2009.01.16
Anyone know any hunting mishap victims from 2008?
Those of you who follow my reporting in The Roanoke Times know it's probable deer hunters will set a new record this year.
At the same time, hunters (and not just deer hunters) were achieving a more dubious accomplishment. They didn't set a record for accidents and fatalities, but it was among the worst years in some time.
I'm working on a story on this, and would like to talk with at least a couple of folks who were involved in accidents. I can get names through sheriff's offices, the DGIF law enforcement divisions, etc. But if any of you know names, that would help.
Also, I'm sure someone has to know the name of the guy in Botetourt who got hurt by the wounded bear. Even though that wasn't an official hunting accident, I'd like to talk with him, too.
No need to post them here. In fact, I'd rather not have the names here. Just send me a confidential e-mail (click on my name in my bio to the right).
Thanks.
I know a gentlemen who was involved in a close call. A guy hunting behind him nearly shot him but luckily he missed. I don't know if that would count or not. If you want his info just let me know.
Comment by Tommy Nunley — January 16, 2009 @ 10:43 am
Because I'm looking for people who actually made this official report, I'll have to pass on that one, Tommy. But thanks.
BTW, I know kind of how that feels, although I wasn't shot at intentionally. A few years ago a photographer and I were in a two-stand set in a tree at Fairystone WMA doing a story on a wheelchair-bound hunter when another hunter walked in from below us and shot up the hill at a deer that was between us and him. The bullet whizzed through the trees near us. It was probably 50 feet away, but it was still scary. Funny, but that photographer hasn't been too eager to go on a hunt with me since then.
Thanks again, Tommy.
mt
Comment by marktaylor — January 16, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Anytime Mark! I didn't think that was what you were after but I thought I would mention it. I'm always happy to help but I'm glad I don't know anyone who was actually hurt!
-Amen to that. The thing is, most of us don't know someone who was in a serious accident. Even though there were more fatalities than normal (and one is too many), the rate is still very low. mt
Comment by Tommy Nunley — January 16, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Game Warden Citations: Deer poaching, illegal netting of trout, over limit of ducks, Shooting deer decoy just to name a few. My sister being a nurse told me of a man being shot in the shoulder by a hunter thinking he was a Squirrel my sister said the shooter was a drunken fool..
And a story of a 4yr old girl was killed when a hunter shot at a deer running towards some mobile homes. Yet according to the news this hunting season their were 9 hunting fatalities 2 were of suspicious nature.
For all our advances and hunting regalia we still have those that ignore safety procedures or feel they are above the law.
Excuse me Mark, my only thoughts is my condolences to the family and to hell with these so-called outdoorsman. They are just criminals.
Comment by Static Lines — January 17, 2009 @ 7:59 pm
Submarine Sailor acts fast to save Officer's life.
http://www.kingsbayperiscope.com/images/021909/48686_400.jpg
Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Caleb Auten's recollections of that crisp, clear December night at sea are still vivid. A million stars shined brightly with no city lights to soften their gleam.
The air temperature, he recalled, was perfect - not too hot and not too cold - it was just a pleasant evening standing mid-watch lookout aboard the USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740).
For a few short minutes that "seemed like an eternity," the situation turned to what Auten and others would later refer to as a scene in a horror movie. In the end, Petty Officer Auten would lead life-saving efforts that have earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, which states:
"In the face of adversity, he demonstrated the maturity, level-headedness, and dedication of a true submarine hero … Auten's accomplishments, initiative, perseverance, and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
It happened when weapons officer Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Lord's radio lanyard caught itself in the rotating radar mast.
"I was watching a contact in the binoculars when the weapon's officer got my attention and said he thought he was caught," Auten recalled. "I noticed the lanyard had got caught on the radar mast. I reached over to grab it to jerk it loose but it had already spun around - twice. He (Lord) got one hand in before it pulled completely tight."
Unable to free Lord, Auten's first move was to dive from the lookout station under the main part of the bridge to where the officer of the deck stands. He yelled down under the bridge trunk to secure, rotate and radiate on the radar.
He yelled again, as loud as he could.
Auten reached for the bridge bag in searching frantically for something to cut Lord loose with. By this time, Auten noticed Lord's feet were coming off the deck.
"I didn't have time to be scared. There were too many thoughts all through my mind, all at once," Auten said. "I knew if I didn't get that radar stopped it was going to be a very bad situation."
The radar operator heard Auten's calls, stopping the rotation. But by that time Lord was pulled on the top of the sail and was bent backwards, his legs caught on the visual display.
"It was such a horrible angle that I thought I'd already stopped it too late," Auten said. "I grabbed him to see if he was alright and realized he was not even awake anymore."
"His body was trying to breath but it couldn't. I grabbed the loudspeaker again and told them to send someone to the bridge with a knife … I was holding the weapon officer's legs to relieve pressure off his throat to loosen it enough so he could get some air. It seemed like an eternity to me."
Finally, help came in the form of a chief with a knife. Lord was lowered and regained consciousness and started breathing right away. By this time, the EMT team had arrived on the scene.
"Petty Officer Auten's life-saving actions of immediately summoning help to the bridge in the middle of the night and stabilizing my weapons officer's condition after he was strangled were absolutely heroic," said Cmdr. Mark M. Marty, Commanding Officer, USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740)(Gold).
Auten said submariner training was responsible for his quick and flawless reaction.
"I believe the training they've put us through in thinking as quickly as possible and paying attention to details definitely helped a lot in my reaction time," he said.
Lord said he couldn't agree more.
"It's the mark of the submarine sailor, being able to respond to an anew situation. It just shows how well they are trained to react to situations," Lord said. "I'm very grateful for Petty Officer Auten, and I'm mostly grateful he's qualified for submarines, meaning that he has completed a rigorous training process that prepares him for things like this."
Auten was presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal by Commander Squadron 16/20, Capt. Daniel Mack, at Refit Wharf 2 near the waterfront Feb. 13.
"I'm not sure I would have had the presence of mind to do what Petty Officer Auten did," Mack said. "We often read about life-saving heroics in our heritage. Today, Petty Officer Auten, you join that heritage."
Sometimes we need acknowledge those that make our way of life possible through the acts of heroism for our extended family.
Comment by Static Lines — February 22, 2009 @ 8:30 am