.....One deer hunter killed already...

Pathfinder1 · 11-20-2012, 06:50 PM

Hi...

Yes, rifle hunting for deer/bear opened just yesterday (Monday), and already one deer hunter was shot and killed by his hunting buddy and friend.

Now, I wasn't even in the same County as the shooting...yet I can only condemn the shooter as being unbelievably CARELESS...!! You see, the shooter had telescopic sights on his gun...!!

Authorities are pending an autopsy, but meanwhile are calling it a "hunting incident". At least they didn't (yet) call it an 'accident'.

Wish I had more of the lacking details, though.

Bojib · 11-20-2012, 09:05 PM

I used to enjoy hunting, but only during bow and muzzle loader seasons. During rifle season I was afraid to move. I could hear guns going off all around me, some closer than they should have been. I know there weren't that many deer were I was at.

What I never understood is that I never had any trouble telling the difference between a deer and a person. I never did put my sights on a human being.

Of course, I only hunted rifle season maybe three times. Bow and Muzzle Loader season didn't have as big a turn out so I stuck mainly with those.

wvbreamfisherman · 11-20-2012, 09:37 PM

No excuse, really. If you're not 100% sure of your target (and your backstop), don't take the shot!

That said, I'd venture to guess that a lot more hunters will die from a heart attack dragging their deer out than will die of gunshot wounds. Possibly even more will die from falling out of tree stands...

Hunting's pretty safe, overall.

Hikenhunter · 11-20-2012, 10:07 PM

Thats right there is no excuse, no room for error, We all make mistakes but you can not afford to make this mistake, Always be 100% shure of your target and what is behind it.

Pathfinder1 · 11-21-2012, 10:05 AM

wvbreamfisherman;
No excuse, really. If you're not 100% sure of your target (and your backstop), don't take the shot!

That said, I'd venture to guess that a lot more hunters will die from a heart attack dragging their deer out than will die of gunshot wounds. Possibly even more will die from falling out of tree stands...

Hunting's pretty safe, overall.

Hi...

You're probably right about both. About a week ago ago a hunter who had a heart attack was found under his tree stand. It wasn't known if the attack happened before or after he was in his stand.

Another call came in for a 'falling' incident in deer country, but don't know if it was from a stand or not.

And these were happenings were just in my County.

Pathfinder1 · 11-21-2012, 10:11 AM

Bojib;
I used to enjoy hunting, but only during bow and muzzle loader seasons. During rifle season I was afraid to move. I could hear guns going off all around me, some closer than they should have been. I know there weren't that many deer were I was at.

What I never understood is that I never had any trouble telling the difference between a deer and a person. I never did put my sights on a human being.

Of course, I only hunted rifle season maybe three times. Bow and Muzzle Loader season didn't have as big a turn out so I stuck mainly with those.

Hi...

Under the circumstances you just described, I think that I also might be hesitant to go into those woods during deer season.

**CozInCowtown** · 11-21-2012, 06:24 PM

Well, as tragic as this is I would like to compare them safety stats to driving in Chicago or NYC.

Pathfinder1 · 11-21-2012, 07:16 PM

CozInCowtown;
Well, as tragic as this is I would like to compare them safety stats to driving in Chicago or NYC.

Hi...

Or even around here, Coz.

Our County's largest town (6,500 year around), has a FD with one paid driver for each shift (fully volunteer, otherwise).

They run over one thousand calls per year...!!, including EMS calls, of which a HUGE amount are vehicle crashes...!!

FDNY people who are sometimes guests of of that Fire Dept. are amazed at the number of calls they handle yearly.

TakeAHike · 11-21-2012, 07:49 PM

We have had a couple of hunting accidents over the years where I am from and we also had a hunter who fell out of his stand and broke his neck. Hunting may not seem like it but it is a pretty dangerous sport. You need to be vigilant and stay visible. Besides, like others have said never take a shot you aren't sure of.

Scotty · 11-21-2012, 09:13 PM

We just had a young man, 15, who fell off of a cliff and was killed. He and his Dad had separated and we going to meet up and he never showed up. They searched for him and found him on the fourth day. The little guy knew the area so I don't know why he fell, but it was fatal. Terrible tragedy for the whole community and especially for his family. I've lost a son but he was considerably older than this young man. Still hurt and I think about him every day. I can't imagine what it would be to lose a young man before his prime.