Montana Hunter Charged, Accidentally Shot Colorado Hunter

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A 48-year-old northwestern Montana man who accidentally shot a Colorado hunter in the leg last month is charged with negligent endangerment.

Mike Wagner of Libby made an initial appearance Tuesday in Justice Court in Lincoln County. Fish, Wildlife and Parks has also cited Wagner with two more misdemeanors for hunting from a public highway and failure to obtain landowner permission before following a wounded mule buck onto private property on Nov. 16.

The shooting victim, 60-year-old John Cleveland, was struck in the thigh. He was treated in Montana before returning to Colorado, where he remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. He faces several operations to repair the damage to his leg.

Cleveland was not wearing hunter orange when he was shot. FWP says he will not be charged.