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Post by Woody Williams on May 5, 2008 17:09:41 GMT -5
Father Kills Son During Turkey Hunt
OLDHAM COUNTY, Ky. -- A hunter mistook his son for a turkey, shooting the boy to death in what authorities called a terrible accident. Oldham County police said a man and his 14-year-old son were hunting on private property in the 2000 block of Rebel Ridge Road about 7 a.m. Sunday when they got separated. When the father noticed some movement in the woods, he fired a 12-gauge shotgun, accidentally killing his son, police said. Police are withholding names pending family notification. They believe the shooting was only an accident. This incident is the latest in a series of turkey hunt-related shootings in recent weeks. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that an 8-year-old boy was shot to death by his father while they were on a similar hunting trip in Minnesota on April 21. A teen in West Virgina has been charged in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy. The two were hunting turkey, but were in separate parties when the shooting happened, according to the Charleston Gazette. www.wlky.com/news/16164898/detail.html
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Post by Hoosier Hunter on May 5, 2008 17:19:57 GMT -5
This is a horrible shame all because he didn't take the time to identify the target. How hard is that to do?
In turkey season you have to take the extra effort to ensure of this because of the no orange.
Since I'm not a bonafied turkey hunter what if orange was require anytime while walking? Again I don't know much about turkeys, just throwing that out?
Prayers to the family.
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Post by fftce67 on May 5, 2008 18:33:08 GMT -5
WOW what a shame. I just couldn't imagine what I would do if I had done something like that. Condolences to the family.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on May 5, 2008 20:41:23 GMT -5
I simply don't understand what some people are thinking, or not thinking, when they are out there hunting turkeys. I just don't see it possible to mistake a human being, no matter how big or small, for a turkey. Simply identify your target and then decide whether or not to shoot. I know this has to be really hard on this dad and I feel really sorry for him, but I just don't see how it happens.
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Post by dbd870 on May 6, 2008 3:37:15 GMT -5
It's so negligent, he saw some movement so he shot, you've got to be kidding me.
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Post by drgreyhound on May 6, 2008 4:27:10 GMT -5
It's so negligent, he saw some movement so he shot, you've got to be kidding me. This was my first thought--he didn't even bother to check the target. |
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Post by Woody Williams on May 6, 2008 5:10:08 GMT -5
A turkey hunter not only has to identify that it is a turkey, but also a bearded turkey. How can anyone shoot anything unless they see that beard?
HH,
Some states do require Hunter Orange. You have to have it on while walking and an orange band around the tree that you are sitting close to when working a bird.
The NWTF supposedly is against wearing hunter orange as they say that it can be easily mistaken for the red of a gobbler's head to some people. They have a "few" cases where someone wearing hunter orange was shot and the shooter claimed that defense. These were still in states where they could only shoot a bearded bird.
When the NRC/IDNR authorized the fall turkey gun hunts the wearing of hunter orange while walking and an orange band around the tree was in the proposal. There were enough hunters against it that they dropped that part.
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Post by oneshot on May 6, 2008 8:37:26 GMT -5
I feel bad for both of them. I couldn't imagine wanting a turkey or deer or whatever sooooooo bad that I would shoot at a target that I couldn't positively identify. I doubt if that guy will ever hunt again. Hopefully he won't.
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Post by Sasquatch on May 6, 2008 13:59:13 GMT -5
I simply don't understand what some people are thinking, or not thinking, when they are out there hunting turkeys. I just don't see it possible to mistake a human being, no matter how big or small, for a turkey. Simply identify your target and then decide whether or not to shoot. I know this has to be really hard on this dad and I feel really sorry for him, but I just don't see how it happens. I agree. I wonder how many of these are accidental discharges that the guilty party covers up by saying, "I thought he was a turkey!" If I ever go turkey hunting with my son, we'll be wearing orange until we set down. |
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Post by dadfsr on May 6, 2008 14:14:48 GMT -5
Just wondering in the back of my mind if the lack of military background in some of todays "hunters" is the root cause of some of these incidents BUT it still doesn't excuse anyone ever shooting at movement-that is just a totally ignorant and neglectful act.
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Post by 10point on May 6, 2008 14:17:52 GMT -5
PA took their hunter orange requirement away this year. I was hunting out their last week and Saturday morning I didnt' hunt where I wanted too because the field was rounded and there wasn't anywhere I could set up that I would be able to see beyond my shot.
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Post by jgrimm on May 8, 2008 12:50:24 GMT -5
It seems to me like this guy has no business hunting. and sure has no business taking a kid.
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Post by jkd on May 8, 2008 15:20:59 GMT -5
Unbelievable that this has happened again... both incidents were a function of not identifying the target, and also not knowing where your hunting partner/child is before taking a shot...
And as Woody said, if you're shooting at motion, you don't know hen from jake or what... totally goofy and uncalled for...
So far we've been reasonably lucky in Indiana, but I'm wondering, given the sudden popularity of turkey hunting, if we're not seeing hunters that are not only new to turkey hunting, but hunting in general, i.e. no prior experience deer hunting either...
No experienced, ethical hunter is going to pull the trigger without knowing what they're shooting at...
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Post by danf on May 8, 2008 15:52:23 GMT -5
Every time Dad and I have been out together this season I could have pulled the trigger a couple of times before the bird was positively identified as a tom. None of the times did I pull the trigger at all- every time it's turned out to be a hen...
Count me among those that don't understand how or why these incidents happen. It's completely rediculous to shoot at a motion, especially when you don't know where your hunting partner is!
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