Mr. RiverOtter; I�ve been present on two occasions when shotguns discharged as they were being un-cocked with a live round in the chamber.
The first time was a Russian Baikal single shot and the 2nd time was a Mossberg bolt action. The first time was when I was very young and it happened to me, the 2nd time it happened to another hunter who did it behind me without me knowing it was being done. Both times a safe muzzle direction saved me, but still scared me spitless.
Suffice it to say it is a topic I cover very thoroughly when I teach gun handling in CORE.
When I hunt with anyone else, which unless it�s our daughters is pretty rare, I insist the person I�m with has a cold chamber. In my work I�ve done far too many accident investigations to believe that the vagaries of life will never catch up to me. I�m just not that lucky.
When I hunt down here in the Okanagan, not only is the rifle empty but it�s often slung, as I find I glass better with two hands.
As you know down here, we can bump into whitetail or mule deer, elk, moose, California Bighorn, goats, bears and a few species of range animals too. Since we have gender and on most animals point restrictions as well, one has a bit of identifying to do before proceeding.
If the piece of ear or leg that I�ve spotted turns into a legal animal, I then heat up the chamber and do my best to empty it into the animal. I�ll note that about half the time I hunt with a Number One and the rest of the time a bolt gun of some description. Both actions can be used with about the same amount of elapsed time I believe.
While I�m sure my method has perhaps cost me a deer or two, I can�t really complain too loudly as our red meat seems to come off the mountain for the most part.
I suppose it might be a regional thing as well, but for us here in the mountains with the shin-tangle and such it has been a safe and productive way for us to hunt.
Good luck on all your upcoming hunts and especially those with your daughter. Good on you for taking her out!
