The following is a true story that just happened to one of my younger brother's best friends. I knew this Stuart's older brother in college. They are from Athens, GA. No matter what we are hunting, we can never be too careful. Below is what Stuart wrote:

The following is a brief account that happened to Stuart, Jr. and I last Sunday morning. Learning experience for us all. It is my wish for all of us to remember that guns are dangerous and we all take life for granted.
We are getting better thanks to the man upstairs.
I am sure we will talk soon.

Stuart



The Story as I Lived It!

Some of you know this story, but for those that have not heard the brief details, this is what happened last Sunday to Stuart, Jr. and me.


Stuart and I were invited to go quail shooting with a father and son whom I have a professional relationship with and the son plays on Stuart, Jr's. football team. The dad has probably been shooting for 2 years (mostly sporting clays and some released quail), and the son has probably fired only a handfull of rounds at clay targets. I typically do not accept invitations to shoot with inexperienced people and those I do not know well as most of my close friends will tell you, but the dad kept pushing for the kids to have a half day of shooting. I tried to get a rain check several times, but was eventually forced and I went only for Stuart, Jr.

The morning started with a great drive down to Dorchester with Stuart, Jr. We spent the drive talking about gun safety and what to expect (Stuarts first quail shoot). We saw the Med-star helicopter on the drive down and had an interesting conversation about the fact that we would never need to ride in that thing.

Upon our arrival, our hosts were finishing breakfast and host son playing the game boy at the lodge, and Stuart immediately went to the guides and other adults introducing himself and asking questions - believe it or not. Stuart shot a few practice rounds at the skeet range, and we were off on his new adventure. The host dad invited me to shoot with him for the first few birds so the kids could get the picture, and Stuart agreed that was a good idea. Out guide gave a great 5 minute instruction on safety - Stuart was very attentive and asked questions and the other I had hoped was listening. The dad and I shot 2 or 3 birds, and I passed the gun to Stuart and he and the other dad began shooting. Experience dictates that the dad of the young shooters always stays with the son and helps pick the target and when to shoot. Also positioning yourself between your son and the others to prevent improper swinging, etc. I should also mention that Stuart, Jr. is more experienced with guns than our host dad, and I trust him under most circumstances with a gun in his hand - hunting has become a way of life for Stuart and I, and could be said that hunting is life for the 2 of us. Our best experiences and unbelievable relationship has all been developed around hunting and fishing, and I believe that he is indeed the lifetime hunting and fishing partner that I have been looking for all of my life. I have also often listened and read the stories of others who I gladly share a campfire with that tell this same story about the relationship of father and son which was developed in the field on hunting trips. All that you read and hear is indeed true with Father and son hunting relationships.

During the morning, and with Stuart and host dad doing most of the shooting (the host son did not want to carry his gun because it was heavy and he would get tired), Stuart did great! He shot a few quail, dusted a few more, and shot a pheasant that was missed during the pheasant shoot the day before. He also knew when to shoot and not on his own and with a little of my coaching!!! The Guide even told Stuart on several occasions that he had done the right thing by not shooting. Stuart was having a blast, and dad was very proud. I should also mention that during a walk down a road on the way to the jeep for more dogs, a single got up just in front of us. Stuart was unloaded as we should have been and I was walking ahead of the others with the guide. The host dad was behind on the right and all of a sudden pulled up and shot at the bird. The muzzle was 5 to 6 inches from the guides ear and I was also close. The guide and I had serious muzzle blast, and the comment from the host dad was that he probably should not have taken the shot. This was the sort of thing that I had thought would have happened, and the reason for my not wanting to be there.

Later in the morning the host son decided to shoot, and I was proud of the host dad following my lead and leaving his gun in the jeep to work with his son. The two sons had a good go at it, and got some shooting. We decided to circle to the jeep and move to a location where a lot of singles had flown for the last 30 minutes of the hunt. On the way to the jeep we had a beautiful point and Stuart was the lone shooter. The lab flushed the point, and a beautiful rooster pheasant flew towards Stuart and then cleared to our left. He shot twice with no feathers, but was indeed a great sight when the smoke cleared. The smile was from ear to ear and his eyes bigger and brighter than silver dollars. He said that was awesome!!! I thought what a great experience for him and for a moment I was very thankful that he and I had the chance to be there enjoying the thing we love most.

Once repositioned, the host dad mentioned that his son was ok with the gun that that he thought he would shoot backup for the kids. I thought a bad idea and should have told him this, but this was his place and I kept my thought silent. We flushed a pheasant and the host dad got it on the second shot, and the dogs pointed just minutes later - locked up that is.

