Shooting Unseen Animal

postoak

AH elite
Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
1,010
Reaction score
1,222
Location
Texas
Media
111
Articles
2
Hunting reports
Africa
5
Member of
NRA Patriot Life member Benefactor Level
Hunted
U.S.A., R.S.A, Namibia
I imagine a number of you have been in the situation where you accidentally killed an animal standing behind another animal. So whose responsible for the cost of the extra animal shot? It's no big deal when talking about an impala, but for something like a buffalo, we are talking about a significant cost.
 
If a hunter adheres to the three basic rules of gun safety:

1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

2. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

And

3. Be sure of your target, and what's beyond it.

Nobody would find themselves in the position of paying the price for shooting something or someone else.
 
I imagine a number of you have been in the situation where you accidentally killed an animal standing behind another animal. ........

Not in Africa.

I have always assumed I would be buying the spare. I have actually never asked.

Can't even imagine not making damned certain of a clear shot on any herd animal; Buffalo, Elephant, etc.

When I watch African hunting videos I cringe at some of the shots taken. (I know plenty of it has to do with the videographers perspective/angle)
Just me.
 
If multiple PHs and trackers don’t see the other animal why should the hunter be able to?
 
Hunter is paying for every animal shot, killed or wounded.
Be certain what is the target, and what is beyond it.

Now, in Europe, where a density of hunters on the ground, during season is higher, much higher then in private hunting concessions or properties in Africa, there have been repeated number of accidental shootings of another hunter (annually). I know for few cases in my relative vicinity.
Interesting thing is, in a few cases a poacher was shot, unseen - hiding in the bush.

Some accidents were due to accidental discharge and unsafe handling, but some have been total careless shooting without checking of what is behind the target, or just shooting to the bush expecting a boar during driven hunts.

In EU, when accidentally shooting a poacher, a hunter will be held legally responsible, "just the same like shooting a human being".
In Africa, (where there is a war on poaching) it may differ or maybe-or-probably not.

The bottom line, do not shoot (or even think about it), unless you are certain what is the target, and what is behind, regardless what others may say (PH or tracker). I am also certain that professional PH or tracker will not give a green light to shoot in uncertain situations, but it does not relieve a hunter from his financial or legal responsibilities. And when it comes to legal responsibility and potential of imprisonment, when in Africa, think twice!

If you draw blood, you will draw money, at least.
 
........ why should the hunter be able to?

A judges view of a hunters actions.
“Mr. Wolfe kept his rifle in a case on the floor of the truck behind his seat and carried ammunition in his pocket. His evidence, which I accept on this point, was that, as they were driving towards their usual parking spot, he observed “movement” in front of him to the right side of the field in the same area where he had observed the two deer the previous day. He ‘abruptly’ stopped the truck, put it in park, left the truck engine idling, and, according to his recollection, said to Mrs. Wolfe “that’s got to be the deer that I saw the day before” (yesterday). Mr. Wolfe, immediately on stopping the truck, stepped out, took hold of his rifle, uncased it, and inserted a bullet in it. He left the driver's door of the truck open and knelt or stood approximately three feet from it. He looked through the scope and saw what he thought was a brown object. He focused on the cross hairs of the scope on this object. Then, according to his testimony, he saw what he thought was the white fur of a deer tail. He assumed that what he was seeing was a deer getting ready to bolt “as they always do” and he fired his rifle.”

“I note, .......... Mr. Wolfe, was solely responsible for the accident.”

The onus is on the guy who pulls the trigger.


Scenario 1.
So, you crawl through the grass approaching a group of rams/bulls/bucks, while you did not keep your eyes locked on the quarry during the approach, you finally get into shooting range.
You are two feet to the left of your PH. Both looking at the Rams spread among the grass and bush.
You have your eyes set on a very good Ram and the PH is watching through the binos. He finally gives you the go ahead after proper assessment.

You are quite willing to shoot but tell him that the vital area is covered by a tree.
The PH turns to you and says, "No, it's not" with the look on his face "you are nuts". Then it dawns on you both, you are each focused on a different Ram.
You re-group and get focused on the "right one". Just lucky.

Scenario 1a
So, if you did pull the trigger on the original call and shoot the "wrong one" do you pay for it?
Who's screw up is it?
Who pulled the trigger?

The hunter pulled the trigger before ensuring the target was the right one.

Scenario 2
If the PH makes an "inches call" on a "per inch price list property" and you have specified your budget/inches limit and he calls the shot and the trophy turns out to be over the limit; It's on him. You pay the lower price.
(Shot in the clear, known animal standing still, all the judging is done by the PH.)
 
Shoot a DGX and you don’t have to worry about a pass through! Lol. Sorry I couldn’t resist!:V Poke:
 
I can't tell you the number of times my PH has told me to shoot and then said "Stop. Don't shoot. Another one's in the way." There is no doubt that if you're staring at an animal through a scope it can be hard to see another animal come into the picture particularly if it's smaller than the one you are aiming at and covered by it.

There are some things you can do to minimize the odds of something like this happening. First, it's always good to look over the scope from time to time just to make sure you have the whole scene. Secondly, either keep the power reasonable on the scope so you have a decent field of view, or don't have an overly powered scope in the first place. You're a hunter, not a sniper. Thirdly, using the right kind of bullet for the game you're chasing may help. I've rarely had a pass through on a buffalo and use triple shocks. finally, it helps to have a good PH.

Having said all of that though, the guy pulling the trigger is responsible for wherever the bullet goes and for whatever it does. The cost is on you. But if it were to happen, you might not want to hunt with that PH in the future.
 
Hunting hartebeest. PH glassed one at some distance in the shade of a tree. I saw it and he gave me the go ahead. I shot and it went down. As we approached he said, "Oh, shit." I asked what had happened and he said it was a female. I thought I was is deep because females are off limits. Not in this case. He admitted it was his mistake and he would pay the landowner. I offered to split the cost but he refused and accepted the blame. He is good friends with the landowner and they settled it.

Later that day we found another good one with a much clearer shot and it became my trophy.

I have never experienced anything like that before or since and it sure goes against tradition. He didn't have to admit blame and could have let me suffer the consequences. I guess it has to do with the fact we have hunted together for some years and we have a good relationship, mutual trust and a bond.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,636
Messages
1,131,711
Members
92,726
Latest member
IsmaelMorg
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top