Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Hunter Shot and Killed in Colorado

https://www.skyhinews.com/news/auth...s-in-last-weeks-fatal-shooting-incident/

This is a terrible story from where I live. Reportedly the hunters were in a parking area. One was loading his rifle. I'm told it was a bolt action .270 Winchester (brand unknown) with detachable magazine. The hunter reportedly inserted the magazine, then closed the bolt, and the rifle fired when the bolt closed. He said his finger was not inside the trigger guard. His friend was standing about 30 feet away, facing away, and was shot in the left back/chest. The rifle has been sent to be analyzed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to see if it will fire when the bolt is closed, without pressure on the trigger. We all know however that keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction would have prevented this death. We all know the rules...

Very sad.

And recently a man driving his vehicle was shot when his dog in the back seat discharged a loaded gun in the back seat.

Never point the weapon at something you don't want to destroy. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Treat every gun as if it is loaded.

Another reason to hunt with the weapon cold and the bolt closed on an empty chamber. I've typically always hunted with a hot chamber and safety on, but I am starting to rethink my position.

I never hunt with a hot chamber, why some insist on it is beyond me.

I never chamber a round while walking in or out of my hunting area. I insist anyone with me do the same. Walking around in the brush with a loaded chamber is also a recipe for disaster. Sadly the shot can’t be called back.😔

Didn't want to restart the hot vs. cold carry debate...but it seems clear that the same accident could have happened anytime this man chambered a round. Waiting until one sees game to chamber a round won't prevent an accident if one doesn't keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction and doesn't keep the finger off of the trigger until on target an ready to shoot. Hearing about this shooting led me to review and reflect on my own safety practices. Humans are fallible. I think that scrupulous adherence to the 4 Rules is without doubt the way to prevent accidents, whether we choose to carry with a round in the chamber or not. If the 4 Rules are followed it is impossible to accidentally shoot someone.

Quite a few 'accidental' shootings while hunting in MT this year - Hunting Accidents

So, he shot his buddy 30ft away in the back. Accident, no. Negligent, maybe. Maybe something else.

Agree, very sad, I cannot imagine the pain this will cause.

Check his and widows cell phone records....

Not good for anyone

Very sad, all way around. Thanks for heads up riverdog. Just down the road from the ranch.

Remington Model 700?

Terribly sad news. Prayers on the way

Pathetic.

This is a terrible thing, but for those who won't have a round chambered while hunting do you do the same thing with your shotguns while hunting?

Perhaps... Stranger things have happened. Guess I have been watching too many Law & Order reruns.

Yeah, the difference is, this is a person, a man with a family, and a friend who will have to live with this.

I talked to a long time officer who is involved in the investigation. Like most in his field he is naturally suspicious and assumes the worst. The Sheriff’s Office conducted a homicide investigation and they are still analyzing evidence but there is no indication that this was intentional.

Shot in back 30 feet away, angle of rifle, etc. leads me to believe the perp was the most reckless firearm handler around or worse. Negligent homicide immediately comes to mind. No such thing as an “accident “ like this. Unintentional yes, accidental no. I feel sorry for the families involved.