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Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: 509er on December 10, 2009, 07:06:42 PM


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Title: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: 509er on December 10, 2009, 07:06:42 PM
MISHAP: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer
MOSES LAKE -- A Moses Lake hunter is at a Spokane hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the face with a shotgun, authorities said.

Mitchell P. King, 43, of Moses Lake, was pheasant hunting with friends when he apparently shot himself with his shotgun, said Grant County Undersheriff John Turley.

The incident happened around 12:40 p.m. Friday, Turley said. No information about it was released until today because of the ongoing investigation, he said.

King and two friends were hunting in the area of Road U Northeast, about 10 miles east of Moses Lake, Turley said.

King’s friend said he heard a shot, then saw King falling backward. His semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun was between his legs, Turley said.

Investigators suspect the gun fired when King put it between his legs as he was ringing the neck of a pheasant he just shot or was congratulating his hunting dog, which may have accidentally made contact with the trigger.

The blast hit King on the left side of his body, beginning at his hunting vest, and traveled along the left side of his face and head, Turley said.

King was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake then transferred to a Spokane hospital, where earlier this week he was said to be in stable condition stable in the critical care unit.

— Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: Schmalzfam on December 10, 2009, 07:10:46 PM
I hope he is ok soon, poor guy.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: Birdguy on December 10, 2009, 08:23:41 PM
WOW! What an awful way to spend the holidays. Good reminder to the rest of us and those we hunt with about muzzle control. I just read this story to my kids, followed by a few minutes of serious talk. Hope he heals up quick.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: ICEMAN on December 10, 2009, 08:31:00 PM
Wow, another mishap. Hope he survives his injury.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: huntncoug on December 10, 2009, 10:19:19 PM
Wow, lead five or sixes would have too do some serious damage at point blank range.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: washelkhntr on December 10, 2009, 10:19:57 PM
 :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: TEX-X on December 10, 2009, 10:22:31 PM
what the hell?  that's crazy
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: shoot-em-dead on December 10, 2009, 10:24:09 PM
Sad to hear bad news like this but it is a great reminder as to why firearms saftey is so important.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: sako223 on December 10, 2009, 10:58:36 PM
This guy will be scarred for life and have to live with the shame of it too. Don't know anything about him but wonder if he ever went to firearm safety. His age says maybe no. I believe everyone should go and get a refresher every so often.
Getting shot is the wrong last sign but a huge warning to the rest of us.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: jordano on December 11, 2009, 12:14:45 AM
wow... truely unfortunate. but just like the rest of you are saying. a great reminder to ALWAYS know whereyour barrel is pointed!!! always, always, always!!! hope he is alright and please everyone be safe out there!!!!
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: 509er on December 11, 2009, 03:52:46 PM
Just goes to show you how things can go from great to horrible in a blink of an eye.  Sure hope he recovers alright.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: follow maggie on December 12, 2009, 06:19:20 PM
Wow- it only takes a second.  He had probably done that a thousand times before.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: shorthair-on-point on December 23, 2009, 02:06:04 PM
The guy was/is an airline pilot. He was an experienced hunter.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: Dustin07 on December 28, 2009, 10:45:42 AM
hopefully this sparks conversation with a lot of local children and dad's/mom's to teach them gun saftey. sometimes tragedies help us learn better... how bad was the blast to his face, will he lose his jaw/eye or did he get lucky?


its scary because even those of us who think they are extremly careful to the point of being rediculous can have a lapse of judgement. Its important to stay humble with gun saftey 24/7.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: bearpaw on January 01, 2010, 08:30:16 PM
Sorry to hear, I bet the dog hit the trigger with a foot, hope he comes out OK.
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: gadwall on January 03, 2010, 06:51:03 PM
Sad to hear bad news like this but it is a great reminder as to why firearms saftey is so important.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Moses Lake bird hunter accidentally shoots himself
Post by: fethrduster on January 14, 2010, 06:12:18 AM
This is one reason why I don't shoot autos or pumps anymore.  Most double guns have automatic safeties.  What a horrible accident.  Poor guy.
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