Injured hunter sues man who shot him

JOHNSTOWN - A hunter filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court on Wednesday against another hunter who mistook his turkey calls for a real bird.

In the original incident, Christopher Ackerknecht, 33, of Johnstown was shot by Mark Lane, 47, of County Highway 116, on the morning of May 31 - the last day of turkey season.

At the time of the incident, state Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman Lori O'Connell said the shooting was a mistake. She said both were hunting in Caroga Lake and Ackerknecht was struck with 28 pellets, mainly in his right arm. He was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital and released.

No tickets were issued, but Ackerknecht filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Lane, seeking unspecified damages. His attorney - David E. Gross of Newburgh - didn't return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.