What do you do when somebody points a gun at you?

[pianoman9701]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Because cover against getting shot by an idiot it what's needed immediately. Unless you are dealing with a psychopath who's actually trying to shoot you, which is highly unlikely, you could turn what amounts to a stupid move on the part of the idiot with a rifle into a fully blown exchange of gunfire. That would be a ridiculous escalation of the situation, when protecting yourself first, making your presence and your dissatisfaction known, and collecting the necessary info to have the authorities contact him is what's needed to keep it from ever happening again.

Fair enough but if I feel I need to find cover wouldn't I also be under the assumption that he is going to shoot?

So escalate instead of diffuse? Not me. If he started shooting and continued, maybe. This isn't combat, though. This is a stupid hunter. Way different. Maybe not less lethal, but way different. I've been shot at. It was a mistake and it ended with his one shot until we got the police involved. I don't believe he hunted again. Not sure.

[huntingaddiction]

1.  Immediately get cover and determine if the person pointing the rifle is a threat or just an idiot who forgot or disregards firearm safety rule #1.
2. If they are a threat, I become a threat to them.
3. If not a threat and just an idiot, take steps to confront them in a non threatening, courteous and adult manner.  Express my concerns and educate them in proper firearm safety.
Their response to my confrontation will determine my next steps... either involve law enforcement or hope that I have educated them properly.  If I witness the same behavior from them a 2nd time, I will immediately involve law enforcement.

I think this is the best answer yet.  However that decision may have to come quick.  I feel that you have to assume the worst.  I am not saying shoot them by any means, but most definitely prepare yourself. 

[jackelope]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Because cover against getting shot by an idiot it what's needed immediately. Unless you are dealing with a psychopath who's actually trying to shoot you, which is highly unlikely, you could turn what amounts to a stupid move on the part of the idiot with a rifle into a fully blown exchange of gunfire. That would be a ridiculous escalation of the situation, when protecting yourself first, making your presence and your dissatisfaction known, and collecting the necessary info to have the authorities contact him is what's needed to keep it from ever happening again.

Fair enough but if I feel I need to find cover wouldn't I also be under the assumption that he is going to shoot?

Finding cover is the priority.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Probably not the best response, but if they are too far to hear what I'm yelling clearly, I flip them the bird.  I have never been worried that it's a psycho, but unfortunately the hunter dumber than a box of rocks is too common in our ranks. 

[huntingaddiction]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Because cover against getting shot by an idiot it what's needed immediately. Unless you are dealing with a psychopath who's actually trying to shoot you, which is highly unlikely, you could turn what amounts to a

So escalate instead of diffuse? Not me. If he started shooting and continued, maybe. This isn't combat, though. This is a stupid hunter. Way different. Maybe not less lethal, but way different. I've been shot at. It was a mistake and it ended with his one shot until we got the police involved. I don't believe he hunted again. Not sure.

What if the area was known for meth?  Does that change the way you see thing?  Just wondering?

[JimmyHoffa]

Probably not the best response, but if they are too far to hear what I'm yelling clearly, I flip them the bird.  I have never been worried that it's a psycho, but unfortunately the hunter dumber than a box of rocks is too common in our ranks.

I figure the same, just add in that they've probably been drinking and using drugs.  Usually it's guys climbing out of a truck, scoping and peeing.  Most of the time they are off-hand and unless they were match shooters couldn't hit house at 300 off hand, so plenty of time to just move into some cover/concealment.

[Jpmiller]

I wouldn't say anything.

Maybe wave and see if they wave back.

Continue on hunt.

Not post on HUNTWA

but that's just me......................

can I ask why?  I think this is a good conversation to have.  Accidents happen because people don't think even though they know better.  Honestly the coversation needs to happen because it is NEVER ok to pint a gun at somebody with the exception of defending yourself.  So sorry I am going to say something.  This is unacceptable behavior and we should not stay quiet about.

I'm used to having rifles pointed at me and I don't think being scoped is that big of deal.

I certainly wouldn't flip out over it.

Not a big deal? I would like to hear an expansion of that opinion. I can't imagine a scenario where it is not a big deal.

[BGLEMIN]

Thank God the idiot didn't take you for a skylined, standing bear!!!