We went to the point in the open field with very little cover. Stuart on the far left and I was just to his right as I was all day, the guide in the center (to our right) and host son and host dad to the right of the guide and pointed dogs. Host dad was on the outside of his son which I clearly noticed and should have mentioned as we approached. The guide sent the flushing lab and 2 quail jumped and flew directly back towards the guide. Stuart and I immediately raised his gun straight up and I said no shot turning towards the others. Host dad was leaning back and raising his gun up to the safe position 5 feet or so away from his son, and I noticed the son swinging with gun parallel to the ground and coming in our direction in slow motion. The quail had cleared the guide and were gone, and I thought no way he is going to shoot. He kept swinging and the impact hit the same time as the bang. He clearly shot just to pull the trigger as the quail were long gone and not even near his sight picture! The impact was unbelievable and knocked me to the ground - I thought my guts were gone. Falling, I noticed Stuart running some small circles and saw where he had been hit in the right shoulder and a few in the face. Not knowing the seriousness of my injuries, my initial reaction was to make sure Stuart was ok. He seemed better than me, and he was concerned if I was going to die. The crazy thing is I could not answer his question and I asked him to lay with me until the EMS arrived. I had the sense to tell the guide to call the helicopter and take care of my son first. EMS told me that he was in better that I was, and this unbelievable calming sensation took control of my feelings and emotions. He said that I was in bad shape, and that I would have serious internal injuries, but that the helicopter was in route and we would get to the hospital soon. I told the EMS and helicopter flight nurses that I would not go unless Stuart went with me. They agreed and said this was a first. It was a 12 to 14 minute ride to the hospital.

The x-rays and cat scans showed around 100 shot in my gut with 8 in the liver and a few in the kidneys. Stuart has 25 to 30, and one in his kidney. We both had one shot very close to the large intestine which concerned the doctors due to infection. The thought was to wait and see and not operate, and I now think we have cleared the infection possibility. I should also say that my glasses were shattered which saved my eyes. Stuart got a few to the face and broke one of his permanent teeth which is still not resolved, and cracked his shoulder blade by three shot hitting close together. Latest count by Mary Brooke is that I have close to 200 shot in me. GA Department of Natural Resources made the determination that the shooter was less than 15 yards from us.

There are many What If's in this story including the fact if I was not in the position to take most of the shot Stuart Jr. would have gotten it all in the face and probably not survived!

This has happened for a reason that I have yet to determine. I hope this accident and future stories about my event will help hunters understand the seriousness of guns and being afield with loaded guns. Stuart and I survived this because of Gods will I am certain, and I plan to explore and understand and share this reason for the rest of my life. When time permits, and as I think and learn more about this accident, I will share the whole story in detail with you, but I wanted to tell you the brief version and to say that Stuart and I are going to be ok. The getting well process will be a week or so - hurts like hell-, and the healing process will take a while.

I also want to thank you for thinking about Stuart and I and praying for us, it is your prayers and Gods wish that we are here to share this unbelievable experience with you. I know we will all learn a great deal about gun safety and the reality of being in the field with loaded guns. Hunting is not for the inexperienced, but for those who take the time to learn right from wrong and follow the lead of the ones that know.

Stuart and I are planning another trip to Dorchester Shooting Preserve when we are able, and to hunt with our Guide Matt. Stuart will do all the shooting, and I plan to watch my best hunting partner have the best day of his life. Stuart is looking forward to our trip.

I am grateful!

Stuart


Here's a picture of young Stuart, Jr:

Here's a picture of his dad:

Holy sh*@ I sure hope those two are able to get past this.

As I read, I thought of my son (age 12) and how this might have played out with us. Definitely time to review placement and situational shooting again, as it can't hurt any of us.

Thanks for passing along

Yes, it's amazing that this does not happen more often, especially with so many inexperienced hunters coming here to hunt released quail. Be careful who you hunt with!

This made me sick to my stomach as I'm really just starting to hunt with my son. I wish them both a full and speedy recovery.

When I was 14 I took my Gun clubs firearms safety course that was put on by club volunteers. It was exceptionally well done and I gained/learned alot from it. In that class were several other kids in my age bracket.
The following year one of them was hunting with his dad in the pouring rain all day. When it got near dark they went back to the Camper. Dad got in first then asked his son to pass in the rifles. He had unloaded his but did not observe his son to unload his. When the son passed up his Win 94 30-30 it was loaded and cocked, he passed it butt 1st and his dad grabbed it by the pistol grip finger went on the trigger. A split secnd later he was looking down at his dying son with a shot thru the chest.
He told others later it all came down to the fact they were both drenched and cold and just in too much of a hurry to get out of the rain and into that warm camper.
My guess is they were prolly both on the virge of hypothermia and their thinking process suffered on account of it!

The year after that another fella that was on that same course borrowed his brothers truck to go hunting. The conditions were similar to the previous story as it rains alot in this area. He got back to the truck soaked and unlocked it and just tossed the rifle into the cab muzzle 1st, the rifle was loaded and had been on safe but it was knocked off sliding along on the seat and then the trigger caught on the safety belt latch and discharged the rifle thru the passenger door. His partner thank god was standing in front of the grill unloading his rifle at that very second!
Well I guess my point is that the course was well taught, but the individuals had to keep the lessons in mind and practice them without fail.
After seeing what happened to those fellas I went back and took the course a second time just to reinforce what I learned the 1st time around.
Yet over the years I have come close to being shot on two occasions by people who had no training but what they had picked up from others or learned on their own. But they both just slipped once not practicing safe gun handling. I almost payed the price.

