Bowhunter Killed While Stalking Elk

A Centralia man was fatally shot by another bowhunter as two groups stalked a small herd of elk in the northwest corner of Cowlitz County, the sheriff’s office said.

Theron T. Ticknor, 54, was killed Wednesday while bowhunting with a companion. They were unaware that the animals they were stalking also were being hunted by a second group of bowhunters.

Ticknor was struck by arrows in the left shoulder and torso. Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene.

The name of the Everett man who fired the fatal shots was not released. An investigation was continuing, sheriff’s Lt. Dave Smith said.

Ticknor was not wearing “hunter’s orange” or other fluorescent gear. While such clothing is required during modern-rifle hunting seasons to help prevent hunters from shooting each other, it is not required with primitive weapons, Smith said.