By Glen Wunderlich Outdoor Columnist Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
A September 29th report of a Florida hunter being shot by an arrow is sad; being that it was the hunter’s friend who shot him makes it worse. The shooter said that he shot an arrow from his treestand into some palmetto bushes about 10 yards away, thinking it was a deer that was hidden by the bushes. Instead, his partner was shot through the forearm with the arrow passing through and puncturing his lower back.
Fish and Wildlife spokesman, Stan Kirkland, said of the incident: “If there’s any positives to take out of this, it’s the message that whether you’re hunting with a bow and arrow or a firearm, always identify your target.” No doubt, these are wise words. But, the mindset that led to this “accident” needs further review.
What was so important about the archer’s chance to kill a deer that he almost killed his hunting partner? Certainly it couldn’t have been antlers that compelled him to shoot into the bushes. It had to be simply the prospect of killing a deer. Any deer, no matter the odds.
As mentioned last week, a sportsman must pass on all but the best opportunities and never risks the long-term consequences of attempting low-percentage shots. The only conclusion that can be drawn from the hunter’s error is that he is no sportsman – given the true meaning of the word. After all, he had taken a shot at his friend – unintentional to be sure – but still he allowed his thoughts of success to overrule sense.
If the movement in the bushes had actually been a deer, just what part of the deer was his target? If he imagined a deer in front of him, he must have imagined a kill shot, too. Or, did he?
Most likely he was shooting for center mass, and in so doing, violated all rules of marksmanship afield. Spokesman Kirkland states the obvious when he said, “always identify your target.” But, what I am stating is that a sportsman, goes well beyond recognizing his target.
Anyone good at marksmanship, doesn’t just shoot at a target. There is a thought process that involves identifying a specific aiming point. The next step is to develop a keen level of concentration that permits focusing the crosshairs, other sighting device or technique to that precise location, while gently squeezing the trigger (or string release aid for most archers.) And, while pressure is slowly being applied to the trigger, the marksman is able to tell you exactly where the crosshairs, or chosen sights are, when the gun goes off or the arrow is released, because that’s what he was watching. A good shooter always knows precisely where his hold was when surprised by the moment of firing.
The Florida archer did none of this. Yet, had his target actually been a deer, what would have been the result is anybody’s guess. But, chances are there would have been one more wounded deer that would have gone to waste all because of a lack of ethical values.
We have to be better than the Florida archer or we run the risk of more backlash and loss of hunting privileges we currently enjoy. And, that’s no shot in the dark.
