A Tamaqua hunter charged with shooting two teens during bear season last November waived his right to a preliminary hearing with charges bound over to Schuylkill County Court.

Anthony H. Pascoe, 52, of Tamaqua, appeared before District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua, on Tuesday, represented by assistant public defender Michael A. O'Pake.Also on hand were four officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, including Wildlife Conservation Officers Kenneth Clouser and David Yusella.According to the affidavit, both officers were dispatched to a report of a hunting incident near Green Street, Tamaqua, at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, 2014.Upon arrival at the scene, Tamaqua Police officer Thomas Rodgers informed Clouser and Yusella that two juveniles were being airlifted for gunshot wounds inflicted by a single bullet during a hunting accident. The affidavit notes that Pennsylvania black bear season was in session at the time.According to the affidavit, Pascoe said he was out hunting, a statement which also concurs with the 911 tape when Pascoe called to report what had taken place.Pascoe indicated at one point that his rifle, a Remington 7600, discharged accidentally as he unloaded it and the shot struck a girl and boy.Pascoe said he ran to assist and called 911 using one of the victim's cellphones.Pascoe said he had been target shooting at rocks earlier in the day.The affidavit indicates that one of the juvenile victims, a female, asked Pascoe why he shot her, with Pascoe answering that he thought she was an animal.According to the police report, no statement was taken from the male victim at the time. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was unable to speak.Tamaqua police took a rifle and two knives from Pascoe.One victim was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital-Bethlehem, and the other to Lehigh Valley Hospital.Neither Pascoe nor O'Pake commented Tuesday.Both victims and their families and friends were on hand for the preliminary hearing.The male victim, 15, spent one month in the hospital and continues to recover."He's trying to move past it," said his mother, Sarah Bernardo, of Tamaqua. She said he suffered extensive injuries, which included loss of a portion of a lung and liver damage."He's still seeing doctors. He's getting better each day."The female victim has since relocated to Easton, according to her mother, Crystal Todd.She, too, is in the process of healing after spending one week in the hospital.Wildlife Conservation Officer Shawna Burkett interviewed the victims at the hospital.A day after the shooting, Pascoe met with wildlife officers and showed them where his rifle discharged.The spot was located within the safety zone of several homes. State law prohibits hunting in safety zones, which are within 150 yards of occupied buildings for gun users.Pascoe is charged with hunting in a safety zone, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of shooting at or causing injury while hunting, target shooting during big game season and hunting without a license.Bayer said Pascoe is not considered a flight risk and no bail was set.He was released on his own recognizance.