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Fatal shooting during deer hunt

callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
edited November 2007 in General Discussion
I did a search and didn't see a thread on this yet. If it's a repost, I apologize.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312151,00.html

Grandfather Fatally Shoots Grandson in Deer Hunting Accident



TOWN OF SAXEVILLE, Wis. - A grandfather fatally shot his 18-year-old grandson in northwestern Waushara County during the opening weekend of Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer-hunting season, a warden says.

David R. Ruck from the Saxeville area died at a Neenah hospital after he was shot Sunday morning, Sheriff David R. Peterson said.

"My heart goes out to the family and to the community," said Tim Lawhern, conservation warden and state director of the Hunter Education Administration.

Deputies responded to a report about 8:40 a.m. that a hunter had been shot on private property in the town of Saxeville.

Ruck had been shot in the upper leg and inner groin, Peterson said, adding that the shooter said he mistook Ruck for a deer.

The sheriff's department and state Department of Natural Resources were investigating.

The gun deer season opened Saturday, with an estimated 630,000 hunters participating.

No statewide deer kill figures were reported Sunday.

Comments

  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "shot in the upper leg and inner groin"

    Must have hit the femoral artery.
    What a tragedy. I would like to get the details, was the kid wearing a vest, distance, what was grandpa thinking etc.
  • abcguns2abcguns2 Member Posts: 2,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Geez !!! always hate to hear this type of thing , and besides , when the 'anti-gun' NUTZ get this type of stuff????? well we all know about that ...Just one of the reasons to follow basic gun safety rules !!!
    One of my best friends while growing up and hunting together grandfather was killed while deer hunting , my friend 'danny' hunted with the win. model 12 20 ga. that he was found dead leaning up against ...seems some fool saw something move thru the bushes and shot him in the back with a slug ???
    Thanks !!!
    d.a.stearns
    Gunsmith / LEO
    Niota , Tn
  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Gramps "Mistook him for a deer"? Was the kid wearin a buckskin coat and a coonskin cap? WHAT A MOJOR TRAGEDY... That femoral artery can bleed you out in a matter of SECONDS!!! What a shame.[V]
  • Mort4570Mort4570 Member Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That is so sad,and so easily avoided by following a few simple rules,and just using good old common sense.

    My condolences to the family of the young man.
  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah, apparently he shot at movement instead of picking up binoculars, or at the very least using his rifle sight (yes, I know, a major no-no, but still could have prevented this).

    My wife's family is all from Wisconsin, and they general consensus about this is that this incident will be the death of the grandfather, too, long before his time.[:(]
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/11573661.html

    Raw Video: Hunter Killed Had Blaze Orange Covered
    Michael George
    Katie DeLong
    WAUSHARA COUNTY - He went hunting with his family, but ended up making a deadly mistake.

    A hunter accidentally shot and killed his 18-year-old grandson. It happened in the town of Saxeville in Waushara County.

    TODAY'S TMJ4's Michael George talked with friends of the family. They say this was a horrible accident, but the DNR says this was an accident that could have been prevented.

    The small town of Saxeville woke up to a tragedy Sunday morning. An 18-year-old on a hunting trip was accidentally shot and killed by his grandfather. Russ Meyer, a friend of the family, was hunting nearby.

    "While I was in my hunting blind, I heard some sirens and some screaming, and hollering, and I knew there was something wrong," Meyer said.

    Click on the link under related content to see an interview with Russell Meyer.

    David Ruck's 63-year-old grandfather mistook him for a deer. He shot Ruck in the thigh. A helicopter flew Ruck to a nearby hospital, but it was too late.

    "It's just a tragedy. We all can pray for the people," Meyer said.

    The family was hunting right here near their home. The 18-year-old was wearing a brown blanket because he was cold.

    That blanket covered up the bright orange clothing he was wearing. As Ruck walked through the woods, his grandfather saw the movement and fired. The DNR says hunters have to be certain of what they're firing at, and bright clothing won't help unless it's visible at all times.

    "I just hope that the rest of our season will be safe and nothing like this ever happens again in the area," Meyer said.

