[MineralMan]

"I'm sorry, but the vast majority of hunting accideents don't just happen. They are usually the fault of either poor firearms handling or poor field safety. From what I have read, it was a disorgainzed scramble into the field after two coveys. It was stupid to flush the second covey until everyone was back in position from the first covey."

---

Yes. I've never hunted quail in Texas, but in the California chaparral, I've hunted them many, many times.

My dad, who taught me to hunt, had a rule about quail hunting. All the people in the party had to stay in an even line with each other. If someone fell behind, the hunt stopped.

Second rule: If a bird flushes and flies over your head and behind, that bird is gone. No shots were to be taken except ahead of the hunters. Period. No whirling and firing.

When crossing barbed wire fences, shotguns were safed and handed to one of the hunters. The others crossed the fence. The gun holder carefully handed the guns over the fence to the others, along with his own, then crossed. On the other side, everyone retrieve his own gun and the hunt proceeded.

When a covey flushed and shots were fired, if someone had downed a bird or birds, the hunt stopped while that bird was retrieved. We didn't hunt with dogs.

I cannot imagine a circumstance where I could have "accidentally" shot another member of our party. No way.

[dirtboy]

I tell you what, after some of the responses I've seen on this subject, this might be a good time to make an inventory of "freepers I would never go hunting with".

[MeanWestTexan]

There is some cross-shooting when hunting with vehicles, as it appears was being done here (old WWII-style jeeps usually).

The key is to aim in flight, so your shots go above the opposite side.

If one chooses to so hunt, peppering is somewhat inevitable, and protective clothing is required.

I've done this; it's not my favorite, but it is common.

[MeanWestTexan]

Scratch my last reply, I just read more details of the accident.

(And no, I was not endorsing cross-shooting at distance; merely observing that it is common.)

[HawaiianGecko]

 

I cannot imagine a circumstance where I could have "accidentally" shot another member of our party. No way.

I can imagine how someone can be shot in your party.  You are obviously certain that your rules for hunting work 100% of the time.  That is EXACTLY how accidents happen.  You rely on your rules and that's a good thing. 

The problem arises when people think they have a solution that works 100% of the time. As an engineer I know that is impossible in any system.  No bridge is built that cannot fail, but the risks can be minimized to the point that your will build it and use it.  One cannot be 100% sure when changing lanes that in that moment between checking your blind spot and maneuvering, a motorcycle hasn't suddenly occupied that spot.

Rules and systems are developed to minimize risk and costs. Hunting is no different. The only way to ensure you won't be shot when hunting is to not go hunting.