[BGLEMIN]

Scoping to glass - poor muzzle control - definitely an idiot.

[jay.sharkbait]

I wouldn't say anything.

Maybe wave and see if they wave back.

Continue on hunt.

Not post on HUNTWA

but that's just me......................

can I ask why?  I think this is a good conversation to have.  Accidents happen because people don't think even though  they know better.  Honestly the coversation needs to happen because it is NEVER ok to pint a gun at somebody with the exception of defending yourself.  So sorry I am going to say something.  This is unacceptable behavior and we should not stay quiet about.

I'm used to having rifles pointed at me and I don't think being scoped is that big of deal.

I certainly wouldn't flip out over it.

Not a big deal? I would like to hear an expansion of that opinion. I can't imagine a scenario where it is not a big deal.

Nope, not a big deal and I am not willing to go over the reasons why I (emphasis on I) feel that way.

Besides, I've seen how most hunters shoot and I doubt most could hit a man size target at 100yd offhand.

[huntingaddiction]

I wouldn't say anything.

Maybe wave and see if they wave back.

Continue on hunt.

Not post on HUNTWA

but that's just me......................

can I ask why?  I think this is a good conversation to have.  Accidents happen because people don't think even though  they know better.  Honestly the coversation needs to happen because it is NEVER ok to pint a gun at somebody with the exception of defending yourself.  So sorry I am going to say something.  This is unacceptable behavior and we should not stay quiet about.

I'm used to having rifles pointed at me and I don't think being scoped is that big of deal.

I certainly wouldn't flip out over it.

Not a big deal? I would like to hear an expansion of that opinion. I can't imagine a scenario where it is not a big deal.

Nope, not a big deal and I am not willing to go over the reasons why I (emphasis on I) feel that way.

Besides, I've seen how most hunters shoot and I doubt most could hit a man size target at 100yd offhand.

I am not normal man sized.  I dhot a bear at 150 off hand on monday night.  You have a lot of confidence.  I know a lot of veterans that would have freaked out worse than I did.  It is scary that it wouldn't bother you.

[pianoman9701]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Because cover against getting shot by an idiot it what's needed immediately. Unless you are dealing with a psychopath who's actually trying to shoot you, which is highly unlikely, you could turn what amounts to a

So escalate instead of diffuse? Not me. If he started shooting and continued, maybe. This isn't combat, though. This is a stupid hunter. Way different. Maybe not less lethal, but way different. I've been shot at. It was a mistake and it ended with his one shot until we got the police involved. I don't believe he hunted again. Not sure.

What if the area was known for meth?  Does that change the way you see thing?  Just wondering?

What if, what if? Tweekers don't normally walk around the woods with rifles aiming at people. I could be wrong here but I've never heard of a tweeker shooting someone in the woods with a rifle from 100 yards. What if it were a PTSD combat vet, or a Muslim terrorist, or a bored rich kid, or an eco terrorist trying to save Bambi? It's not. It's a stupid hunter. If you get behind cover and he shoots and continues shooting, you know it's a more serious problem

[ghosthunter]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Prepare to defend yourself? I think the odds of a hunter intentionally attempting to shoot another hunter are very small. I'd prefer to put all my efforts initially into removing myself from the threat.

I don't know . Not to long ago we had a hunter shoot a hiker intentionally thinking she was a bear.
Scoping is covered in every hunter ed class. No reason for it.

[JDHasty]

RT, your blood pressure. Check it!

He is right though.

It makes me crazy and he is right. But, you can't aim back or shoot back. Taking cover, yelling, and getting information on the culprits are all important, in that order.

Why would you not prepare to defend yourself?  Serious question here.  Just wondering, like I said I got ready and prepared for the worst but never actually aimed.

Prepare to defend yourself? I think the odds of a hunter intentionally attempting to shoot another hunter are very small. I'd prefer to put all my efforts initially into removing myself from the threat.

I don't know . Not to long ago we had a hunter shoot a hiker intentionally thinking she was a bear.
Scoping is covered in every hunter ed class. No reason for it.

If convicted it should result in loss of hunting privilege until Hunter Education has been repeated and passed. 

[seth30]

I bet they have read this post by now   Hope they really change their ways as not everyone you point at with a gun is as level headed as you were