    The Waushara County Sheriff's Department and the DNR believe this was a tragic accident. Still, the district attorney in Waushara County will review the case to see if any charges will be filed against the grandfather.
  • callktulucallktulu Member Posts: 3,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Oh, I didn't know about the brown blanket. That really sucks.
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah, the kid screwed up big time.
    Still, if I was the grandfather, they wouldn't need to take out a warrant on me. I don't think I could live with it.
  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wearing a brown blanket this time of year. [:0][:0] That wasn't very bright. Still, I feel for Gramp's and the rest of the family.

    I agree that I wouldn't be able to live with myself either.
  • BT3BT3 Member Posts: 1,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    2 mistakes equals a tragdy.[:(]
  • gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    you would not believe some of the dumb poop people wear during deer season , i've seen people wear brown coveralls , white leggings or white snow pants

    of course the GF should have made sure of what he was shooting at but still to wear a brown blacket over your blaze orange , is just plain nuts
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    A tragic, yet simple lesson in the importance of positively identifying your target, EVERY TIME.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another reason I don't hunt down here anymore.
    What kind of dope, fires a gun at a flash of "brown"?
    The same idiots that kill cows, and horses every season.
    If you CAN NOT see well enough to identify a target that you intend to kill,........you have no reason to be roaming around in the woods.
    I have said repeatedly, this kind of "accident" is what will kill the sport of hunting someday.
    Some still think it is nothing but an "accident".
    I am sure the grandfather never MEANT to kill his grandson,........but this shows once again that there are folks out in the woods that should not be there.
    Sorry for the families.
    I can't even imagine how someone lives with that one in their head.[xx(]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • Blade SlingerBlade Slinger Member Posts: 5,891
    edited November -1
    Com on! you dont shoot at a brown spot[}:)][}:)]
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a zero tolerance for "accidental" shootings while hunting. Unless there is a mechanical failure of the gun the shooting was intentional. Any shooter has FULL responsibility for pulling the trigger.

    Grandfather or not; I have no sympathy for the shooter. Place him in jail and charge him with at least reckless endangerment or manslaughter. This crap of pulling the trigger on unidentified objects has to stop.
  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,697 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My heart goes out to this man and the families involved, but for the life of me I don't understand how anyone can fire at movement alone and not take the time to fully identify the target as well as where you are shooting! If you hesitate you might miss an opportunity, but you avoid really bad things happening. Yes, the kid should have been wearing his orange vest in plain sight, but there's just no excuse for this type of shooting

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

  • dolfandolfan Member Posts: 4,159
    edited November -1
    Sad story. Prayers for the family involved.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    I have a zero tolerance for "accidental" shootings while hunting. Unless there is a mechanical failure of the gun the shooting was intentional. Any shooter has FULL responsibility for pulling the trigger.

    Grandfather or not; I have no sympathy for the shooter. Place him in jail and charge him with at least reckless endangerment or manslaughter. This crap of pulling the trigger on unidentified objects has to stop.



    Tragic- But I agree! One of the first cardinal rules pounded into ones head at hunter safety courses.
  • BT3BT3 Member Posts: 1,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think the Grampa is going to suffer enough. If you locked up everyone that caused an accident the jails would be more costly cause we would have to build 100's more. If it was not done on purpose then it was an accident. period !!!
  • turtles11756turtles11756 Member Posts: 1,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    very simple deer have four legs not two gramps had no bussiness pulling the trigger or hunting
  • easygo6easygo6 Member Posts: 1,465 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    'mistook' MY *!!! Stay out of the hunting fields if you are too anxious to impress those you are hunting with or cannot enjoy the hunt for what it iss...
  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    I have a zero tolerance for "accidental" shootings while hunting. Unless there is a mechanical failure of the gun the shooting was intentional. Any shooter has FULL responsibility for pulling the trigger.

    Grandfather or not; I have no sympathy for the shooter. Place him in jail and charge him with at least reckless endangerment or manslaughter. This crap of pulling the trigger on unidentified objects has to stop.



