The owner of the property said that Whittington was heading out to join up with the hunting party (so wasn't "with" the hunting party). She also said he was hit from a range of about 30 yards. In tall grass and brush that's quite a ways to be seen and heard.
Of course as a shooter you need to always be aware of what's around you, so perhaps this is no excuse. But, it does change my perception of the accident quite a bit.
We don't need any statements from people that were there. It is far more fun to just make stuff up.(/sarcasm)
"Of course as a shooter you need to always be aware of what's around you, so perhaps this is no excuse."
No 'perhaps' about it. There's no excuse for discharging your weapon without first knowing where your hunting party is. As us "conservatives" have preached on this site for years, the gun isn't responsible - the person holding the gun is.
In this case, it's Cheney who is responsible. He should've known where Whittington was at all times.
Cheney screwed up. No arguing around it.
I am surprised, though, that his Secret Service guys didn't warn him. I would think they would keep track of where other hunters with guns were