Get off your high horse judge fishhead. No I'm not joking. It's called self defense. It has nothing to do with hunting. If someone points a gun at me, I'm going to shoot back. I'm gunna identify whatever's pointed at me and if what looks like a gun is still pointed at me I'm going to defend myself. That rig looks like a gun and scope. I hunt in areas where cartels are sporting AK's and SKS's. You don't point guns, or [bleep] that look like guns, at people--thats in all safty gun classes.
No, shooting at something you BELIEVE to be a rifle that's pointed at you is NOT self defense. It's attempted murder, or murder if you connect.
If you even return fire at a rifle that's shot in your direction, that's still not automatic self defense. Could very well be the hunter is firing at a critter in front of or behind you and just hasn't seen you. Again, if you return fire that would be attempted murder or murder on YOUR part.
Danged sure glad you don't hunt anywhere near me.
