Anyone ever have a close call, or worse?

While hunting with a buddy we were almost hit by stray bullets. We were crossing a creek when we heard something (didn't know at first that it was a bullet) and saw it strike 2 feet up the bank from us.

When we realized what was going on we moved out of the line of fire and headed up the creek to see what was going on. Found a guy about 400 yards up the creek sighting in his deer rifle. He had no idea anyone else was there.

Dallas Jack
 
A buddy of mine and I came up on a bear once with our a air rifles. He/she was pretty mad and we backed up slowly.
 
I was out sighting in a new Ruger M77 in .223 that I'd just bought. I was using a sand wash with a bend that provided a bank for a safe backstop, when all of a sudden a couple of GI's opened up with semi-auto .22's at the top of the hill above me. .22 bullets were zinging all around me, and I ducked into the truck for cover. I yelled, and the shooting continued. I shot once with the .223 (toward the bank behind my target), and the shooting continued. I finally yelled that I was fixing to shoot back when they finally realized I was there, and they took off.

A little while later, they came back to make sure I was ok. I was, but we had a nice little talk about shooting safely.

No harm, no foul, and hopefully they learned something from it.

Daryl
 
I was about 17, out mending some barbed wire fencing on the center section of our well posted property when I heard the bang and saw bark fly off the tree about two feet away from me.

I hit the ground and started yelling "stop shooting, I'm not a <blasted> deer".

A few minutes later this guy came over to apologize and make sure I was alright, he was DRUNK beyond belief. I was so mad grabbed his gun out of his hands and threw it in the nearby creek just as my dad showed up to see what had happened.

Thought my dad was gonna kill the guy right there on the spot but we dragged him back up to the house and held him there until the sheriff arrived.

I was nothing but angry until we went back down to the creek for the shotgun (evidence) and then it dawned on me how close that had been and I threw up at least once that I remember.
 
Nope.

I think it's important that someone chime in for the majority by simply answer "No." While it's good to hear the stories to learn the lessons and hunt safely, I think it's equally important that readers know these are rare exceptions to what most find to be a great and safe experience.

Glad you're all safe, either way.
 
Nope, unless you call biffing a black bear with bearspray, after surprising him on his gutpile supper. That stuff is nasty, but worked. Had to take MY clothes off at the truck. Always carry full coveralls in the truck for emergency tire changes in bad weather thank God.
 
Not me either as far as firearms incidents goes.

I have had more close calls with equipment failures and uncooperative horses than anything else while hunting.
 
Not sure it counts as "close call", but I have been scoped a lot. In Oregon, it is legal to hunt bear with a rifle during archery season. Lot of times, as I am still hunting with my bow through the bottom of a hole, there is someone sitting on the landing above, watching me through thier scope.

Makes me nuts, and it is the one hunting reg that I think absolutely needs to be changed before a bow hunter gets shot for impersonating a bear.

There is also the aspect of a LOT of rifle shooting during this time, at least where we hunt, for very few bears killed. Cynical people might think that the rifle elk hunters are making it as hard as possible for the bow hunters by "bear hunting". But no one would really do that, would they :rolleyes:
 
I've had shots come VERY close to me on two different occasions, both while deer hunting. In neither case was I visible to the shooter. Spooky!
 
Bout 6 years ago I had buckshot whistle over my head once as someone shot at movement (me). I was wearing a full orange vest and hat at the time. I dove for cover when it happened. The person immediately realized what had happened and ran for their everloving life as I was picking myself up off the dirt. Wonder if it had anything to do with me coming up muzzle first :confused:? I don't react well to being shot at.

Last year I took a well publicized tumble from a tree stand. This is the biggest source of hunting injuries and deaths. I've since been certified as a Hunters' Ed instructor and hopefully can keep others from repeating that mistake.

Be careful up there.
 
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:eek:

Gawd Redneck, I'm traumatized just by reading that. I sorry you had to go through that ordeal. Are you still in rehab? I don't know how I missed that post the first time though, but I extend my sympathys.
 
Nope. I'm good now. Don't really have much pain anymore. Some soreness and stiffness now and then. I'm back to doing all the things I was doing before the accident. I am WAY more careful about treestands now, though and I am harnessed from the time my feet leave the ground.
 
I think it's important that someone chime in for the majority by simply answer "No." While it's good to hear the stories to learn the lessons and hunt safely, I think it's equally important that readers know these are rare exceptions to what most find to be a great and safe experience.

Glad you're all safe, either way.
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement, even though I posted about one experience above.

A person has to realise that this was one exception that happened during a lifetime of hunting, shooting, hiking, fishing, and otherwise spending a great deal of time outdoors.

I've had far more "close calls" while driving, and my wife driving to work scares me a heck of a lot more than her going out in the hills hunting with me.

Daryl
 
As part of our Hunter Education Instructor's commitment, we attend a Hunter Instructor's workshop to review the previous season's successes. We review a three state area in detail as well as general look at all states, including Alaska and Hawaii. When compared to past years, all states have seen and maintained a marked improvement. Most of the incidents could have been avioded but there are always some that just don't make sense and could happen again. The DNR's performs a CSI type investigation and hardly miss any details. All is documented and available to the public. Not sure of your agenda or point of departure but while making the measure, measure the successes. :confused:
For example, last year we lost more kids to baseball accidents than hunting accidents.


Be Safe !!!
 
Me and a buddy were squirrel hunting on a ridge. We kept hearing zings and things flying thru the limbs and branches above us. Then some hitting leaves and trees closer to us. We took cover and yelled down the hollar. Turns out 2 teenagers were down there with 22 shorts plinking. When we politely confronted them. They made their way up to apologise. I think they were better off for having us up there. We educated them on hunting safety and that bullets don't just stop where they were shooting. Luckly no one was hurt with that lesson. They acted humbled.

Also, walked upon a big black bear on the way to my bow stand one morning when I was about 16. Got to within 7 yards or so before I realized what it was. I was using the moonlight to get to my stand. It wasn't until I turnede on the mini-mag to see it was a bear. It turns out the best way to get a bear to turn and run over everything in their path, is ti yell "OH CRAP".
 
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