Had a family member get shot in the face while hunting this morning. Still getting all the details but he's alive. From what I can gather the other hunter either shot at his decoy and he was in line or he thought he was a turkey. This should never happen
Wow just wow. That's terrible. Prayers for the man shot and his family
Thoughts and prayers to the family...
Please keep us updated... I am sure you are curious as we are, as to how something like this could happen.
Most activities we live and learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately when dealing with guns, a small mistake can have huge consequences... And because of such, there really are no "small" mistakes when it comes to gun safety.
I hope the hunter will be ok.
No excuse. Period! The shooter should face charges and lose the right to own or possess a firearm.
They should charge people for these "accidents". It's not an accident to shoot someone! People need to stop sneaking up on dekes or sounds n learn to call birds. Hope they got the guy n take his license!
Also wanna offer prayers
Wow.here is Ontario if you can't see s beard you can't shoot and it still happens ever year. It is a shame.and is something that should never happen. Best if luck to you friend. Dutch
Prayers up.
Quote from: Bowguy on April 30, 2016, 04:29:02 PM
They should charge people for these "accidents". It's not an accident to shoot someone! People need to stop sneaking up on dekes or sounds n learn to call birds. Hope they got the guy n take his license!
Also wanna offer prayers
I agree. I still don't know how one mistakes decoys as the real thing. When I have walked in on others setups on accident, I can always tell that they aren't real. Look for them to move naturally. I have yet to see a decoy that did. Prayers sent for your family member and all of his family. God Bless.
I hate to hear about this. As others have said there is no excuse for this happening. You absolutely have to know what you are shooting at.
Will be praying for him and his family.
That is really tragic and should never happen. Prayers sent.
No animal is worth taking someone's life over. Period.
We all have the responsibility of knowing our target and what lies beyond.
I have hunted since I was a teenager, and only within the last few years hunted wild turkey. I have come upon many setups and it is obvious that it's a decoy spread.
When I hunt, I treat every hen yelp as though it's another hunter, until I have visual confirmation, to the contrary.
These things should never, ever happen, and I agree with Ronnie. If you wound or kill another hunter, you should loose your right to own firearms, never mind hunt ever again.
More prayers on the way...
Sorry to hear man and hopefully ding dong responsible is charged accordingly. I can't understand ever, shooting at something when you aren't sure what it is.
Ok guys so this is what happened. He was huntin private land. Had a group of three hunters come in behind him and he didn't know it. As he was WALKING OUT one of the guys shot him straight on in the face and chest from 30 yds. I can't for the life of me understand how you would mistake a grown man walking for a turkey. Good new is he is going to make it. He's eat up with pellets but alive. No vital organs penetrated. I'll be wearing orange from now on when waking in and out. Thanks for the prayers everyone. Stay safe
I hope he's okay and i hope it never happens to anyone else..At my place we have a hunting sign in sheet and we have the farm divided up into 6 different areas to turkey hunt, whatever area you pick that morning is up to first come on the sign in sheet. We know not to come over on someone else or that area..
This is a very bad situation. As stated, not real sure how someone mistakes a walking man for a turkey. As for someone shooting a decoy, I can totally see how it happens. Decoys are more lifelike today than ever before. Someone is walking along, sees a strutter as they turn the corner and the brain goes on autopilot. If the hunter is concealed well, the shooter has no clue that he was even there. It happens. It's sad but it happens. Not saying it's right. Not saying it can't be avoided but I can see where it happens. It's a shame for sure. Very sorry to hear of the negligent act. I hope he makes a full recovery.
Last week an Iowa hunter was shot in the face by a member of his own hunting party.
He didn't live. :jesus-cross:
Dang, thought I was bad for shooting a jake instead of a tom. Hope he recovers well and hope people learn from it and think twice before shooting
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Decoys look like real turkeys. Those strutter decoys look a lot like the real thing.
But a man looks nothing like a turkey; thats terrible.
:mycross:
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on April 30, 2016, 06:54:35 PM
Decoys look like real turkeys. Those strutter decoys look a lot like the real thing.
That's true but irrelevant if guys don't stalk sounds n learn to call
Quote from: Fieldturkey on April 30, 2016, 06:27:37 PM
Ok guys so this is what happened. He was huntin private land. Had a group of three hunters come in behind him and he didn't know it. As he was WALKING OUT one of the guys shot him straight on in the face and chest from 30 yds. I can't for the life of me understand how you would mistake a grown man walking for a turkey. Good new is he is going to make it. He's eat up with pellets but alive. No vital organs penetrated. I'll be wearing orange from now on when waking in and out. Thanks for the prayers everyone. Stay safe
Prayer going out to him!!! That had to hurt terrible.. Whom ever shot him can't be in there right mind. No way!!! I am very sorry to hear this and hope he heals up quick. I also hope that the person who did this gets what they have coming!
