http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_k0700_1124_2004.pdfSome key facts:
Texas Hunting Accident Profile
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- Violated Cardinal Rule of Safety
- If not self inflicted --
swung shotgun on game outside safe zone of fire- Had over 10 years of hunting experience
- Distance of muzzle to wound was within 50 yards,
mostly within 10 yards- Accident occurred
towards dusk2004 Significant Factors
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- Many violations for "failure to take hunter education course"
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Swinging on game outside of a safe zone of fire is still the primary accident type- Higher aged shooters involved in 2004 hunting incidents
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Violations of law common among accident scenarios
Statistics
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29 Hunting accidents in 2004
Less than 0.003% of licensed hunters had accidents in 2004!!!!
5 Quail hunting accidents in 2004
33% of 2004 accidents were from covering the victim while swinging outside the safe firing zone (what Cheney did)
Select Quail Accident Reports
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Jan-10, 60 year old male hunter: Victim, who was the guide, was covered by shooter swinging on game outside of his safe zone of fire.
Nov-5, 62 year old male hunter: Victim was covered by shooter swinging on game outside of his safe zone of fire.
Nov-11, 24 year old male hunter: Victim was covered by shooter swinging on game outside of his safe zone of fire.
Shooter was in violation of the hunter education law.
How Cheney was Reckless
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Always stay within a safe zone of fire; communicate with hunting companions, know where others are positioned at all times, obey all laws; attend a hunter education course.
There IS NEVER A CASE OF THE VICTIM MOVING INTO THE LINE OF FIRE.