16-year-old hunter shot dead, another hunter drowns

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks continues to investigate the death of a 16-year-old who was allegedly shot by his father while hunting.

According to Sharkey County coroner Angela Easton, Cayle Mitchell Taylor, 16, of Franklinton, Louisiana, was shot in the chest and killed by his father while hunting in the Delta National Forest on New Year's Eve. MDWFP Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Steve Adcock said his department is investigating and still looking for answers.

"I can't really talk about it too much," Adcock said. "It is an ongoing investigation. We've still got some questions and some people to talk to."

While Adcock released few details about the shooting, he stressed the need for safe practices while hunting.

"The main thing is, people need to be aware of their target," Adcock said. "That's really all I can say without going into some other issues.

"You can't shoot at movement. You can't shoot at shadows. You've got to be 100 percent sure of your target."

Three days later, MDWFP officers were again called to the Delta National Forest and the scene of another tragedy. Easton said Daniel Franklin, 24, of Canton, died about 5 a.m. Sunday as the result of drowning.

"They had left out going duck hunting and they didn't have any lights and they hit a stump and it threw them out," Adcock said. "They didn't have any life jackets, either."

Adcock said being tossed into water is a difficult situation, but having it happen while wearing chest-waders that fill with water makes the situation worse.

"If you're wearing chest-waders and no life jacket, if you go in the water it's not going to be good," Adcock said.

Adcock said no charges were filed in the incident.

Contact Brian Broom at (601) 961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter.