Two hunters said they mistook a man for a bear when they fired a shot at him Wednesday, killing 24-year-old Carlos Paulo Carillo, who was picking ornamental greens in the woods outside Shelton.

The two hunters came to the Mason County Sheriff's Office in Shelton at about 4 p.m. Wednesday after hearing news reports about Carillo's death to report that they may have fired the fatal shot.

The two men were legally hunting bears in the area and said they were walking along the road when they thought they saw a bear in the brush, the sheriff's office said.

The men told detectives they fired one shot but believed they had missed the bear so they kept walking and left the area.

The sheriff's office said the hunters are being cooperative and at this point the shooting death appears to be a tragic accident.

Investigators said Carrillo was wearing black clothing.

Deputies said the case points out the need for people in forested and wilderness areas to use caution because hunting seasons of one type or another are in effect almost all year around. They urged everyone who works, hikes or hunts in wooded areas to wear bright clothing so they can be easily distinguished from wild game. They also said hunters are required to properly identify their target and what is behind it before pulling the trigger.

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