Hunter falls to death from cliff while setting turkey blind

Story Published: Apr 8, 2008 at 8:39 AM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 8, 2008 at 8:39 AM PDT

By Associated Press

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) - A turkey hunter fell to his death in southwest Spokane County, apparently while setting up a blind on a 40-foot cliff.

Sheriff's deputies say the 71-year-old Cheney man left home Saturday or Sunday to assemble the turkey blind.

A neighbor became concerned when he failed to return by Monday afternoon. The neighbor found the man's body about 5 p.m. at the base of a cliff on the east shore of Badger Lake, south of Cheney.

Deputies say they found a hammer near a stake by the edge of the cliff, indicating the man was driving the stake into the ground and lost his footing, became dizzy or fainted. The neighbor says the man was a diabetic who sometimes had fainting and dizzy spells.

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