Can't preach enough safety!


Cody hunter dies in apparent accident

Default font size Larger font size Share CODY — The Park County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting death of a hunter that occurred Saturday afternoon in the Oregon Basin area, east of Cody.

Authorities are not yet releasing the names of the three individuals involved in the incident, an apparent accident.

The three individuals, all Cody residents, were hunting rabbits and engaging in recreational shooting, according to information released by the Park County Sheriff's Office.

While descending a steep embankment, the middle individual slipped and fell, accidentally discharging a rifle. The round struck the trailing individual, who died at the incident site.

Police declined to release further details, citing a pending investigation.

A Cody man died Saturday in a hunting accident.

The sheriff’s office says Nicholas Bemis, 27, was declared dead at the scene about 5 p.m.

Bemis was hunting rabbits with two others in rough terrain in Oregon Basin southeast of Cody.


The two friends told deputies they were descending steep, rugged terrain single file with Bemis in the back.

The man directly in front of Bemis slipped and fell backward, discharging the rifle he was carrying over his shoulder, according to the accident report.

Bemis was shot in the neck.

The department is not releasing the other men’s names as the investigation remains ongoing.

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the accident, Sheriff Scott Steward said.

A very rare hunting accident they are becoming rarer every year. Sad yes.

We call all learn to more carefull from this.

Not having the safety on and one in the chamber.
Not paying attention to his muzzle & where it was pointed.

I've many times stayed way back when following others with a shouldered rifle as most WILL stick you in the face with it. Just stay far enough behind mostly. You sure can't argue with them, they'll deny it everytime. I have slapped the barrel many times to get their attention.

Happened to me years ago. A hunting friend was carrying his .410 over his shoulder and I kept moving away from it and told him several times. He had his finger in the trigger guard. I had just moved alongside him when the gun discharged, the safety failed on the cheap gun. It was still on when we looked at it. I was lucky and he turned white.
I knew others that hunted birds and rabbits with safeties off so they could shoot faster. You need to stay away from these jerks and take care of yourself.

The person who had the gun would face jail time if it happened in New Zealand. The act of carrying a loaded gun with muzzle pointed at another person is a violation of the firearms code. If they were proven to by just walking and not actually hunting when this happened, it would be another violation and charge of reckless use of a firearm.

Sad for all concerned and particularly for Bemis and his family.

Carrying a rifle or shotgun with the muzzle pointed backward or back over the shoulder is irresponsible. More than once I told someone to change the way he carried his weapon.

I don't care if they get pissed or not. Don't carry your friggin gun that way.

Unfortunately, their are a few rifles and a great number of shotguns hat can fire when they hit the ground, even with the safety on. There are a few safeties that act only as a trigger block and do nothing to lock the sear or firing pin. Best thing to do is unload when handling difficult terrain or climbing.

As had been said before, these incidents have been dropping consistently over the years, no doubt due to the hunters education program.