    As I feel sorry for the Grandfather and the rest of the family. I agree totally with you. Know your target. And beyond. I'm color blind I have to identify the WHOLE target before I raise my gun.
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Incredibly sad.
    What's next?
  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This shows just how reckless GP was, if it would have been a Deer he had no idea where his shot placement was. I feel sorry for all involved, but you cant shoot at a brown object even if it is a Deer. Any responsible hunter would have taken time for good shot placement. Sounds like he shot at what he thought was a Deer and didnt even bother to try to get a clean shot to the vitals. I would have made sure it had antlers and also that I had a shot to the vitals. My thoughts are with them all, this is a horrible situation to even try to imagine.
  • tobefreetobefree Member Posts: 7,401
    edited November -1
    When I was twenty something I saw a something big and brown moving around in the distance and coming right at me!
    so I put my thumb on the hammer and waited for a clear shot. If I had been an impatient hunter I would have killed an idiot dressed in tan Carhartt's...
    Later I heard my uncle calling him every name in the book.... about a 1/4 of a mile from me!!!!
    Uncle Ed could string curse words into a short story when Po'd
  • SuspensionSuspension Member Posts: 4,783
    edited November -1
    That is a terrible thing. I do not understand how people mistake something for a deer or else just see movement and shoot.
    A couple years ago in this area a man squirrel hunting shot another man who was bowhunting. The guy was sitting in his tree stand and got shot in the face with a 12 gauge blast. How can that be an accident, camo sure as heck isn't that good. And to sit there while some cracker is "stalking" for squirrels is beyond me.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I pulled up on movement one day several years ago only to see another hunter walking in the woods across the field I was watching. He was wearing the brown Carhartt coveralls. My rifle was loaded and on safe.

    The next thing I did was leave the woods any go buy a decent set of binoculars. You can't kill anyone looking through them. I have never (since that day) pointed a rifle at anything that I was not 100% sure was what I wanted to kill.

    Using your scope to "check something out" or shooting at movement is just plain stupid. I do not feel sorry for Grampa at all. the rest of the family, yes, Grampa, NO!!
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by lt496
    A tragic, yet simple lesson in the importance of positively identifying your target, EVERY TIME.




    My thoughts exactly. Better to let a hundred deer get away than to mistakenly shoot another person. People don't think.
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "Any responsible hunter would have taken time for good shot placement. Sounds like he shot at what he thought was a Deer and didnt even bother to try to get a clean shot to the vitals. I would have made sure it had antlers and also that I had a shot to the vitals"

    Nighthawk you are right. Even if it was a deer, grandpa could have been shooting a 12 pointer through the lungs, or he could have been shooting a fawn through the guts, he didn't know which, or care. He could have blown off a doe's jaw and let her starve to death for several weeks, for all he cared.
    The guy is 63 years old and he didn't get this irresponsible just last week. He has been taking shots like this for years.
    When you hear stories about deer struggling through the woods with a leg blown off, it is due to irresponsible jerks like Grandpa.
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well said, Allen!
  • Blade SlingerBlade Slinger Member Posts: 5,891
    edited November -1
    Years ago while woodchuck hunting with my trusty .243 I was hunting from a high vantage point. I was glassing the fields for chucks and I kept seeing a brown spot moveing up and down about 150 yds out, I kept watching through my scope on the rifle,at the last minute I decided not to shoot, fired a round into a nearby tree to see what the brown spot would do. Turns out the brown spot was one of two people making out in the deep grass, phew! that was as close as I ever came to having an accident while hunting.


    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    Well said, Allen!
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with guntech59. The use of binoculars is a must a lot of times. Bring your firearm to bear on nothing you intend not to kill.

    I hunt in a area close to guntech59, and have 1400 acres of private land that borders the 20,000 acre Jadwin Memorial state forrest. I had an idiot that was hunting with us(got invited by my cousin, looking at us thru the scope on his 270. When I saw that thru my binoc's, he was told immediately to pack up his belongings and leave the premises, and not to ever return.

    As that poor grand father found out, once you pull the trigger you can not call it back. You must never let your complacency take over.

    I hope this tragic mistake is something we can all learn from.

    My thoughts and prayers are with that family.
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