Was this in PA?
30 yards and someone mistook him for a turkey? Sounds far fetched and "someone" sounds like they need to go before a judge.
Accidents happen but this is to crazy.
It is crazy to say the least. Game wardens were there when with the paramedics when he got out and at the hospital when he arrived. We will see what happens
Quote from: wvmntnhick on April 30, 2016, 06:35:39 PM
As for someone shooting a decoy, I can totally see how it happens. Decoys are more lifelike today than ever before. Someone is walking along, sees a strutter as they turn the corner and the brain goes on autopilot. If the hunter is concealed well, the shooter has no clue that he was even there. It happens. It's sad but it happens. Not saying it's right. Not saying it can't be avoided but I can see where it happens. It's a shame for sure. Very sorry to hear of the negligent act. I hope he makes a full recovery.
Yes, those decoys are extremely realistic... A little breeze giving motion to one of those realistic decoys and I think a good percentage of hunters might take that shot...
I was watching my Avian jake in the breeze, and it struck me how realistic it was. I could easily see someone making a split decision/mistake on one of these decoys, especially with a breeze and some movement.
I am generally hunting private property (that nobody else should be hunting), but I am still careful when setting up my jake. I try to set up my decoys, so that they are not lined up with the direction that someone would most likely walk in from.
I would advocate that muzzle control and target identification are the two most important aspects of gun and hunting safety. The shooter and the person being shot have to live the rest of their lives with any mistakes.
Quote from: Marc on May 01, 2016, 12:28:20 AM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on April 30, 2016, 06:35:39 PM
As for someone shooting a decoy, I can totally see how it happens. Decoys are more lifelike today than ever before. Someone is walking along, sees a strutter as they turn the corner and the brain goes on autopilot. If the hunter is concealed well, the shooter has no clue that he was even there. It happens. It's sad but it happens. Not saying it's right. Not saying it can't be avoided but I can see where it happens. It's a shame for sure. Very sorry to hear of the negligent act. I hope he makes a full recovery.
Yes, those decoys are extremely realistic... A little breeze giving motion to one of those realistic decoys and I think a good percentage of hunters might take that shot...
I was watching my Avian jake in the breeze, and it struck me how realistic it was. I could easily see someone making a split decision/mistake on one of these decoys, especially with a breeze and some movement.
I am generally hunting private property (that nobody else should be hunting), but I am still careful when setting up my jake. I try to set up my decoys, so that they are not lined up with the direction that someone would most likely walk in from.
I would advocate that muzzle control and target identification are the two most important aspects of gun and hunting safety. The shooter and the person being shot have to live the rest of their lives with any mistakes.
This is absolutely true,...and in my opinion, the use of gobbler decoys in situations where the hunter does not have a long, clear view of what lies directly on the other side of their decoy is putting themselves in the most dangerous situation in turkey hunting. For those of you that use them, NEVER set your decoy such that you cannot see everything going on within shotgun range directly down-range from your decoy.
Very sorry and prayers sent. Hope he recovers well physically and emotionally too. Think about the trauma of getting shot - praying that ends quickly.
30 yards? Charges should be filed.
Prayers for the family .... I know your pain and your confusion as My father was shot in the face by his best friend while turkey hunting years back. Dad was calling, sitting at the base of an oak tree, his friend hear the sound and shot....that is where dumb met dumber...never ever shoot at sound...dad saw him raise his shotgun, yep he was that close....and threw his arm up in time to cover most of his face, but lost his left eye and peppered his left side of his face something bad. His friend come running and screaming..not out of excitement of a downed bird, but out of fear in that he just shot his best friend....dad told him he was alright except that he couldn't see out of his eye, at that moment his friend took and wrapped his shotgun around the oak tree ....and vowed never to go hunting again. Dad told him to get a grip and take him the the doctor.... after everything settled down, they ended up going the next season ... dad called...Gene watched....bird came ...Gene shot...dad jumped up and hugged him and they remained friends till they both passed.
I can't imagine how that's possible. I sometimes use a strutter decoy and NEVER carry it unless it's zipped in a bag. I also make sure I never have anything along that is blue, red, or white. Maybe I'm paranoid? All that aside, best of wishes and prayers to the hunter that got shot. :cross2:
No excuse. First rule of hunting is identify your target before you pull the trigger. No exceptions!!
OMG---prayers for the hunter that got shot. Everyone is right- this should never happen. I just keep thinking to myself- whatever I see or hear could be another hunter. I almost got shot in the Fall woods many years ago. I was just walking along very slowly and stated on down a ridge and there was another hunter on his belly- military style with shotgun pointed at me as I came over the ridge and into sight. TG- he held off. He was shook up too and we quickly left each other!
I've seen some real idiots out in the woods. Sorry to hear of this. Hope your family member is going to be OK.
What a shame... Just don't understand how there could even be a case of mistaken identity between a man walking and a turkey especially at 30 yards.
Sorry to hear about your family member and we wish him a quick recovery.....................Several years ago here close to home there was a guy that shot his buddy,with a bow , because he thought he was a turkey.Sadly that young man didnt make it.
I personally know 4 guys who have been shot while turkey hunting. One fellow got shot, dropped behind a log and yelled, and then got shot again! Another fellow still has a few shot lodged real close to his heart. He was shot at 20 yards while wearing an orange hat! I love this sport but there is never a day in the woods that stuff like this isn't in the back of my mind. I will never be able to understand how a man can be mistaken for a turkey.
So sorry to hear this and prayers sent for a speedy and full recovery. Keep us posted as the details unfold.
I take a fair amount of young hunters and like me when I was young the adrenaline builds to an almost unbearable level when you "think" you here something walking in... I have had kids completely shaking and breathing like a locomotive. Its tough to even calm them down but I make it perfectly clear that they are not to shoot until I give the word period.
Again , prayers sent and so glad he has made it so far!
Can't understand it but it still happens. Hope your friend is alright.
Prayers sent out to him. It amazes me how desperate some guys are to come home with a gobbler. It's a wonder anybody survives a shot from these hard hitting, tight shooting guns these days.
Scary stuff. Happens far too often. Prayers for you and yours.
Prayers sent
Quote from: Farmboy27 on May 01, 2016, 08:17:08 PM
I personally know 4 guys who have been shot while turkey hunting. One fellow got shot, dropped behind a log and yelled, and then got shot again! Another fellow still has a few shot lodged real close to his heart. He was shot at 20 yards while wearing an orange hat! I love this sport but there is never a day in the woods that stuff like this isn't in the back of my mind. I will never be able to understand how a man can be mistaken for a turkey.
[/quote
If you can get shot at close range while wearing an orange hat, there's not much more you can do to protect yourself short of staying home or give up hunting! Having said all of that, I don't plan to stay home or give up hunting, but I've made myself a note for next spring to put an orange hat in my turkey gear to wear both IN and OUT of the turkey woods.
Prayers sent for a full recovery. No excuse in not identifying the target before shooting, period. I'd suspect there is more to the story such as the shooter heard walking coming to calling (not saying he heard the calling), seeing the flesh color of the hunter's face maybe coming up over a rise through cover. Again, no excuse for shooting without identifying the target. The lesson here for all of us should be even on private land another unknown hunter is subject to showing up with a loaded weapon.
And, I've had a run in with an unethical hunter the last two seasons near Fairforest rifle range in South Carolina on public land. The jack leg stalks gobbling toms (and hunters hen calling) and has no problem walking right in front of you (in sight) stalking toms. Drives a burgandy dodge 4 door type pickup with a bed cover same color, it's a Dakota I believe. That fellow is the type you expect to get shot, not someone walking out of the woods on private land.
Foolish!! Just plain foolish, no excuse what so ever for something like this to ever happen. I have yet to see a 6 foot tall wild turkey wearing camo while hunting. All hunting rights and privileges should be revoked and this individual should be made to speak to hunter education classes for the remainder of his life about what he did and how foolish and stupid and careless it was.
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THERES NO EXCUSE
I HOPE EVERYTHING ENDS UP WELL
:bible:
Very sorry to hear about this. My Prayers and Wishes for fast recovery. Spring Turkey hunting is to me the most exciting hunting season of the year. An opportunity to share great stories and exciting hunts. However there are times when there are stories of hunters getting shot (and it happens every year unfortunately) that brings us back to how important it is to identify your target no excuses! Safety is the utmost priority no spring gobbler no matter how long his beard, or how long his spurs are is worth taking an unethical shot period.
Hunt Safely and be champions to safety to other turkey hunters it can not be talked about enough.
Quote from: THattaway on May 02, 2016, 09:05:49 AM
And, I've had a run in with an unethical hunter the last two seasons near Fairforest rifle range in South Carolina on public land. The jack leg stalks gobbling toms (and hunters hen calling) and has no problem walking right in front of you (in sight) stalking toms. Drives a burgandy dodge 4 door type pickup with a bed cover same color, it's a Dakota I believe. That fellow is the type you expect to get shot, not someone walking out of the woods on private land.
