Thread: how to stay safe out there/the shit just got real

Originally Posted by MightyBoosh

Good thread. Some honesty might prevent a future disaster.

Two incidents for me, both made me think a lot.

1) Saw a "possum tail" hanging out of a densely leaved branch one evening, put the scope on it and saw the "body". Took a shot with 22LR at fairly close range. There was a bit of clattering in the tree and a large bird of prey flew out. It looked unharmed, but I was mortified, firstly because I had potentially shot a protected species and secondly, because I had misidentified my target when I was 100% sure. The relevance of this to recent tragedies has not escaped me.

I have nearly done the same thing! I was so sure it was a possum I spotted but then I wasn't completely 100% sure so decided to leave it. I'm glad I did!

My Fiance's Uncle was killed by his mate while they were out hunting, I think he was in his 20's. (This happened before we were born). His family was so upset they got rid of all his guns and hunting gear and hated anything to do with hunting/firearms. We don't really talk/bring up our hunting around that side of the family. But it really has embedded gun safety and identifying your target into our heads and we both always have that accident in the back of our minds when we go out.