Choose Your Hunting Partners Carefully!

Every year, I read dozens of stories about hunters accidentally shooting other hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and even game wardens. Most of these incidents occur because people aren't following the basic firearm safety rules, specifically knowing your target and what's beyond it. Sometimes it's a hunter who gets shot because he "looked like a deer", sometimes it's a game warden who gets shot because he "just popped out of the bushes and startled me", and sometimes it's a casual hiker or camper who gets hurt because they were in the wrong place where an errant bullet landed. Needless to say, most of these situations could have easily been avoided, but what's even worse about getting shot by a stranger is when you get shot by your own hunting partner.

Those types of shootings can also be avoided, again primarily by following the firearm safety rules, and also by keeping a sharp situational awareness. Camouflage is sometimes blamed for this, as was the case in the story that I read this morning from Michigan, which involved four duck hunters. Three of the duck hunters had decided to head back for the day, and the remaining hunter was not 100% sure of the route they took on their return. Due to his poor eyesight, he claims that he did not see his hunting partners, dressed in camouflage, when a duck flew between himself and his partners. He fired at the duck, and instead peppered his own hunting partners, who were treated for birdshot wounds to the neck but later released from the hospital. The condition of the duck is unknown, but I'll guess that he lived to fly another day. You can read the entire story here: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/10/three_people_injured_after_bei.html

My point is, be careful about the partners that you choose. Make sure that they understand the firearm safety rules - and this does not mean assume that they know them because they've been shooting for years / hunting a lot / in the military / etc. Discuss safety and safe lanes of fire - make sure they understand that no shot on an animal is worth putting a human life at risk. Also, make sure that your partner wants the same results from the hunt that you do. Whether you are laid back and hunting-for-fun, or a super competitive, gotta-kill-something hunter, you need a partner that shares your views and your desired results. Choosing the wrong partner can result in one or both of you not enjoying the time spent hunting, or even worse, can result in arguments. You also need to make sure that your partner(s) knows exactly where you are at all times! Whether you are in a bush, on a stand, or going to water a tree, anyone with you needs to know about that! Simple communication could have prevented several of the hunting accidents that I have read about already this year.

So be careful out there, and choose to hunt only with those who share your sporting passion and safe habits!

Happy Hunting!