But his actions are legal so who are we to judge how he hunts,
no excuses for that, beyond an accident that's attempted murder as far as I'm concerned
On a side not this reaping craze is insane people stalking birds with fans infront of their faces, it horrifying how dangerous that is and they glorify it as a "secret" weapon tactic on TV. Its legal and its moronic, I feel strongly because my father does it and I am truly afraid he will be shot doing this, nothing to do with old school blah blah blah its just simply not safe for the individual.
Hunter mistaken for turkey, shot with crossbow
Associated Press 9:54 a.m. EDT May 2, 2016
635977793787058540-tURKEY-CROSSING-OHJY102.jpg
(Photo: AP)
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities say a 61-year-old Michigan hunter was shot in the arm with a crossbow after a fellow hunter apparently mistook him for a turkey.
The Jackson County sheriff's department says the man was shot early Sunday in the left arm while hunting on private land in Liberty Township. The Jackson Citizen Patriot reports he was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive.
The sheriff's department says the 51-year-old Jackson man who shot him is expected to face charges.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/05/02/hunter-mistaken-turkey-shot-crossbow/83817508/
very good wake up thread but sad, at least in the OP the victim survived
Quote from: silvestris on May 02, 2016, 09:30:24 AM
Quote from: THattaway on May 02, 2016, 09:05:49 AM
And, I've had a run in with an unethical hunter the last two seasons near Fairforest rifle range in South Carolina on public land. The jack leg stalks gobbling toms (and hunters hen calling) and has no problem walking right in front of you (in sight) stalking toms. Drives a burgandy dodge 4 door type pickup with a bed cover same color, it's a Dakota I believe. That fellow is the type you expect to get shot, not someone walking out of the woods on private land.
But his actions are legal so who are we to judge how he hunts,
That all depends. Here in PA his actions would not be legal as the law states "hunting by calling only, no stalking.
I think you had to wear orange at one time in PA too while moving. So lucky that the hunter didn't get hit in the eye with shot too.
Glad the victim in the OP is going to be alright. I'm honestly surprised it doesn't happen even more often. The eyes often see what the brain is telling them to see. Combine environmental factors with heightened adrenaline, and inexcusable accidents sometimes occur. Often, the responsible party would have agreed with all here saying "no excuse" had you asked him five minutes before the trigger was pulled.
Everyone is subject to falling victim (both as shooter and victim). And private land could make it worse. On public we expect to encounter other hunters. On private we often, wrongly, believe we are the only ones there because a property line says so. Most of us would be shocked to learn just how often poachers hunt on our exclusive private hunting spots. We would all do well to have a mindset of never thinking we are alone in the woods.
Quote from: silvestris on May 02, 2016, 09:30:24 AM
Quote from: THattaway on May 02, 2016, 09:05:49 AM
And, I've had a run in with an unethical hunter the last two seasons near Fairforest rifle range in South Carolina on public land. The jack leg stalks gobbling toms (and hunters hen calling) and has no problem walking right in front of you (in sight) stalking toms. Drives a burgandy dodge 4 door type pickup with a bed cover same color, it's a Dakota I believe. That fellow is the type you expect to get shot, not someone walking out of the woods on private land.
But his actions are legal so who are we to judge how he hunts,
Yes it's public land and yes he has a
right to hunt wherever he wants with a legal permit. I told him as much when I confronted him last season. I had been set up for an hour, heard him stalking me from behind so I froze till I could see him clearly stalking my hen decoy out front. I then spoke up in an audible voice and announced my presence. He left up a ridge and out of sight. 30 minutes later I called in a strutting tom to 80 yards and he folded up and left for no apparent reason. I gave it another 30 minutes of calling, got up and eased forward to try again. Found jack leg had crawled to a tree 75 yards directly in front of me through cane. I guess I was more upset that he had knowingly put himself in a position where I might have sprayed him had the tom come in. My comments to him were "you have every right to hunt here but know this...had you been in my shoes I would have gone the other way and left you be."
This year he walked up 15' behind me, I spoke again and nicely told him I was hunting the area. He just circled me and slipped further along the ridge I was on, a box out attempt. I walked along about 100 yards out for a ways till he got the message, flipped me off and headed out of the drainage. My right to hunt where I want I figure. After that I called in 4 jakes and to ease my ire I jumped up and ran them off across the bottoms. Who is he or you to judge my legal actions? LOL! Jack leg needs to get his own medicine so maybe he can better understand his actions.
FWIW, I've run up on several hunters in my time but it's been purely by accident. When I realized someone else was there, or heard hen calling I suspected was someone else, I WENT THE OTHER WAY. No turkey is worth getting shot over or shooting someone over.