This week saw another fatality among hunters after Michael Shane Hasting shot and killed Randall Williamson. Williamson was sitting in a tree when he was felled by Hasting.
Hasting was hunting with his 6-year-old son when he accidentally shot Williamson, who was camouflaged in a squatter’s chair — wearing camouflage clothing and mesh over his face.
Such accidents occur regularly as Dick Cheney exposed to the entire world to see. For a prior column, click here. For other such stories, click here and here.
Nevertheless, Kentucky, here, wants to extend hunting with city limits and South Dakota, here, wants to lower the age for hunting to 10.
For the latest story, click here
JT said…
Nevertheless, Kentucky, here, wants to extend hunting with city limits and South Dakota, here, wants to lower the age for hunting to 10
The city limits is a bad idea. So is lowering the age.
But I’d be all for a bill that would designate an area where they could hunt each other.
😐
Thinning the herd…, so to speak.
RCampbell:
Touche’
“…isn’t it kosher just to shoot in the direction of the rustling bushes?”
Only if you’re the Vice President.
JR:
That’s rich and a sad commentary on our time that Orwell should have anticipated. I have no idea why visually impaired hunters need a spotter, isn’t it kosher just to shoot in the direction of the rustling bushes?
Well, Mespo, in point of fact, hunting already is highly regulated: in Michigan, for example, I believe visually-impaired hunters even have to take a spotter with them before they can go shooting. Talk about Big Brother!
kermudgeon:
I have no idea how that non-sequitur fits into our discussion, but by all means keeping them coming. You are undoubtedly my best argument to regulate hunting because you constantly prove the innate immorality of the “sport” as well as the, often-times, muddled thinking of the participants. Please carry on!
Almost 3 times as many people die in the USA from the Flu as are killed by firearms. I think it is more important to look out for drunk people that are infected with the Flu than carrying firearms…
Mespo727272 wrote:
I propose a law that would make hunting while in possession or under the influence of alcohol a low grade felony and make hunters strictly liable for harm to persons, domestic animals (including the rabbit dogs they often shoot), and property.
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That works for me! Guns and alcohol shouldn’t mix any more than driving a car or any other vehicle under the influence does. We have laws against drinking and driving for the obvious reason; someone who drives while drunk can — and often does — kill or seriously injure one or more people.
The same applies with guns and alcohol, the way I see it. Although I wonder if it has been established that Mr. Hasting WAS under the influence at the time he shot Mr. Williamson. Even if he wasn’t, Hasting may be facing some serious charges here.
kurmugeon:
The only “fact” I saw in your comment was your correct assertion that more people are killed on the highways than hunting. Obviously, this is true because more people drive and have greater chances of smashing into someone. Everything else you said was opinion without justification except maybe your age. Admit it– you hunt because you like to kill things and the thrill of it is the motivation. I doubt you need to stock your freezer for the winter. By the way, if you’ve never seen a drunk hunter, you’re lucky or maybe you just didn’t know what to look for.
“A couple of you anti-hunters might be surprised to learn you may be perhaps more likely to get hit by a car crossing the street to fetch your latte than get hurt in the woods during hunting season.”
Alas, this offers little or no comfort to the family of the dead hunter nor the family of a car accident victim. And I neither drink lattes nor am I a vegetarian.
“…some of the best Americans this country has to offer pick up a rifle or a shotgun and enjoy hunting.”
What was that my mother used to say about using what other do as the guide and/or justification for one’s own actions (See “Jumping off a Cliff” or “All my Friends are Doing It” in the Mothers’ Guide to Child Rearing)?
“…enjoy hunting.”
Let’s see, an animal was as alive as the hunter one moment, living the natural life of a deer, elk, dove, etc–and then he/she is suddenly, un-naturally but still permanently DEAD for no more reason than the sport of it and to confirm the humans animals’ arrogant domination over other animals. Now there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
I am 78 years old and hunted many months out of each of those years, including last Fall. I can honestly say in all those years I have never encountered a drunken hunter in the woods, much less anyone I would consider an unsafe hunter. It honestly is a fact that some of the best Americans this country has to offer pick up a rifle or a shotgun and enjoy hunting.
A couple of you anti-hunters might be surprised to learn you may be perhaps more likely to get hit by a car crossing the street to fetch your latte than get hurt in the woods during hunting season.
eoeore:
Invective aside why don’t you tell us the “straight facts? As you know, none of the meat I eat or leather I use comes from hunted animals. I never said I was a vegetarian. That was a straw man you invented to prop up your verbal assault that completely dodged my comment. I would like to know why we in the modern world need druken hunters in the woods armed to the teeth? To the rest of our little salon, hang around guys, this oughta’ be good.
mesopo, spoken like a true vegetarian that wears leather shoes with a beautiful leather watch band.
You are soooo much a hypocrite. I see JT is a big time anti-gunner also. Too bad none of you will even spend 5 minutes getting your facts correct about hunting, firearms, or the outdoors.
There may be some redeeming value to hunting, but I don’t see it. There are more humane ways of thinning the herd or protecting crops than sending scores of private armies into the woods armed with firearms, dogs, and liquor. I propose a law that would make hunting while in possession or under the influence of alcohol a low grade felony and make hunters strictly liable for harm to persons, domestic animals (including the rabbit dogs they often shoot), and property. This practice is a vestige from our past we can do without.
Yes, these kids need to be taken to baseball games to watch a bunch of men on STERIODS that know how to play a children’s game well.
They are safer there.