Another hunter killed

Myles · 10-21-2002, 02:29 PM

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=51363

MEDFORD - A hunter was fatally shot
this weekend by another hunter who
mistook him for an elk, officials said.

Thomas Rusell Peabody, 42, was shot
Saturday as he returned to the road carrying
an elk head, according to the Douglas
County Sheriff's Office. The shooter,
39-year-old Leslie D. Baker, saw the
movement of the elk head and thought
Peabody was an elk, officials said.

Peabody was killed instantly, officials said.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation.

tailchaser · 10-21-2002, 02:58 PM

I went with a couple of guys who were kinda green, and I didn't tell my wife about the incident from new mexico before I left. It was definitely on my mind though. Since I was only spotting and helping them out I felt kinda weird not carrying a gun or anything but I was very aware of where others were. To make a long story short the very first morning this weekend one of them was clicking in shells to his magazine in the dark and I mentioned to make sure he wasn't pointing in our direction (which he was). Before we started walking to the area in the dark I asked if they had shells in the chamber and he said yes. Immediately I had him take it out and he was struggling with it not being able to see, so I started walking towards him to shine a light and KABLOOOOEY!!!!

[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] I jumped about 2' in the air and started cussing pretty badly. Thank god I had just told him to point it at the ground. Times like these remind me why I bowhunt. To say the least my nerves were catlike the rest of the day. I still didn't tell the wife about this one. She'd never let me go out and play during a rifle season.

So far this is two incidents I know of that people are either packing out elk or standing next to them when they're shot. Please use a lot of ribbon or blaze on the animal and yourself out there when it's down. :whazzup:

tc

bigshark · 10-21-2002, 04:41 PM

Many family members on both sides will suffer from this. There is little to be said that will comfort them. It makes me wonder if some common sence rules need to be taught to get a tag. I hate the thought of having to pass a little test like we take for goose hunting in the NW Special Permit Area. But, if the shooter in this case had only made sure of his target and the spot he wanted to put the bullet, another hunter would be alive. How much is our time worth? One life a season? Well I don't know if it would do any good. I just feel so crumby when I read it. I can only say I'm so very sorry for all effected.

Bait O' Eggs · 10-21-2002, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the info Myles.

Another sad day for hunters everywhere. This probably wont be the last hunter shot we hear of this year. :depressed: :depressed:

When I shot my buck this year, I ribboned the horns on my pack with at least 20 feet of bright pink ribbon. I suggested to my brother Saturday he ribbon the elk horns on his pack. He laughed at me and headed for the truck. He will be getting a copy of the article. :depressed:

Flatfish · 10-21-2002, 10:27 PM

This iswhat i wear when i go out, in order here:
1- My drop dead sexy orange t-shirt.
2-My drop dead sexy orange swaetshirt.
3-My drop dead sexy orange jacket.4
4-My drop dead sexy orange hat ot stocking cap.Also in orange.
In the pac is a drop dead sexy orange vest and orange flags.
I may look like a dork but I don't look like an elk or a deer.Even on those tricky brush shots.If you hunt with me I have an extra of each. Or you can stay in the truck.Your choice.
It annoys me that folks shoot what they can't see.But I would rather look like a dork that is annoyed than hunt in camo anytime.Except duck hunting.I do that on private property and the other hunters are next to me.So if they shoot me, somebody has some explaining to do.
Too bad.
Mark and the duckninja dog.

1pump · 10-21-2002, 11:11 PM

A good friend's brother was killed a few years back while hunting in the coast range. He had just joined the Portland police and was shot and killed by his hunting partner, who was also on the force. There was no one I would rather have as a hunting partner. He was a regular Davey Crockett who had spent all his spare time in the woods or in a duck blind. He was as woods-wise as anybody. He wasn't wearing orange because he wouldn't hunt with anyone who would be inexperienced enough to mistake him for game. Or so he thought. If it could happen to him, it could happen to anybody. It changed my attitude forever about hunting safety.

roundbelly · 10-22-2002, 05:36 AM

its blaze orange or ten mile cloth for me. at least a hat, coat, or vest. just as long as it is not plastic or nylon which reflects the sun light. most animals see movement not colors. it always makes me wonder why so many resist making them selves visable to other hunters.
plus if you get lost it is easier to see a person in a blaze orange coat, than camo.

tag-a-long · 10-22-2002, 06:05 AM

We all have heard of buck or bull fever. Please be careful out there. I see so many people willing to shoot moving brush that it makes me want to only hunt birds. Thoughts and prayers to both families involved.

Norm · 10-22-2002, 07:48 AM

Thats really sad :depressed: . I always carry a couple of rolls of red plastic tape to mark blood trails. I also use it to cover my game as I'm packing it out. Hopefully another hunter will think twice about shooting a deer or elk that looks like a xmas tree.

BlueWater · 10-22-2002, 08:07 AM

If it is a large racked bull that you have to strap on a packboard carry it upsidedown with the rack going forward (covered in ribbon also). You feel like Buck Rodgers Jet pack man but I have always felt someone would think twice about shooting an upside down elk walking trough the woods covered in flagging tape.

Think before you act.

BlueWater.

skein · 10-22-2002, 09:03 AM

Please don't think I'm making light of this, I'm not - it is incredibly important that we put safety first in the field - but the coastal rivers and bays eat many more fishermen each year than are killed or injured in hunting accidents. Many of us who wouldn't think of going hunting without hunter orange will fish week after week and never take our PFD's out of the storage seat. When was the last time you checked out the straps? Made sure everyone on board knew where they were (if not wearing them)? Had your passengers pull one on and adjust it to their size and made sure it fit over their clothes? How many throwables do you have on board? Etc, etc, etc.

Make it a point to do that next time out. It only takes a couple of minutes, and I guarantee you will feel better because of the drill. Your passengers will too, and everyone will be more *aware*.

Skein

24 on/ 48 off · 10-22-2002, 10:08 AM

1-pump. You have a private message.

--spud-- :smile:

Gus Orviston · 10-22-2002, 10:27 AM

I wanted to post a link that I once had that shows how many shooting accidents that actually occur in Oregon and their outcomes. I can't find it right now but will continue my search, however if you would like a shock, do a search on the web for "hunting accidents" you will get a few thousand hits....

Norm, be careful of thinking the color red will protect you, color blind people don't see what the norm does..... Blaze Orange is the color to use. Use your red for tracking, but get something else for marking you and your animal.

In the past I have poo pooed wearing Orange. But on the ODFW website there are several scenarios where people have shot others, mistaken for critters and or general accidents. Having a family now really has me reflecting on my choices in this area.

Raingear has been an issue because any blaze coat or shirt gets covered up with it...so I headed out to get me some raingear so that when it rains (gosh I wish it would) my raingear would also be safe. I got a waterproof gortex jacket at GI Joes with B.O. all over it.

Gus Orviston · 10-22-2002, 10:51 AM

Found it...

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/

I would recommend just reading these before heading out in the field. Quite sobering to say the least.

Good luck, and be safe!

Big Willie · 10-23-2002, 06:30 AM

Ok, first I can't believe this kind of crap even happens. What are these dipshi*s thinking when they draw down on another hunter? Incredible.

As far as blaze orange clothing is concerned...why the hell wouldn't you want to wear this when you rifle hunt?
Gary