters about 3 p.m. Friday when he fired his .50-caliber muzzleloader and struck one of the men.

Henry said the man, James Mattox , 42, of Glade Hill, either mistook his partner for the deer or shot at the deer and missed.

Johnny Blankenship, 40, of Wirtz was hit in the right shoulder, and the bullet traveled down his arm before exiting at the wrist, Henry said. Blankenship was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was listed in satisfactory condition Friday night.

The hunters were not wearing blaze orange clothing, which is required only during the modern firearms season that starts Monday. The men were hunting on private property in the Union Hall section of Franklin County near the intersection of Virginia 40 and Virginia 662.

Alcohol was not involved in the incident, Henry said.