First off, I'm going to say I'm new to this forum. I found it to get information on black powder hunting. I'm getting a new black powder rifle for Christmas and have never owned or shot one before. The deer hunting bug didn't hit me until I was 24 years old and I've been deer hunting about 26 years now with a shotgun using slugs. I'm looking forward trying the black powder gun. Twice I have hit deer and wasn't able to find them, once was exactly like Merlin11274 explained but about 5 years ago. I shoot my shotgun throughout the year and I'm very comfortable with the way it shoots, the recoil, etc. It just happened and I know how Merlin and hiswife must feel. I'm sure he and his wife realizes that it was a mistake to take a gun out that she has never shot before. For all we know Merlin and his wife could hold college degree's, be a PhD, or whatever. I find it bad that they were jumped on and called "irresponsible and ignorant" Futhermore I do believe Merlins post does do somebody some good, maybe someone else will see this and think "hey maybe I'd better shoot this gun" before the season opens. I just don't think it's right to bash someone in a public forum, this is a forum where you have the ability send someone a private message if you so desire.