Polokwane hunt almost ends tragically

[Boela]

Another accident that almost took a life.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...n-to-hospital-after-hunting-accident-20160810

 

[Patrick R]

"...The man, who is in his forties, was part of a group staying in a lodge near Northam in Limpopo. They were in the hunting camp on Tuesday when someone, allegedly the daughter of one of the members of the group, knocked over a hunting rifle, Netwerk24 reported.

The bullet hit the man in the face..."


Loaded weapon in camp...

 

[PeteG]

"...The man, who is in his forties, was part of a group staying in a lodge near Northam in Limpopo. They were in the hunting camp on Tuesday when someone, allegedly the daughter of one of the members of the group, knocked over a hunting rifle, Netwerk24 reported.

The bullet hit the man in the face..."


Loaded weapon in camp...

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Boela]

It is difficult to fathom that something like this still happens, especially inside a camp. It remains difficult to license a firearm in SA after completing all the necessary courses and exams, should an investigation be launched some tough question will need to be answered.
I sincerely hope that the girl that accidently bumped the rifle over is not scarred for life.

As the saying goes...."Check, re-check and check again..."

 

[Clayton]

We hope for the best for all involved. And maybe learn something to help avoid such tragedies ourselves.

 

[cpr0312]

Very scary stuff there, prayers for all involved.

We hope for the best for all involved. And maybe learn something to help avoid such tragedies ourselves.

Well said Clayton

 

[lcq]

On my first Africa hunt I rented the PH's rifle. I was absolutely paranoid about unloading it or leaving it unchambered till ready to shoot. Partially because it had a hinky safety but mostly because the PH almost always walks in front. I recall one morning hunt when I pulled the gun out of the truck to begin our hunt and out of habit opened the bolt to check, lo and behold it was loaded, not a confidence builder.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Wonder why you want to be alone in camp?

 

[thi9elsp]

I hope the hunter comes out of this ok. I always try to repeat my process: unload the rifle with the barrel pointed at the ground, confirm to the guide/PH the chamber is empty, slide the bolt over the cartridges in the magazine while they watch, dry fire and then put the rifle away (case, scabbard, etc).

 

[farrokhrt]

On my first Africa hunt I rented the PH's rifle. I was absolutely paranoid about unloading it or leaving it unchambered till ready to shoot. Partially because it had a hinky safety but mostly because the PH almost always walks in front. I recall one morning hunt when I pulled the gun out of the truck to begin our hunt and out of habit opened the bolt to check, lo and behold it was loaded, not a confidence builder.

Scary! Imagining the situation makes hair stand up back of my neck. One reason I don't like using others' guns or a gun that has not been under my control.

 

[lcq]

I hope the hunter comes out of this ok. I always try to repeat my process: unload the rifle with the barrel pointed at the ground, confirm to the guide/PH the chamber is empty, slide the bolt over the cartridges in the magazine while they watch, dry fire and then put the rifle away (case, scabbard, etc).

unload and show clear, hammer down, holster

 

[sestoppelman]

On a similar vein, I notice a lot of trophy shots here and elsewhere where the rifle is often pointing at the lucky hunter usually with the bolt closed! Bolt should be open when the shooting is done.

 

[edward]

no such thing as being tooooooo safe!!!!!

 

[CAustin]

As mentioned I always unload my weapon as soon as the shooting is done! I then point the rifle away from every possible body and let off the trigger!
Sad to hear that someone has been hurt this way

 

[Hank2211]

When next you're sitting around a campfire with your PH, ask him (or her!) about accidental discharges. They occur far more often than you would think, and often, the same person has more than one on the same hunt!

There seems to be something about Africa which lulls some people into a feeling of invincibility.

 

[Pheroze]

On a similar vein, I notice a lot of trophy shots here and elsewhere where the rifle is often pointing at the lucky hunter usually with the bolt closed! Bolt should be open when the shooting is done.

I am paranoid about crap getting into the chamber or barrel I have a hard time leaving it open. So, my habit is to unload and close the bolt uncocked. If I get into a vehicle I check again. If I hand the gun over to someone I pop the bolt open.

I have tried to make a habit of checking the chamber whenever I transfer from one "space" to another. I figure good habits will ultimately save me.

