I'm 47 years old and I've never killed anything which could be considered a trophy by most people. My largest deer only had 6 points and I've never hunted elk, moose or caribou. The one thing that I have had happen to me was my best friend was shot and almost killed by another hunter, by someone in our group no less. I truely hopethat none of you ever have to experience what I did that day, no animal is worth comprimising the safety of anyone. I was with my best friend Vinny, several years after his accidentwhen I shot that 6 point buck, that's a true trophy. I know that all of you feel that you're safe hunters but it wouldn't hurt all of us to revisit the rules taught to us during hunter safety class. How many of us at one time or another forgot our binoculars and used a riflescope to check out a noise or movement? Has anyone taken the safety off before POSITIVELY identifying the animal as one that you're going to shoot? Does everyone unloaded their weapon everytime beforeclimbing a tree, handing their gun to a partner, crossing a creek or fence? I don't know what this kids father was thinking before he shot him but I do know that the kid wasn't dressed in a gobbler suit. If you think carefully about it, hunter orange clothing would be unnecessary if everyone followed safe hunting practices.
I appologize for rambling and I'll get off of my soapbox now, this subject just hits a sore spot with me.....Mike