On March 28, Robert J. Startzman of Hagerstown pled guilty to negligent hunting in Washington County District Court. He was placed on one year unsupervised probation; had his hunting privileges revoked for one year; and was given a $500 fine with $250 suspended.
Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Startzman on Feb. 27 after a hunting accident at the Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area in Washington County.
Startzman, 20, and John C. Boring, 21, of Hagerstown, were squirrel hunting when the two saw a groundhog run behind a tree.
Both individuals raised their firearms as the groundhog came back into view. Startzman shot his .22 caliber rifle, striking Boring in the right arm.
Boring was treated and released at Washington County Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Boring was also charged, and paid a fine for hunting forest game with an unplugged shotgun.