Thread: hunter down :(

Originally Posted by peril 787b

Maybe the media need to use the term "incident" more often so it becomes readily used in a situation such as this. If he was shot by another person who was in no way connected with their hunting party, calling him a heartless idiot is rather fitting. Not going to his aid or at the very least owning up to it is a disgrace.

Don't be too judgemental until all the facts are known Guys!!

Sounds like you may know more Steve. From the news reports I've read, the guy was shot, is now dead and no-one is owning up to the shooting. Seems like it he's done a runner to me

Originally Posted by ebf

I don't think changing the agency is going to achieve anything unless there is a substantial change in the law, the regulations and the process.

The thing is that with most firearm uses outside of hunting, it is pretty much self-policing. If you join a pistol club and act like a idiot on the range, you will very quickly get told to pack your bags, and same for most other sporting codes.

With hunting you have guys going out once a year, guys hyped on buck-fever etc. No way that I can see how you can regulate it. My view is that if we had the same amount of deaths / accidents on target ranges, pistol clubs and clay fields, the relevant associations would have stepped in long ago.

Only way I can see forward is to make it mandatory to belong to something like NZDA (if your intended firearm use is hunting). For them to radically change their approach to safety training and vetting, and to make that part of the process of obtaining a hunting license. That and a huge change in attitude from the average guy going out there to hunt, where it changes from the current macho bullshit attitude to one where you are man enough to come down like a ton of bricks on any mate that does something stupid or unsafe, to make "safe" practises the rule, rather than something that is seen as girly or unnecessary.

Unfortunately I do not see this happening, and fear we will be having the same debate next year, and the year after...

Correct me if im wrong but a firearms coordinator with the the deerstalkers shot his mate two or three years ago

Originally Posted by kawekakid

Correct me if im wrong but a firearms coordinator with the the deerstalkers shot his mate two or three years ago

No you are right - piss poor form

Just shows it can happen to the "top" of the hunting comnuity. It's easy to say people look nothing like deer but if a couple of people that are known and respected hunters can shoot someone by mistake it can happen to anyone.

Originally Posted by kawekakid

Correct me if im wrong but a firearms coordinator with the the deerstalkers shot his mate two or three years ago

He was an ex wellington Deerstalkers president and im not sure it was his mate.And making us all join up to a drivers club isn't going to stop car crashes is it? Ebf is right about one thing this argument is going to happen every year.The best advice I was given by an old head was this.
Worry about keeping your own shit in order before fixing others.

Jasen

Very true kawekakid. It seems all caliber of hunters are making the mistake which is starting to scare me. I won't shoot unless im looking at that deer in the eye at close range and with 100% of the animal exposed.

Originally Posted by kawekakid

Correct me if im wrong but a firearms coordinator with the the deerstalkers shot his mate two or three years ago

Correct (kind of), as pointed out earlier he was ex president and the victim was in another group

If you read what I said carefully, you will notice:

something like NZDA (if your intended firearm use is hunting). For them to radically change their approach to safety training and vetting

Bottom line is hunters need to change, this is not happening with the same frequency in other firearms sports. And before you get all excited, I am both a hunter and sport shooter, so would be subject to any new safety scheme as well...

I'm far too new to the sport to make any comment on stricter licensing or anything but it should serve as a reminder to treat firearms with the respect they deserve and identify the target. Thoughts are with the families of those involved, what a terrible situation. You can never be too careful.

Originally Posted by square1

I'm far too new to the sport to make any comment on stricter licensing or anything but it should serve as a reminder to treat firearms with the respect they deserve and identify the target. Thoughts are with the families of those involved, what a terrible situation. You can never be too careful.

You'll find that everyone's opinion is valued here @square1.

You should speak up if you have an opinion ... It's often the newer comers to any sport who have the most refreshing perspectives on things.


Tim

Originally Posted by square1

...but it should serve as a reminder to treat firearms with the respect they deserve and identify the target.

Spot on IMO.

I see far to many people on forums after incidents like this slagging off whichever stereotype of hunter they think is responsible - maybe because blaming someone else is easier than accepting that any of us can make mistakes and need to do whatever we can to avoid them. Treat it as a reminder to be careful, and if/when it becomes clear what happened then learn from it! Learning from other people's mistakes beats the hell out of making the same ones yourself.

If anyone on here thinks they're so good that it could never happen to them... please stay home instead.

Im starting to think what other times of the year do we have hunters shooting each other? and coming to the conclusion to really pick my areas around the roar ie not if there will be deer there but if and when there will be other hunters.

I play a ton of paintball every week and the roar is seeming more each year to take on the aspect of paintball but with bullets.


Only two hunters down sure.. but I gotta wonder how many close calls go on. You here enough on the forums about people looking through their scopes etc for ages trying to figure out if that object is in fact a deer only to see after a few mins that's its a person.Bloody Good on them for having the right attitude to take the time and patience to really identify their target.. but how many out there during the roar would really go to those lengths to identify what they are shooting ?

I've personally known half a dozen people who would just go Bang as fast as they possibly could if they thought it was a deer.Last year I asked one how he got on and was told something along the lines of he hadn't scored anything but got a few sound shots off.....

You only have to note the numbers of illegal spotlighters and the odd bush longdrop with bullet holes about body height to know there's retards with the wrong attitude out there in force.

Originally Posted by peril 787b

Sounds like you may know more Steve. From the news reports I've read, the guy was shot, is now dead and no-one is owning up to the shooting. Seems like it he's done a runner to me

He is a very respected hunter and he has not done a runner.

Originally Posted by Toby

Just shows it can happen to the "top" of the hunting comnuity. It's easy to say people look nothing like deer but if a couple of people that are known and respected hunters can shoot someone by mistake it can happen to anyone.

Wisdom beyond your years Toby

Originally Posted by Steveh054

He is a very respected hunter and he has not done a runner.

"was"