© By Othmar Vohringer
It makes me cringe each time I learn of a hunting accident, especially those that occur because of mistaken identity. Last week two “mistaken identity” accidents occurred on opening day of the spring turkey hunting season in Indiana.
In the first case 55-year old David Iron of Cicero mistook his brother, 35-year old Brian Iron of Noblesville, for a turkey. According to the investigating conservation officer, the shooter fired his shotgun at his brother. The pellets hit the victims face and chest. The accident occurred in Morgan Monroe State Forest north of Bloomington. Because of the remote area it took rescuers several hours to find the injured man and move him from the forest my hand and off-road vehicle to the waiting Life Line Helicopter that took him to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Meanwhile, in Orange County, Jesse W. Boyle, age 26, was shot at by his father-in-law, 49-year-old Gerlad D.Walton. The men had been hunting near each other when the father-in-law was heading to meet his hunting partner. He saw movement from behind a tree and discharged his shotgun, injuring Boyle in the face, neck and on the shoulder. The victim has been transported to the University of Louisville Hospital where he is been treated.
These accidents could have been avoided if the hunters would have taken their due time to make absolutely sure that what see is indeed a turkey and not a human. I understand that at times buck fever or in this case tom fever can rattle us, but there never ever should be any reason not knowing what you’re shooting at.
Be careful out there and before you bring up your gun make absolutely sure you identified the target. As my father used to say, “You can reverse every decision you make in your life with one exception. When you decide to pull that trigger it cannot be reversed or changed. You just played God and will have to live, for good or worse, for the rest of your life with that decision.” Think about that when you’re out in the turkey woods.
2 comments:
They probably could have been avoided by simple knowing that if you see a 150+ pound turkey you should RUN LIKE HELL vs shoot at it. Both of these men were likely way bigger targets than your average tom turkey.
Steve @ Hunting Guides
Congratulations to this blog for making the top 10 on Steve's list. This is even my number 1. Never mind the turkey. Accidents do happen. That's the exciting part of hunting. You'll never know what is coming. How old is this blog anyway?
thanks,
J. Harp
writer @ camping tents for sale
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