Ontario hunter fined $10K for shooting fellow hunter

[Badenoch]

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/...hunter-6999974

Ontario hunter fined $10K for shooting fellow hunter

On top of hefty fine, man lost his hunting licence for five years and must retake hunter education course; victim transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

SooToday Staff about 13 hours ago

An Ontario man who shot a fellow pheasant hunter has been fined $10,000 and stripped of his hunting licence for the next five years.

Donald Rodzik of Windsor pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm in connection with the shooting incident, which occurred on Sept. 28, 2022 at the private Griffith Island Hunt Club in Georgian Bay.

According to a press release issued by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, a conservation officer responded to the scene.

"The investigation found that while hunting pheasant from a stationary line, Rodzik discharged his firearm, striking another member of his hunting party in the lower extremities," the release said. "Rodzik failed to take reasonable consideration for the proximity and position of the other hunter when discharging his firearm."

The injured hunter was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Justice of the Peace Angela Renaud heard the case at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound on April 14. Along with the fine and licence suspension, Rodzik is required to retake the hunter education course.

"The Ontario government is safeguarding the public against unsafe and illegal hunting practices," the news release states.

[dean.f]

Wow, shot him from a "stationary line" that sounds almost deliberate. I guess he won't be invited back.

[JUDGE]

Didn't have a tag. LOL

[Gun Nut]

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/...hunter-6999974

"The investigation found that while hunting pheasant from a stationary line, suspect discharged his firearm, striking another member of his hunting party in the lower extremities,"

" Lower extremities," A bit of a low shot considering pheasants are not suppose to be taken on the ground but rather on the wing. Maybe that wasn't made clear to the guy when took his original hunting course, did he take the course from an actual instructor or did he take it on-line? Now that would be an interesting fact to know. Because it's stuff like that I use to cover.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[dean.f]

If I were to speculate I would say it's likely poor muzzle control and no safety on while awaiting the flush.

[finsfurfeathers]

"The investigation found that while hunting pheasant from a stationary line, suspect discharged his firearm, striking another member of his hunting party in the lower extremities,"

" Lower extremities," A bit of a low shot considering pheasants are not suppose to be taken on the ground but rather on the wing. Maybe that wasn't made clear to the guy when took his original hunting course, did he take the course from an actual instructor or did he take it on-line? Now that would be an interesting fact to know. Because it's stuff like that I use to cover.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

"hunting pheasant from a stationary line" seems to indicate they were conducting a tower shoot. So played out like Dean speculated.

If I were to speculate I would say it's likely poor muzzle control and no safety on while awaiting the flush(launch).

Ground pounding a pheasant isn't illegal however does pose a higher risk factor hence prohibited at most release sites. Why it hasn't been adopted at Hullet is a wonder.

[trimmer21]

If I were to speculate I would say it's likely poor muzzle control and no safety on while awaiting the flush.

That what it sounds like to me,too. Careless muzzle control by "sweeping" others can never be tolerated. That guy is lucky he isn't going to jail.

[Badenoch]

"hunting pheasant from a stationary line" seems to indicate they were conducting a tower shoot. So played out like Dean speculated.

Ground pounding a pheasant isn't illegal however does pose a higher risk factor hence prohibited at most release sites. Why it hasn't been adopted at Hullet is a wonder.

Griffith does a simulated "driven shoot" with blockers and pushers. Blockers form a line at one end of the field and pushers move forward from the other end. The island requires all birds to be shot at 45 degrees or higher with a sky background. Ground swatting is strictly prohibited. Hunting groups are shown a safety video which is mandatory regardless how many times you've shot there and blaze orange is worn by all. There is zero tolerance for a safety infraction.

[finsfurfeathers]

Griffith does a simulated "driven shoot" with blockers and pushers. Blockers form a line at one end of the field and pushers move forward from the other end. The island requires all birds to be shot at 45 degrees or higher with a sky background. Ground swatting is strictly prohibited. Hunting groups are shown a safety video which is mandatory regardless how many times you've shot there and blaze orange is worn by all. There is zero tolerance for a safety infraction.

that's good to hear. Guess its worth following the rules.