A Klamath Falls hunter now faces a felony assault charge for shooting and wounding a Medford man during what authorities have called a hunting accident near Howard Prairie.

A Jackson County grand jury today indicted Cole Reeves, 36, on a single count of third-degree assault for shooting hunter Glen Bogart in the back Oct. 1.

The seven-member jury chose the felony charge over two lesser misdemeanor options — fourth-degree assault and negligent wounding of another, said David Orr, the Jackson County assistant district attorney who is handling the case.

A conviction on a third-degree assault charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Reeves said he did not expect the grand jury to choose a felony charge.

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"I'm kind of surprised," Reeves said. "It was a hunting accident."

Reeves said he has hired Medford defense attorney Jeni Feinberg, who could not be reached for comment.

Reeves declined further comment.

No initial court appearance has been set, Orr said.

Investigators said Reeves shot at and missed a deer Oct. 1 northeast of Ashland. The bullet traveled a total of about 319 feet through brush and across a forest road before striking Glen Bogart in the back.

Bogart, 43, spent more than a month in Medford hospitals before being released Nov. 6.

Third-degree assault is a Class C felony. An indictment on that charge alleges that Reeves acted recklessly when he seriously wounded Bogart by firing without properly identifying what was behind his target.

Reeves told investigators that he never saw Bogart before he fired, deputies said.

The grand jury initially met Nov. 15 to consider Reeves' case. The panel reconvened Wednesday morning and deliberated without hearing testimony from any new witnesses, Orr said.

Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail mfreeman@mailtribune.com.