Rule #3 - Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it before firing

[HunterFisher]

Firearm Safety Rule #3
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it before firing.

Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division and Fish & Wildlife Division, with the assistance of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, are continuing the investigation into Wednesday morning's hunter-involved shooting that resulted in a non-life threatening injury to an 11-year old boy waiting for a school bus in Merlin, Oregon. The names of the boy and the involved shooter will be released Thursday.

Preliminary information indicates on October 26, 2011 at approximately 8:15 a.m. an 11-year old Merlin-area boy was waiting at a school bus stop with another boy at the intersection of Russell Road and Hartsfield Road when the 11-year old boy was shot in the leg. The injured boy made it back to his house on his own power where he contacted his mother.

Josephine County Sheriff's Office deputies and AMR ambulance responded to the home. The boy was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Community Hospital for treatment of a leg wound.

A 45-year old man, who lives across the road from where the boy was shot, contacted deputies after they arrived on scene. The man told deputies he was in his home when he saw a deer in the front part of his property and shot four times, killing the deer. After learning of the boy's injury, the man told deputies he thought one of the rounds may have struck the boy whom he did not see in the background less than 100 yards from his house.

OSP responded to conduct the investigation and has seized the 30/30 rifle as evidence. The investigation is ongoing and will be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office for review and consideration of any charges

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Hunter-involved-shooting-injures-11-year-old-at/6W228orwO0Cw3BBCL-j7Kg.cspx

[DWP]

Not good. For the boy or for hunters everywhere...   

[FC]

WOW! What a frikking idiot! Every time I raise sights I look at what is in the background BEFORE aiming! I wonder how he would feel about the kid just taking a few random potshots at him with a bb gun? I bet he would flip!

[pianoman9701]

the names -

The 11-year-old Merlin boy who was shot in the leg while waiting for his school bus Wednesday morning has been identified, along with the 45-year-old man who told deputies he thought he accidentally struck the boy while hunting a deer.

Ulises Uriel Hernandez was waiting at a school bus stop with another boy at the intersection of Russell Road and Hartsfield Lane when he was hit about 8:15 a.m., said Sgt. Lynn Withers of Oregon State Police. Ulises went back to his house and told his mother.

Deputies and emergency workers responded and took Ulises to Three Rivers Community Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition.

Darren D. Green, who lives across the street from where the boy was shot, told deputies he shot and killed a deer on his property that morning, and thought one of the four rounds he fired might have struck Ulises.

Green said he didn't see the boy, who was standing less than 100 yards away from the house, officials said.

State police are investigating the incident and seized a rifle as evidence. The Josephine County district attorney's office would decide on any charges once the investigation was complete, Withers said.

[kenzmad]

depending on the terrain and forest density, I can see how this can happen. we all try to make sure of what is behind our target, but how far can you see? If you hunt the wetside you may not be able to see 30 feet into the brush behind the animal. how about that other hunter that is 100 yards through the woods. I honestly don't see how this type of shooting doesn't happen more often. good that the boy is ok. I'm sure the neighbor feels like crap

[FC]

Most people's front yard "fronts" on a road, I don't shoot towards close proximity roads myself.

[kenzmad]

google earth shows some large lots that sit back a ways off the road. still shouldn't be shooting towards the road.

[dreamunelk]

4 shots to kill a deer less than a 100 yards away?

[pianoman9701]

depending on the terrain and forest density, I can see how this can happen. we all try to make sure of what is behind our target, but how far can you see? If you hunt the wetside you may not be able to see 30 feet into the brush behind the animal. how about that other hunter that is 100 yards through the woods. I honestly don't see how this type of shooting doesn't happen more often. good that the boy is ok. I'm sure the neighbor feels like crap

Um, no. Not only that, but this guy lived here and knows what was beyond his target - other people's homes and children. Sorry, you just failed hunter's safety.

[kenzmad]

depending on the terrain and forest density, I can see how this can happen. we all try to make sure of what is behind our target, but how far can you see? If you hunt the wetside you may not be able to see 30 feet into the brush behind the animal. how about that other hunter that is 100 yards through the woods. I honestly don't see how this type of shooting doesn't happen more often. good that the boy is ok. I'm sure the neighbor feels like crap

Um, no. Not only that, but this guy lived here and knows what was beyond his target - other people's homes and children. Sorry, you just failed hunter's safety.

looking at the map, there are definately lots of areas where shooting a firearm is probably safe. I am not sure which house is his but the intersection is where the article said it took place. my statement above had to do with hunting in the woods. how many times have you run into another hunter out there. at some point i am sure, we have all had an animal between ourself and another hunter. I'm okay with not passing your hunter ed course

[pianoman9701]

4 shots to kill a deer less than a 100 yards away?

Actually, the boy was less than 100 yards away, the deer was between the boy and the shooter. 

I don't care what property the shooter was standing in, he shot a high-powered rifle in the general direction of two different roads and hit someone.

This is how firearm restricted areas are born.

Yep, cull him from the herd!

[passing-thru]

Although I agree this was a preventable.and tragic occurrence,  I have to give credit to the shooter coming forward and admitting his mistake.

[pianoman9701]

Although I agree this was a preventable.and tragic occurrence,  I have to give credit to the shooter coming forward and admitting his mistake.

Aboslutely, you're right about that.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Pretty obvious the dip sheet was shooting toward the road 

[AOD]

the boy hopefully is ok.....but did the deer survive this magazine emptying volley of gunfire?