There is absolutely no excuse for shooting a human being in mistake for game. I fully realize that bullets ricochet and that they travel much farther than one could think, but to shoot someone in mistake for game is a conscious decision.

If the individual had been driving a car and did something that dumb, he would be charged with manslaughter or homicide by motor vehicle. I think such a charge would be appropriate in cases where a guy shoots first and identifies his target later. With a felony conviction, he would never be allowed to own a gun again. We don' t need this type of person hunting in the woods with us.

I am sure there will be some who will use the old, " There but for the grace of God, go I." , excuse, but it doesn' t hold water. The people who shoot another human being in mistake for game are not ethical hunters. They are careless and could give a crapola less for anything other than killing a deer or a turkey. If there was a real penalty, such as jail time and the loss of the right to own firearms and hunt, perhaps they might think a bit more before taking the safety off. I think it is worth a try. For those who think this is just a bit more creeping gun control, think again. The framers of the constitution saw a difference between honest citizens and criminals. In my mind, a person who shoots another person in mistake for game is just as much of a criminal as the one who poaches.