MOUNT VERNON, Wash -- The teenaged hunter accused of shooting and killing a hiker who he thought was a bear, pleaded not guilty to first degree manslaughter charges in court Wednesday.

The tragedy happened Aug. 2 on Sauk Mountain when the 14-year-old boy was hunting with his 16-year-old brother.

Charging papers say the young hunter fired at what he thought was a bear. But it was Pamela Almli, who was hiking with a friend. She was killed.

"It is a horrible time and as I've told you, they are acutely aware of the pain and the grief of the Almli family," said the teen's defense attorney Roy Howson.

The teen's father stood with his arm around his son as the judge asked the teen to enter his plea. The teen replied, "not guilty."

The judge also put a standard no-contact order in effect so this teenager can not try and talk with anyone in Almli's family, or her friend who witnessed the shooting.

"I know the family would like to reach out to them," Howson said. "But they don't know what to do or how."

Howson added the teenager is getting counseling.

The case could go to trial as early October. If convicted, the teen could be in juvenile detention until his 21st birthday.