Thread: How Could This Happen ?

A friend and neighbour just told me that he was shot at beside a popular DOC hut at Oxford.
It happened last January, friend was bent over checking the front tire of his mountain bike which was leant against the hut.
He felt something fly past his shoulder and heard the blast. The guy that shot at him was standing beside the Huts woodshed - 18 paces away, thought he was an easy deer. Friend was wearing a yellow cycle jacket and helmet.
I have felt uncomfortable about entering the bush since being told about that.

Allan Simmons advises to wear camo and that anyone shooting at someone wearing camo should they themselves be shot

Originally Posted by berg243

hope he got the guys name and passed it onto the plod. thats not a close call thats a bloody miracle he wasnt shot at that range .

I reckon any fool who would have taken that shot is more likely to miss at any range.

Dam straight that dudes licence, gun and balls should have been confiscated on the spot.

What brainless twat! Unbelievable....

Definately a matter for the police.

how could you mistake a person for an animal at that range and by the sounds of it through an open area not bush to boot...? WTF
and rarely have I seen a deer on a mountain bike .....

Absolutely terrible.
Similar but with a better outcome (the dude didnt get killed), as the lady tramper with a headlight getting shot while washing stuff at a creek.
Seriously like WTF?

Something doesn’t add up with this..

Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

Something doesn’t add up with this..

The young guys had just burst out of the bush to the hut woodshed and thought there was a deer by the hut. They apologised profusely. My friend, who is an experienced hunter was so shocked / stunned by what had happened that he just took himself out of the situation. Has been back to the hut twice since and stepped out the distance he was shot at from, 18 paces.

The issue is that these type of people are being licenced without proper training

Positively identify your target. Basic stuff. It should be reported to police.

Originally Posted by Woody

Positively identify your target. Basic stuff. It should be reported to police.

We know that Woody but are new licence holders being trained with the 'How' to positively identify ?

It is key in the Arms Code so in essence the shooter ignored the code. I would suggest the law should suspend his/ her licence pending a retest and vetting. Death is permanent and the effect on families from such accidents are severe. I have had four mates killed by other hunters and know of others as well as near misses. Recently I experienced a situation where I let two deer go in early dawn light because visual was marginal. Shortly afterward I spotted a group of poachers who were lying on a ridge directly in line with where those deer crossed. I was still shaken hours later and very glad I had not chanced a shot. Can't be too careful.

Also highlights why I don't carry animals out on my back and always butcher on the spot

Originally Posted by Ftx325

how could you mistake a person for an animal at that range and by the sounds of it through an open area not bush to boot...? WTF
and rarely have I seen a deer on a mountain bike .....

It is a rare occasion indeed. It's also a well known fact that deer are prone never to oil their chains. The resultant squeaking makes them very easy targets... squeak, squeak, bang, kind of thing.

Originally Posted by outlander

It is a rare occasion indeed. It's also a well known fact that deer are prone never to oil their chains. The resultant squeaking makes them very easy targets... squeak, squeak, bang, kind of thing.

I understand the lycra also gives them chafeing issues ... and makes their butts look fat

Originally Posted by Ftx325

I understand the lycra also gives them chafeing issues ... and makes their butts look fat

Oooooh. Living on the edge now!