Man shot outside Glen Morris this morning

I often think that a lot of new hunters that were not raised hunting and started off under there father or uncle close watch with a 177 pellet gun and went threw the ranks and years don't have a true understanding of what a gun can do and how far it travels. Its scares me that with a weekend course anyone can really just head to local gun shop and head out with a high power rifle or slug gun. I'm not saying this is what happened in this case. But it just scares me. Also dutch. No this could not happen to anyone. It happens to careless people. Also its funny how this crap always happens in the week of deer hunt. Just search it on the internet the amount of people shot in Ontario hunting accidents. 90% is the deer hunt.

It happens in the deer hunting because that's when guys are in the bush hunting. And yes it could happen to anybody. You can't know who is on the other side of the woods gully or feild every time you go to your spot. For all you know the neighbor could be walking her dog across from were you are hunting. . DUTCH I got to ask when else is there that many people in the woods with guns in southern Ontario. Shooting only happen when people are out with guns. And with everyone out at the same time.well you get the point

I did a deer drive once. I had a stray slug wizz by my head. never again!!!!!!!!!!

Like I said give me my tree stand & much distance away from other hunters & I am a happy camper...

It may be time to think about eliminating the two week gun hunt and open it throughout the entire fall season like with Black Bears to reduce the amount of hunter concentration over a short term. Once a hunters tag is filled,he's done for the year except for party hunting. It may be wise to do the same for Moose,too.

Hunting by driving deer can be very safe but everyone involved has to be very careful when shooting. The group I am now hunting with has been hunting this area for over 40 years and has never had an accident. ( new members have been added but there are still a few of the originals participating) When new deer hunters like myself are added to the group, one of the guys mentors them closely and makes sure that are safe. Over the last week, we have all had chances to shot but passed them up because we were not absolutely positive that the shot could be made safely. Better to pass up a shot than to cause an accident.

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Originally Posted by dutchhunter

Pushing deer is a safe as any other kind of hunting.

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Reality check: this is when the overwhelming majority of hunting accidents occur. It is the most dangerous time to be afield.

Is the number of accidents simply a function of the number of participants? That is, is the accident rate no higher? You'll need evidence for that claim. There are lots of hunters out on public lands in the south for upland hunting, for example. You run into lots of other hunters on a day afield. Accidents? Almost unheard of. Same on opening day for waterfowl. Same on the spring turkey opener.

No body count compares to the controlled deer hunt.

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Originally Posted by dutchhunter

The guy that was shot was on a watch a long way from the shooter out of sight from the guy shooting. That could happen to anyone of us well in the bush.you just never know who is across the feild or the other side of the bush..

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I'm just going to refrain from commenting on this. Instead....

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Originally Posted by Waftrudnir

accidents have happen and always will, but look at the odds (typical Ontario controlled hunts): pushing deer with shooters on the ground, very limited visibility due to brush, no knowledge who else is around (e.g. neighbor's lot, etc.) and terrain that often doesn't provide a natural back stop.
so, I'd say there's quite an onus on the shooter to pass a shot or two if it's not perfectly safe. certainly not the average mentality during the controlled hunt...

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Waftrudnir and I don't often agree, but we do here.

And I agree also that an extended rifle season would make more sense.

These accidents are regrettable but inevitable.
I Don't agree with extending rifle season. That would make the woods unsafe for all users for longer periods.
If you want extended get a bow or crossbow. I only bowhunt now to stay clear of the pumpkin parade. Seen too much craziness during gun season and refuse to be a statistic.

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Originally Posted by welsh

Reality check: this is when the overwhelming majority of hunting accidents occur. It is the most dangerous time to be afield.

Is the number of accidents simply a function of the number of participants? That is, is the accident rate no higher? You'll need evidence for that claim. There are lots of hunters out on public lands in the south for upland hunting, for example. You run into lots of other hunters on a day afield. Accidents? Almost unheard of. Same on opening day for waterfowl. Same on the spring turkey opener.

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We don't often hear of accidents where guys get shot with errant bullets during a hunt...most accidents end up being related to poor gun handling, ie. guys falling and shooting the guy in front of him, not unloading their guns guns while climbing trees or crossing fences etc.

There are more incidents related to an aimed shot, thinking it the guy was wild game, than being hit by a bullet shot from nowhere. I tend to think those type of 'accidents' are far more nefarious :)

Shooting bird shot into the sky is why that style of hunting accounts for few accidents. Same with Turkey..bird shot doesn't travel far. Not a valid comparison.

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Originally Posted by GreyTech

I Don't agree with extending rifle season. That would make the woods unsafe for all users for longer periods.

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I agree, two weeks is plenty, especially if your talking about 'gang' hunting where most of these type of hunting accidents occur.

We have a two week season here and VERY few camps run both weeks. In fact very few camps take advantage of the 2nd week as they follow tradition and will never hold off the hunt till the second week. There would be little interest in 'gang' hunting into a 3rd week.

The majority of accidents during the controlled hunt appear to be people swinging on game, not poor handling.

And the next highest accident rate is in upland bird hunting, IIRC.