Got this first hand account from a member of another forum:
RWP said:Well, I've seen lots of things in my life, and what I saw yesterday, is one that I can do without,and hope I never see again!! Now mind you, in my life's journey, I've covered stories in war zones, seen folks shot and stabbed, but to see it when your participating in a sport that you done and loved all your life... it really takes the wind out of your sail!
I'm in Saskatchewan, doing a film for an outfitter that wanted some of his hunts on video. Yesterday morning like many hunts I've been on in Canada, the hunting was awsome.... snows and dark geese were hitting the dekes at first light. The group of four hunters, outfitter and 3 of his friends, were in laydown blinds 10 yards in front of me, I was in a laydown blind running the camera.
During a lull of the action, the outfitter decided to make a move of the rig, since some of the birds were favoring the right side... three of them got out of their blind, one remained. It is unknown if he was sleeping, or just did not want to help move the rig, the story has changed a couple of times
Anyhow, I got out of my blind to get some B-roll on them moving things around, and the dog cleaning up on some birds that had fallen in the distance... all good.
Well, here comes a lone snow, right at the rig, I'm filming the dog, and hear the shot go off and actually have it on film going off, all while keeping the camera on the dog.
I had looked to my left for a second to see where the goose was to go, but instead as the shot is fired, I see one of the hunters fall to the ground, dust flying all around him. He just dropped!! The outfitter screams S*$&T! The guy that dropped is his best friend.... The guy shot, says, I'VE BEEN SHOT!!
I click off the camera and run to his side... along with the outfitter, another hunter in the group (latter I found out he was a paramedic!! thank God)
We quickly start to asses his condition... the guy was brave, man!! He took two or three to the face, none to the eyes, just an inch down.... was bleeding like crazy. I was worried that one had gone up his nasal passage and lodge near the optic nerve, or worse.... so I had him follow my finger to asses his pupil reaction and to see if he reacted well, yes he did...
The paramedic, concentrated on his torso.... we took his shirt off to see if any pellets hit any vitals, three were in the right area, abdomen, spleen, and heart area... we worried lung shot... we asked if he had any shortness off breath, none-- good!
His legs , where the main part of the pattern hit were bleeding bad. We now worried about femoral artery, and bleeding to death in a barren field...
He complained about the burning near his manhood and was worried about damage there
Lucky guy, Mr. Happy and the twins , were not hit. Although the pattern was all nearby!!
BTW, seeing that the medic knew his stuff-- I resumed filming at this point, and did not do the looking ...
The guy that shot him (his friend) was not helping much, in fact, we told him to help us getting the victim undressed!!
The outfitter ran to get the truck, and we quickly transported him to a nearby Hospital!
21 pellets hit him, some passed through.... 18 remain in his body. Face, torso, thighs, shins, and hands. One is close to a nerve on his finger, possible long lasting damage there...
I'm numb about all this, although it was not my gig, and all I was doing was filming, and none of these fellas were buddies of mine, I still could not help but be totally saddened by all this....
I stayed in the field to pick up the rig, knowing they were not returning for some hours... I walked to the shooter and asked him if he was a Christian, he said yes... So I asked him to pray for his friend.... at that point we did not know if he was to live or what?
We were picked up some time later, I asked to be brought to the hospital to see him...
At the emergency room, I stayed with the victim while they worked on his wounds, and while the outfitter brought the shooter to the local authorities...
We talked about the event, his family, his kids... how close they came to not have their father.... You know, a really FUN conversation... He thanked me for running to his side and taking care of him.... How could I NOT take care of him ...
Funny, all the emergency medical courses I was required to take, when getting my Capt's license came in handy!!
Anyhow, after some assessment by the docs, they wanted to keep him for observation, but he wanted to leave--- and get a beer!
We urged him to get a flight home and see his doctor... his recovery is gonna be a long one!!
I told him I have all on film, and that someday, we can offer it to hunter safety courses... he thought that was a good idea....
I have to say, this man's composure was unbelievable! I dubbed him the Man of Steel!!:h
So be careful out there and hunt safe....
Epilogue: Apparently, the shooter, did not have the safety on the gun. When he saw the lone goose coming , he reached for his weapon and put his finger on the trigger, all while trying to bring the gun to his shoulder. Off course, the closing of his hand, touched the trigger and the gun fired!
A total foolish thing to do! He did not follow basic safety procedure. I was under the impression that all the hunters were experienced, come to find out, that shooter was on his first goose hunt...
This am, he has to appear in front of a judge, hope they take away his gun, license, and give him a hefty fine...
I was not impressed with his reaction after the fact... his lack of help, and stepping up was poor in my eyes!!
I'm in a tough spot, since I just came to be a video witness, and not a legal one....
I feel horrible for the outfitter, he's a dandy guy, and now he has to deal with this mess. He , the medic, and the victim, are guys that one would be proud to hunt with anytime... the shooter-- was just that. A shooter and NOT a hunter!!
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