A criminal case has been opened against a 66-year-old resident of the Magadan region after a tragic misjudgment during a bear-hunting scenario led to the death of a hunter. The incident occurred in the late hours of May 10, with investigators stating that the case is being pursued under the article concerning negligent causing of death. Information about the case comes from the regional branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee and reports from the regional press service.
Preliminary details place the event in a forest area about 16 kilometers from the village of Ust-Omchug, within the Tenkinsky district. Officials say the hunter who fired was operating from a distance of roughly 250 meters when he mistook a moving 61-year-old man for a bear. The shot struck the forested area where the unidentified hunter was located, and the victim died while being transported to a medical facility.
Authorities overseeing the regional Investigative Committee have stated that a full set of investigative and procedural actions is underway to establish all the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The focus is on whether standards of safety and careful identification of targets were followed during the hunt, and whether any contributing factors related to the equipment, lighting, or situational awareness played a role.
In a separate, earlier incident reported in the same region, an elderly man from Ivanovo region shot and killed a 38-year-old hunter, mistaking him for a deer. In that case, the court found the shooter guilty and sentenced him to one year of mandatory labor. Authorities note similarities in these cases highlight the essential need for heightened caution during hunts, especially when visibility is reduced and multiple people are present in forested terrain.
Experts in hunting safety emphasize that even experienced marksmen can misread a target under low light or dense cover. They advise hunters to adopt conservative procedures, such as maintaining clear lines of sight, coordinating with companions, and employing slow, deliberate movements when moving through wooded areas. The ongoing Magadan investigation will consider whether such precautions were taken and if any learning points can be drawn to improve safety protocols for future hunts in the region.
As the investigation continues, local authorities remind residents and visitors that forest hunting requires strict adherence to safety rules and mindful target identification. The outcome of the case will depend on the findings regarding causation, negligence, and the adequacy of the precautions that were in place at the time of the incident. The community awaits further updates from the Investigative Committee as new details become available.