Twisp hunting accident

[snake]

Gotta go in and try to help in that situation.

[MAVsled]

ok, this is my camping and hunting friend. We have camped and hunted together for several years. Our camp in in hte old horse meadow off Little bridge creek road, just past dry creek. The right turn and just past creek on right.
saturday Oct=20, we parked at locked gate off the forest road. I will not divulge his name but refer to him as Friend.

Friend was hunting above Canyon Creek drainage, off Little Bridge creek road. His 2 sons accompanying him, He took a nice 4x4 earlier that week. Other hunters showed up and I chose to drive my truck to a lower road to hunt.

another hunter walks up the road as they were settled in on stand. It was that early daylight, around 645-655, when you can just see without a headlamp or flashlight. Friend moved from behind a bush to signal the hunter on the road that they were there. the hunter on road pulled out his pistol and shot toward him with his 45acp pistol.
Friend was lucky to duck and turn but not fast enough. the bullet entered the back of his neck, exited to the side back of his left eye.
He was shuttled by LE car to the lower area where a chopper picked him up and off to Wenatchee General hospital.

i have never talked to or seen so many GW in my life. 6 showed up, all in their own vehicles, along with local sheriffs too. Gave my statement about hearing time of shot, visibility at that hour etc etc..

Friend survived, will lose hearing in left ear, vision blurry and only time will tell how much he can recover.
YES, they (Friend, 2 sons) all had hunter orange on vests and hats. More orange than this old hunter even wears.

[NOCK NOCK]

Wow that sucks. Keeping your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

[fishnfur]

It makes no sense.  You can't even imagine somebody drawing on you like that when your sitting out on stand. 

[bobcat]

Hopefully that person will never be allowed to hunt again.

[Birdguy]

Wow, that is terrible! What a tragedy, hope the victims comes through as quickly and as healthy as possible! Prayers to him and his family and friends effected. 

MAVsled, thank you for coming on and giving so much more information.

This action brings to mind the two point thread and KNOWING YOUR TARGET!!!!

[elkrack]

Unbelievable! Just shoot at a unknown object 

[MAVsled]

well, put on my reading glasses so I can type properly and read.

saw 2 different cougars in this area on this trip. One that was 20 min behind, trailing a doe/fawn that passed me by earlier. Puts me on alert but not scared or edgy.

but I don't understand in the pre-dawn light of just shooting at sound or movement. I have hunted this Twisp area for over 50 years, some strange stuff occurred to me too but nothing like this. Making me consider switching to full time archery. But archery hunters carry hand guns to...I do.
hunter/shooter on road must have been on edge in the semi pre dawn light....no excuses. at the  very least, I hope the shooter's license gets reviewed and pulled.

comforted his wife and sons briefly back at camp, before they left for Wenatchee General hospital. Watched over his camp and choc lab Booner as our other partners left Thursday. Friends family returned Sunday afternoon to pack up camp and dog Boone. to be honest, I cried my heart off on Saturday night.
I felt horrible, wish I had accompanied them up that morning instead of changing my mind from the other hunters that showed up, causing me to change my morning hunt plans.

[Southpole]

Hopefully that person will never be allowed to hunt again.

 
I’ve got lots to say but...

[MAVsled]

and that rescue helicopter flying up the canyon at 7:35am or so was LOUD.
as were the sirens going up the Twisp river road. LE was there until past 5pm, investigating the shooting area.

haven't slept well since Saturday. and my wife goes; "after all that, you are leaving for elk season on Thursday?!!!"
oh my, this old guy just can't give up my hunting.

hunt safe, be respectful and alert out there everyone. ALWAYS practice good firearm, hunting safety...ALWAYS.

[Southpole]

and that rescue helicopter flying up the canyon at 7:35am or so was LOUD.
as were the sirens going up the Twisp river road. LE was there until past 5pm, investigating the shooting area.

haven't slept well since Saturday. and my wife goes; "after all that, you are leaving for elk season on Thursday?!!!"
oh my, this old guy just can't give up my hunting.

hunt safe, be respectful and alert out there everyone. ALWAYS practice good firearm, hunting safety...ALWAYS.

Amen...

[MAVsled]

                 "ALWAYS practice good firearm, hunting safety...ALWAYS."

and if you don't know what this is or can't remember, take another firearm hunting safety course.
I took the WA certification when I was 10 years old

and just did the AZ cert 2 years ago....and still passed but the 99 out of 100 score bothered me. Miss read the question due to my eyesight at 60.
100% at age 10, at the West Seattle Dahl rifle range that used to be under West Seattle football stadium by golf course.

[boneaddict]

Thank you for sharing.   I hope your friend heals better than theynsay he will.   I also hope the shooter gets his. 

[Pnwrider]

Wow, I just got back from a week over there. Thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.

[salt n sage90]

MAV,

Thanks for the info. Hoping the best for your friend, his family, and his circle of friends affected. I can see how something like this can take the wind out of the sails. I haven't stopped thinking about the whole situation as well as the brief encounter I had with one son as he sped off for help. I must say under the circumstances he seemed to be a hero. I feel bad all I did was snap a picture of the remaining vehicle parked in case something foul was afoot. Thanks again.

Regards,

Dominic.