Know what your shooting!

[BANG...WAC]

What a way to ruin lots of lives. I feel real bad for all involved.

http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20140507/NEWS01/305070012/Farmer-mistakes-employee-groundhog-shoots-her

 

[mattri]

Terrible that this is still happening. Like most safety failures it is the simple, basic things that people overlook "just once".

Good reminder to all.

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I believe everyone makes mistakes but I'm really tired of seeing people shoot people "accidently". The very first thing my dad taught me when I was a small boy was to shoot safely and to identify the target before pulling the trigger. Obviously this didn't happen here. In the Army we were taught to identify the target before firing. I never shot at anyone I wasn't trying to hit. Somehow, I just can't feel real sorry for the people who just start shooting without identifying the target. Years ago my brother and I were elk hunting and stopped to sit on a stump and eat a bite of lunch. We had orange safety vests on and some idiot in a party of three hunters shot at us twice! Lucky for us he was fat and out of shape and couldn't hit his butt with both hands but it was still scary. If they had not been caring weapons I would have kicked his butt through the goal posts of life for that mistake. Sorry to get carried away here but this is just so inexcusable today, especially when most people are carrying rifles with optical sights. This also gives the anti-gun folks some more fuel for their arguments. Be safe out there.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I'm going out on a limb here but I would guess the farmer didn't have a scope at 165 ft.. I think I have heard this type of accident many times from my father to hunter safety course instructors for this very reason.. I think about this sort of thing when I hear the old school guys talk about what they can accomplish with open sights.. It is a sad deal that shouldn't ever happen..

Ray

 

[WyleWD]

Lost a good hunting friend the same way..... he was out laying in a hayfield groundhog hunting, a fellow who was a novice hunter shot him... thinking that my friend was a groundhog. The "Know what you're shooting" is exceptionally sound advice. WD

 

[CaptainMal]

The murderer was not really a hunter but a landowner taking an opportunity to clear his land of varmints. The guy is old and probably of failing senses.

Just think it's tough to call it a hunting accident but it still is hideous anyway it's categorized.

 

[dragman]

Just a shame all the way around. know your target and beyond no exceptions just sad in this case it cost someone the ultimate price.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its not an accident. Know your target and whats behind it, thats basics. He needs to serve jail time, imo. Responsibility for ones actions.

 

[Acme7]

+ 1 for zfast thats not an accident its negligence with a high cost

 

[K22]

Here in PA, groundhog hunters are required to wear an orange hat, even if it wasn't required, I'd still wear one.

Not only must you identify your target, you must have an adequate back stop for any shot taken.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I don't think it would have mattered if the Hunter had a orange hat..


Ray