No excuse for it. We're out there to hunt, but under the umbrella of safety. If a person isn't 100% sure of the target just pointing a weapon at it is disturbing enough.
I had 2 very foolish women on horses come into my scope last year. They weren't allowed in the area and to make matters worse stepped into a lane I'd seen a very nice buck minutes before. I heard a snort, raised the gun, looked down the scope, saw brown and waited for conformation only to see the head of a horse. I was shaking as these 2 idiots came by me smiling saying out loud how they could see me. My response was short and to the point "I saw you". Still disturbs me greatly.
Fortunately for me and those 2 women I shot a friend with a toy bow as a kid of about ten. The memory still haunts me. The kid suffered no injuries even though I hit him square in the back of the head, right where I was aiming. Kidding around I'd pointed the arrow at him and muttered some words, my vision went black all around except for the center of the target, unconsciously I loosed the arrow and saw it in slow motion fly straight and true. I know what happens when the brain starts to bear down on something. Unless a voice in your head starts screaming STOP, ya wont. I have a different O of kids being allowed to play with toy guns and bows as you can imagine. Saves lives in my book.
Make 100% sure of the target before beginning the shot and pray for a very loud voice in your head that constantly warns of danger. This kid obviously was not sure of his target and never should have begun the shot.
My sympathy for all involved.
Last edited by nodog; 10-03-2009 at 08:34 AM.