 

[Alexandro Faria]

Back after a leave of absence. I agree with a quite a few things stated already, in short, one can never be too safe. I too don't like having my bolt open, for the same reasons as stated. It's not worth the risk, walking around with one in the chamber. Chamber when you find your animal, put on your safety, get in front and keep that rifle in hand and the barrel in a safe direction. This is also one of the reasons I'm becoming more and more fond of break-necks. I find it easier doing 30-40k's a day with a gun broken over my shoulder than I do with a sling. Be careful out there, ladies and gents.

 

[Odinsraven]

My business is Weapons Safety sorry for getting on the preaching .....when I unload at the end of the day ...The bolt comes out stays out and is not replaced past the clearing point on the way into camp ....

One place I culled whose name I cannot remember got my lecture etc day one

Did not go down well but I am alive and approaching 50 ........day 4 another client in camp put a round through the ceiling of his hut .......

375 solid .....

Next morning I got a professional gig lecturing and putting procedures in place ......

Paid with a very nice bottle of Klipdrift reserve xo ...which reminds me it is Friday the blonde is not home ...and it is not empty ............. seriously bolt in rifle should be no where near each other in camp .....

I hear stories on negligent discharge on a daily basis from Police and Military .....However when the guys in Africa tell me stories and I see bullet holes in trucks ..... scares the shit out of me ..

Several years ago had a Euro PH ....who carried a rifle for Boar hunting lunchtime first day clear the rifle and leave it in the truck .....I don't want to see the hole in the barrel this trip AGAIN. Or take me to the airport .....I really don't mind either


He is now a good friend

 

[Hank2211]

My business is Weapons Safety sorry for getting on the preaching .....when I unload at the end of the day ...The bolt comes out stays out and is not replaced past the clearing point on the way into camp ....

One place I culled whose name I cannot remember got my lecture etc day one

Did not go down well but I am alive and approaching 50 ........day 4 another client in camp put a round through the ceiling of his hut .......

375 solid .....

Next morning I got a professional gig lecturing and putting procedures in place ......

Paid with a very nice bottle of Klipdrift reserve xo ...which reminds me it is Friday the blonde is not home ...and it is not empty ............. seriously bolt in rifle should be no where near each other in camp .....

I hear stories on negligent discharge on a daily basis from Police and Military .....However when the guys in Africa tell me stories and I see bullet holes in trucks ..... scares the shit out of me ..

Several years ago had a Euro PH ....who carried a rifle for Boar hunting lunchtime first day clear the rifle and leave it in the truck .....I don't want to see the hole in the barrel this trip AGAIN. Or take me to the airport .....I really don't mind either


He is now a good friend

Odinsraven, you make a very good point.

I used the term "accidental discharge", which is the "term of art" I think, for these things. In fact, you hear them called "ADs" in Africa, as well as here in North America.

You, though, used the term "negligent discharge", which I think is far more accurate and descriptive.

Calling something "accidental" implies a lack of fault, or an inability to have impacted the situation. In the case of a discharge of a gun, I would suggest there are only two possible modes: Intentional and negligent. Even if your gun has a mechanical problem which causes the discharge, if there is ever anyone or anything put at unintentional risk, it is because you have been negligent.

Perhaps if we started calling ADs what they really are - negligent discharges - we'd focus people's minds on their responsibility when handling firearms.

 

[BRICKBURN]

It is an apt distinction. I think there are both AD and ND situations, but the individual on the receiving end will not care or be focused on the distinction.

I have experienced two discharges while carrying my grandfathers shotgun. Both times my compulsiveness about safe gun handling saved anyone from harm. I have sworn to never take this firearm into the field again.

The last AD I had was with another shotgun. With thirty people around me in various directions and two dogs working I had the shotgun discharge when I closed it while it was pointed at the ground in a safe direction. The people around me were all startled and quite scared. The discharge drove the top lever back and imbedded it into my hand about an inch.
I broke the action open, kept the wound closed and headed to the hospital.
The forensics review of the firearm found a small piece of metal had broken off a fatigued nut on the firing pin spring. Somehow, it allowed the firing pin to release on closing the shotgun.
All fixed now, thankfully.
I hold on to the shotgun a lot tighter when I close the action for some reason.

Like Scott, I cringe and shake my head every time I see a trophy picture with the barrel pointing at someone (loaded, unloaded, who knows, the bolt is closed) Don't care, don't point a firearm at people.

Watching barrels of firearms being passed back and forth across the legs or backs of PH's and trackers in videos as hunters go through the bush nearly makes my heart stop.

Thankfully, I have not had any ND's and I hope to keep it that way and if there are more AD's in my life I will always have that firearm pointed in a safe direction.