As was noted in the first incident, often times experience tells us something is unsafe or just not a smart idea but we keep our mouths shut and not be confrontational. I'm often that way but no longer when it comes to gun safety. Don't ever be shy about speaking up and keeping everyone safe.

Long ago, I took a full load of #8's from about 15 yards. The only thing that prevented very serious injury was an insulated canvas hunting coat (thank you Filson!). The shooter was an overly enthusiastic novice. Before the fateful shot, he had given the rest of us ample opportunity to be strident about safety, but all of us just let it slide. It almost really cost me.

Spring
I am very glad that you and your son got thru that experience as well as you did.
It sure jogged my memory to some painful incidents.
I know I am extremely careful when gun handling its the other guys we usually have to watch out for!
I hope your recoveries are as quick and complete as they possibly can be.

I have always tried to practice safe gun handling practices and this past year has only reinforced this and shown how some old procedures can be truly bad.

I used to "clear" my rifles by unloading the magazine and cycling the bolt two or three times to make sure the chamber is clear. Note I did not say to visually check the chamber or in the case of a bigger centerfire to do the old insert the pinky into the chamber test. On a ground squirrel shoot I dropped the mag of my Sako Finnfire 22lr and cycled the bolt two or three times, aimed at the ground and pulled the triiger to be "sure" it was unloaded. The heavily used and little cleaned extractor failed to snag the round and the rifle discharged when I pulled the trigger. No harm as I had the rifle pointed in a safe direction but I certainly saw the error of my ways in assuming a live round was NOT in the chamber. Now I ALWAYS visually inspect the chamber to make sure no cartridge lies therein.

The next example of always keeping your muzzle pointed in a safe direction occured with my pre-64 M70 375 H&H. We were having a good old time in a gravel pit shooting at various targets. I topped off the old girl with cartridges, chambered a round, put it on safe, and got ready to "engage" the target. I shouldered the rifle and started to pull down on it when I thumbed off the safety-at which the rifle discharged. I imediately think i've hit he trigger and inadvertantly fired the rifle but subsiquent working of the rifle revealed over half the time the rifle now fired when the safety was pushed to fire. Again no harm as I was aimed well downrange and indeed almost on target but the point was drilled into me to that no safety is ever 100% and safe handling practices are PARAMOUNT.

In groups people need to have their weapons pointed in a safe direction AND be a safe distance/direction away from me/us. This is not news or rocket science, but I am becoming more anal in my observance of it. ADs can happen. The more you shoot the more it will likely happen or more likely WHEN it will happen. Please remember to always practice safe gun handling/muzzle discipline and when an "incident" occurs it will be no more than a reminder to keep vigilant.

John

Spring,

Please let us know when more information on this story is available. My son is 8 and I can't get out of the house with a weapon without him. I teach him everytime about safety, but here in NJ you constantly run into other hunters on state land. This is the scary part, as many are lax with their safety, drunk, or both.

Are their any charges from fish & game?

Sir, my heart goes out to you and your son. There is nothing that any of us can say that will that would be enough to compensate you for that experience. My prayers go out to both of you and I am glad the damage was not worse.

"Anything that does not kill us, makes us stronger."

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WestCoaster:
Spring
I am very glad that you and your son got thru that experience as well as you did.
QUOTE]

Thank you for the thoughts, WestCoaster, but fortunately it was not my son and me in the accident. This happened last week to the younger brother of a good friend of mine in college. However, this accident did catch my attention very much as quail hunting is a big part of my life, and something that I have done so very many times with my son (he's now 19).
Saftey has always been a priority with us, especially since my son has grown up next to me as my best hunting buddy. We hunt with other friends very often, too, and have certainly had some moments when we've ducked from a careless shooter. Quite honestly, most of those moments have come not with younger hunters but with older ones. It seems that most people tend to hammer in the saftey issues with a young sportsman and those lessons tend to stick, but when quail hunting with otherwise highly experienced hunters that are in their 80's, with all respect to Ray , that's when I've most often looked for cover! I've had to holler at my own dad for shooting at a low bird on a dove shoot. I guess the point is that no matter your age, you can't overly focus on keeping our sport safe.

Our prayers are with Stuart Sr. and Stuart Jr. I truly wish them both a speedy recovery. I've always thought quail hunting with the inexperienced to be more dangerous than hunting the worst the Dark Continent has to offer! It's amazing the callous indifference some have towards the shotgun as a lethal weapon. In dove fields I've seen some experienced shooters who wouldn't think of doing the same with a rifle, swing and fire at a bird in line with another hunter and then explain it away as "at that distance he wouldn't catch a pellet." Those folks get escorted out of the field and don't get to come back. Ever!

Thank you for the reminder of what we all have to guard against. Please tell Stuart Sr. that we appreciate his explaining to us what happened, and that we all wish him and his son a speedy recovery.