Over the weekend in Maine, 3 hunters were shot. One man died. Also over the weekend, 2 dogs were shot and killed as they were mistaken for coyotes. In this article, John Holyoke talks about what its like for him to talk to his non-hunting friends and how bad the sport or hunting looks when so many incidents happen over such a short period of time.
I must say that it makes me happy that I hunt on family property and that Dad and I know WHO is hunting in the area with us (they sit in tree stands) but it is so, so scary to think about how quick something like this could happen and how absent minded some hunters can be while carrying a loaded weapon. Yes, I throw that gun up over my shoulder and shimmy up into my tree stand without worrying, but I also have a constant voice in my head yelling at me the minute the front of my gun comes up to where it would hit Dad's calf.
It is unfortunate that these serious incidents happen at all, but to have 5 of them happen in less than a week is scary and unnecessary. A man lost his life. The idea of hunting already has stigmas attached to it and when things like this happen, it doesnt help our cause.
As you know from my last post, this month I am celebrating the one year anniversary of this blog, 10 years of hunting with my Dad and a milestone birthday. In honor of all three, I want to give away some great Maine stuff to all of you! Rules: 1. Leave a comment 2. On Oct 28 (my big bday), Dad will pick a number and the corresponding post will win. What will you win? A big basket of great Maine and outdoor things! Such as: fly fishing flies, blueberry something, Maine maple syrup, apple butter (to be made by me on Tuesday), something related to deer hunting and a couple of great books signed by local authors. (Pictures will be posted when I am back at a computer). So thank you for your support and for helping my celebrate such a great month!!
So many times we hear of similiar accidents. It is not that hunters are absent minded it is just one of those unfortunate things that we tend to forget.
ReplyDeleteI cant remember there being so many over 1 weekend. Usually, someone shoots themselves (as awful as that sounds) but for hunters to shoot other hunters... scary and hopefully, we wont have any more stories for this season.
ReplyDeleteHow sad! I hate reading stuff like this. I am so glad we hunt private property too but it is always in the back of my head there's always that "one" that wants to trespass or something....so we stay alert as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis past weekend, dad walked under a new hunting stand with a new hunter in it. Maybe 1/4 mile from where I sit in my tree seat. He has not been there in the past 4 years we have hunted that land. I dont want to, but we may need a find a new spot.
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