BLAMING CHENEY
Jonah Goldberg
The Corner
Again, I take no sides on who is to blame for the accident as I know nothing about proper hunting procedure and people on both sides make a strong case (though it seems fair to go by the general rule that whoever pulled the trigger has the greater burden of proof). Anyway, here's a good article on what supposedly happened (free reg. req'd). Relevant passage:
<<< Hunting safety protocol on the ranch is that hunters walk three abreast and move forward, said Katharine Armstrong, one of the owners of the ranch. If one of the hunters steps away, he or she announces his or her intention to rejoin to prevent accidents.
"The covey flushes in front of you, and you shoot the birds," she said. "After you pick up the birds, you get in line and walk forward. The reason you stay in line is so that you know where everybody is at all times. If you drop out of line, you say you are coming up behind indicate to other shooters so you know they are there."
Whittington, 78, was within 30 yards of rejoining Cheney and another hunter, but had not made his presence known, when a second covey of quail flushed, Armstrong said.
Cheney had picked out one of the quail, followed it with his gun and shot, inadvertently spraying Whittington with shotgun pellets, Armstrong said.
"This is of course not something that you want to happen, but it does happen sometimes," Armstrong said. "It's a risk when any shooting sport is involved. Fortunately, Harry was at the right distance away, far enough away that it wasn't worse." >>>
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