March 11, 2006
Man Down
I just found out that someone I know was shot in a hunting incident that sounds eerily like Vice President Cheney's accident with Harry Whittington several weeks ago.
I don't have all the facts, but apparently "E." had a successful quail hunt and swung by the club. He ran into another member and his son who wanted to go out, and being more experienced, he volunteered to take them.
They flushed the first bird, and the young man froze. They flushed a second bird and again the young man froze. I'm sure he was probably embarrassed, and when they flushed the third quail, he concentrated so hard...
He fired at the quail just as he swung into both E. and his own dad. His father took four or five birdshot without any serious injuries.
E. wasn't quite as lucky.
He took 44 birdshot to the right side of his face, including two in the right eye. One of those continued through his eye, into his brain. Miraculously, he wasn't killed. He'll find out later this week if they can repair his right eye. He could lose his sight. They'll also try to determine if they will need to remove the shot lodged in his brain, or if it is safer to let it remain where it is.
If any of my readers are praying folks, I'd ask you to say two prayers.
The first is for E. and his family, asking that E. has a full recovery. The second prayer is for this young man, who was only 12. He certainly meant no harm, and this is bound to have devastating effects on him and his family as well.
CY, your friend and family will be in my Prayers..as well as all involved
Posted by: Dan at March 12, 2006 12:16 AMI will also be praying for them all, agreeing just as you ask, for a complete and whole, healthy recovery. Thank God He is a God Who loves His little children and loves to do them good.
Posted by: Rose at March 12, 2006 03:31 AMBest wishes and prayers to your friends CY. Keep us updated.
Posted by: Specter at March 12, 2006 09:25 AMHere's hoping for a speedy recovery, and hoping that the young man involved doesn't beat himself up too much over the incident.
A word of advice for those who hunt with youngsters and inexperienced hunters when hunting in a group for small game.
If the inexperienced hunter is right handed, put everyone else to his right, and slightly behind him. This way, he has to swing all the way around to put anyone into his sight picture. Do the opposite for a left-handed beginning shooter.
To see what I mean, assume a shooting stance. You don't have to have a weapon in hand, just pantomime it. Swing right (left, if you are left-handed) and see how difficult it is. You can only swing comfortably about 45 degrees to the right without changing your stance. On the other hand, you can swing almost 90 degrees left with no trouble.
If your youngster isn't getting a shot off, the next time the dogs point, have him walk up to the dogs alone, and let everyone else stay back. That way, he's got the covey to himself. The experienced shooters can watch the birds after they break, and get an opportunity to pick up some singles afterwards.
I know that here and now is not the time or place for a lecture, and I don't intend this to be one. I did want to pass on this important safety tip though.
Again, I hope everybody comes out of this just fine, both mentally and physically.
Posted by: Mike McGill at March 12, 2006 10:54 AMMy younger brother was peppered with bird shot the very first time he went hunting. He was with a friend and the friend's borderline retarded brother (who should have never been given a weapon of any sort). A quail flew between the not-so-intelligent young man and my brother. A shot was fired at the quail and got my brother.
He was ok after a week in the hospital. But he still has a few pellets buried deep in his in his leg and that was 30 years ago.
You do need to make sure that people know what they are doing when they hunt.
Posted by: Shoprat at March 12, 2006 02:43 PMSending my prayers their way!
Posted by: William Teach at March 12, 2006 03:20 PMPrayers on the way for all.
Posted by: seawitch at March 12, 2006 07:13 PMMike McGill,
That is by far the best hunting advice I have seen. Thank you much.
Posted by: Specter at March 12, 2006 08:03 PMOur prayers are with everyone involved. As a life long sportsman (hunting, fishing and racing in my younger days) the young man can always remember that there are 'accidents' in every sport, every day and it can happen to anyone. Only those that don't participate in 'life' can and will critize everything.
Posted by: scrapiron at March 15, 2006 12:19 AM
