Published: November 29, 2009 12:08 am      

Hunter dies in Green Ridge

FLINTSTONE — No foul play is suspected in the death of a Washington County hunter found dead on Saturday in Green Ridge State Forest on the first day of the firearm season for deer hunting.

The body of Robert S. Miner, 70, of Boonsboro, will be transported to the chief medical examiner’s office in Baltimore for autopsy, Sgt. Arthur Windemuth, public information officer for the Maryland Natural Resources Police, said. Preliminary results are expected back in about two days, he said.

“Currently, this is being investigated as an unattended death,” Windemuth said. “This does not appear to be a hunting-related (incident). Foul play is not suspected. I think we would categorize this ... as a ‘nonhunting’” incident.

Windemuth said a fellow hunter came across Miner’s body in an area near Merten’s Avenue, located between Old Williams Road and Green Ridge Road situated in the northwest section of the forest.

The hunter called police. Miner’s son, who was hunting nearby, and wife both had been notified as of early Saturday evening, Windemuth said.

Officers from NRP’s Special Operations Division are continuing the investigate, Windemuth said.

Non-hunting related deaths are not uncommon. On opening day in West Virginia on Monday, three such deaths were reported, including Cumberland resident Charles Wilkinson in Preston County.

The other two deaths were reported in Hardy and Morgan counties. All three victims suffered apparent heart attacks, according to officials.

Windemuth said while the incident did not appear to be a safety issue on Saturday, he cautioned hunters to take proper measures to ensure their own safety as well as that of fellow hunters and outdoors enthusiasts.

• Wear fluorescent orange.

• Use safety harness if in tree stand.

• Inspect tree stands prior to use to ensure good condition.

• Obey safety zone law. No hunting within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling unless prior written permission is obtained.

• Practice common sense and ethical hunting.

• Hunters, know background when shooting at target.

Windemuth said shooters should not only identify their target but look beyond the target to be sure there are not unintended consequences.

Green Ridge is the second largest state forest in Maryland. It consists of 46,000 acres of oak-hickory forest and is located in eastern Allegany County approximately eight miles of Flintstone.

The forest is located in the Ridge and Valley Province of the Allegheny Mountain chain and is known for a wide variety of recreational uses, including fishing, hiking, biking, camping and hunting.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.