Rifle Season Tragedy: Caution Sad Story

[Arthur Scottie]

Some people hate sad stories, so I thought I would give a fair warning.

I live North of Pittsburgh, in 1A section. My friends dad is the local game commissioner, and he was called to the seen of a tragic accident.

What happened, was two guys were pushing game, trying to spook one up and potentially shoot one. One of the men kicked one up, drew, and shot his rifle without a seconds thought. The man was shooting at a deer at 43 yards. He had his scope set on the highest setting, so he could not see beyond his target. The man, I am sure, is an honest good hearted hunter, just a second of carelessness could lead to disaster. The man simply made a mistake, or an accident if you will.

After he had shot, he heard a young boy call out "you hit my dad, don't shoot". There was a ten year old boy sitting close beside his dad, simply enjoying a chilly Pennsylvannian deer hunt. The bullet had missed the deer, and had struck the boys dad square in the head.

The dad was dead, or died real quick. The two were sitting close together, so you can imagine the horror of being sprayed with your dads blood. I am sorry for being graffic, but the picture in your head is nothing compared to the picture in the young lads head.

Tragedy such as this happens all around the world everyday. It just really hits home to me, to have a young man witness such a terrible accident. They were hunting not too far away from where I live.

Keep in mind, it was an accident. This is a very real story, and I wish it was not. I do not know the specific names of  any of the people.

I beg you all, the worlds greatest deer is not worth the life of a young mans dad. It was an accident, but I encourage all of you to hunt archery as not to make such an accident. We all know to identify the target, and beyond. So I urge you to do so when you are using a rifle. Do not forget how quickly a hunt can turn into disaster.

Last but not least, Lets pray for the young man and his family. If you do not pray, then simply learn from the mistakes made and offer his family your condolences.


Everyone make up with their dads. Settle your petty, insignificant arguments. Love your friends and family, cause tragedy could be just a bullet, or a car accident away.

Sorry to share such a sad tale -Arthur

[Ian johnson]

prayers sent

[BenBow]

Prayers sent for all

[Benha]

Prayers from Ky.

[Doc Nock]

Art, indeed, prayers go out to that young man's family and to him for what he will endure as he rebuilds from this experience.

One point... and I know I often don't type as well as I'm thinking in email forums, but you wrote about "hunting archery to avoid such accidents..."

I'm not sure if you were suggesting that if we hunt with a bow, we won't have those deals, but if so, let me add that a few years back here in the E. part of the state, there were several years where guys were shot fron treestands in the DARK! With bows!

I guess that was back before we had antler restrictions and there was some of the "brown and down" mentality.

Tragedy is always that... senseless loss! Just so we don't elevate ourselves above reproach caues archery hunters still do dumb stuff too. Dumb is as dumb does... shooting someone with a bow in the dark is like shooting someone in spring gobbler season when you have to see a beard: Totally unexplainable to me.

Prayers for that family....AND...for the man who will live the rest of his life with that death on his conscience. Prayers for them all!

[Arthur Scottie]

I did not think of archery being dangereous, but it is as well. People get lost all the time and starve, or they fall out of a treestand.

Hunting is dangerous.

That is scary to me that people have been shot by arrows while in a treestand.

Getting shot while rifle hunting is probably my biggest fear.

All I can control is what I do, so I will try to avoid such accidents.

Good point though, archery can be just as dangerous.

[Doc Nock]

Art,

Not detracting from the real point of your post which is to pray hard for the man who released the shot...and the family who lost a father/husband etc.

Just we have to be careful if we divide our house... united we stand...divided we fall. Guns are more dangerous perhaps for the mere fact there are that many more folks afield with firearms.

As you say... there is a reason they invented the word "accident". Carlessness is different but from your report... this situation could have unfolded regardless of safety. We're to all be sure of the "backstop"...but one doesn't alway see everything in the backdrop.

I usually "run" away when I found myself in the process of being in line with any "drive".

Bottom line is we stand united to lift up the families on both sides. Can you imagine being the shooter and living with that wracking guilt?

Prayers for all concerned... and you offer a good warning regardless...be sure of the target AND the backstop... deflections occur with any weapon.

Shalom

[Arthur Scottie]

Good points.

I type slower than I think, so I always put my foot in my mouth.

Thanks guys, for the prayers.

[Ssamac]

Sad story but important lesson to remember. Stopped hunting upstate New York for this reason.
I think your point is well made. Life is fragile, it can change in the blink of an eye, so there's no point having hate and bitterness with someone who might not be there becuase of a sudden death by accident or health related thing. Treasure each other while we are here, not after.

Our prayers go out to this family and the hunter who will live with the the rest of his life.

sam

[doug g]

In a split second, so many lives are changed. Sad story, Prayers to all involved.

[motormouth]

prayers sent from montana

[Larry247]

Prayers sent to both parties involved in this sad misshap.

Not only will it be tramatic for this little boy, but for the other hunter as well.