Elk Hunter Accidentally Shot to Death by Son
October 26th, 2006 David King - King's Outdoor World
This is actually a very tough one to report on. A New York father and son were elk hunting in Colorado this last week. The sling that was carrying the son’s rifle broke and as the son went to grab his rifle as it fell he accidently grabbed the trigger. The bullet hit the father and killed him instantly. My heart goes out to the family.
Link: Story
Entry Filed under: News and Stuff
19 Comments Add your own
1. Dan Gus | October 26th, 2006 at 11:57 am
To the son:
Hunting is a special time to bond between a father and a son. I am truely sorry of the tragedy that happened. My heart goes out to you.
Accidents happen in many different varieties. No one can predict when what going to happen from day to day.
If hunting is something you truely love, please continue enjoying the outdoors and all it has to offer.
Your father passed while doing something he enjoyed and doing it with someone he dearly loved. Please try to keep you head up in this hard time.
2. Kristine Shreve | October 27th, 2006 at 8:11 am
What a horrible thing to have happen. My heart goes out to the entire family.
3. Justin | October 27th, 2006 at 4:31 pm
What a horrible way to remind us all to ensure our firearms safety’s are always engaged until the point of target aquisition. I pray that the lord will lighten the lifelong burden that the son will carry.
4. Tom Wilson | October 28th, 2006 at 6:05 am
A terrible accident that the son will have to live with the remainder of his life. I read about this in our local Colorado paper. Another reminder that if you have a firearm slung over your shoulder the chamber should be empty. Last week a friend of mine reinforced this important rule when he slipped on snowy rocks with a rifle slung over his shoulder, the subsequent fall snapped a carbon rifle stock in half (Yeah…he’s a big guy). Fortunately, he did not have a round in the chamber because who knows what could have been the result. I would love to see this practice drilled into the heads of more people who handle firearms and hunt.
5. A Father | October 28th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Dan……….Amen to you!!!!! I could not have said it better myself!
To the son:
I sincerly hope you and your family have the opportunity to read Dan’s comments.
6. Jerome | November 3rd, 2006 at 9:24 am
Sorry about what happened hope that you and your family gets better and keep on hunting if it is your desire dont let it take you down.
7. FarmBoy | November 3rd, 2006 at 6:29 pm
that is completely true Dan
8. robert roberts | November 4th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
remember that you were both doing something you love and accidents are NOBODYS FAULT. We can all agree that he is shooting bigger and better bucks in heaven than we will ever get a chance too. Stay strong my friend, have faith, and use your LOVE for your father and his LOVE for you to get you through this. You are in my prayers
9. terry bolenback oliver british columbia | November 5th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
my heart goes out to the boy
10. David Walrod | November 5th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Sometimes terrible things happen to good people. I just lost my 19 month old son in a traggic accident. I lost track of him for a split second, and I backed over Jeremiah with my truck! He died instantly, and I believe the lord took his soul just an instant before it happened. It would be too horrible to believe anything else. I also know that he is in a very special place. Some day I will see him again, and at that time, I will be able to have a reason or understanding for why this happened.
I have found in this case that there simply are no words that can describe or convey a persons heartfelt thoughts and meanings that they want to pass along.
To the son, you have to believe this was not your fault, or it will eat you alive. I have already, and will continue to second guess myself and what if this for a long time. As my wife says though, this is bigger than the both of us. It was not me.
I am a believer in God, but so much I have witnessed during this has only strengthened my beliefe. We woke up Monday October 30th to cold and snow. My wife was not thrilled until I told her how white and pure and clean it was, and it was beautiful outside. At the cemetary, most people had helium filled balloons that were released into the sky right at the end of the ceremony. I watched the balloons go skyward just as a couple of clouds broke, and for a brief moment, there was blue sky and sunshine. At this point, I knelt and was looking down while I cried. There have been several people who were present tell me that right at that moment as you were looking at the balloons, and the blue sky was in the background, there was a V-pattern of snow geese flying way above, and overhead!!
A person cannot simply make something like that up, and to believe it was anything but God working a little magic is absurd.
To the son, I do not know what I may be able to do to help you. Maybe we can help each other. If this somehow reaches you and you wish to email me, I would love that. I am finding that I personally need to talk about my son and to never forget him, ever. Do not blaim yourself!!!
11. Alex | November 8th, 2006 at 9:11 am
Mr. Walrod,
I don’t know how people who don’t believe in God make it through times like this. Your faith will bring you through this and I pray it will for the son of this accident also. He cannot make it on his own. Also, as you have said, please continue to think of your son in heaven smiling down at his daddy. He is at total peace and will watch over you until that glorious day when you are reunited and you can hug him forever. Stories like yours make me go home and kiss my two boy every day and thank God for them every minute!
12. sam | November 9th, 2006 at 7:11 am
I am so sorry to here that happen. and i hope your family well be better soon.
13. Cindy | November 9th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I would, like all the other, to express sincere sympathy to the son and family of the accidental shooting and to Mr and Mrs Walard. I myself at a young age of 20 years old had to deal with the death of both my parents within 6 months of each other. Death can be a hard thing to accept mainly because everyone trys to ask the question “why”. There is no why, it is only God. The people who leave this earth are very special people. So special that God believes they deserve better and takes them to live with HIm. We all must know that God never puts before us what we can not handle.
14. Tina Kukwa | November 10th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
We all make mistake isn`t it? And sometimes it burdens our lives. Please, don`t let this get into your way eventhough it`s so significant. Look for a way to forgive yourself by making flash back to all the good times you had with your dad; all the fun things you did togther as well as hunting. If you really enjoy hunting activity, then do not quit because it reminds you of what happened, instead look at it as an honor to your dad, ok. Yeehaa ! ! you got an angel to watch over you men. Have a good one.
15. scott | November 14th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Y OU ARE IN MY PRAYER;S
16. To the son... | November 15th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Since this horrible tragedy I have decided to leave my son at home when I hunt. Hey, I want to come home after I hunt and enjoy the Venison, put a trophy on the ol wall, know what I mean?
17. j lee | November 30th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
to the son..that happens 2 the best of hunters..ive been hunting over 10 years and sumthin like that happend 2 me but my uncle was 2 the left of me..i could have shot him but luckly he wasnt in front of me..dont give up..jus b inspired 2 take more precaution out in the woods and have a better love of the sport…my heart goes out 2 the ENTIRE FAMILY!
18. colton Acord | December 4th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
you couldnt have said it better Dan I am truely sorry for the boys loss
19. gregg | May 11th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
very sad………………..and totally avoidable. don’t hunt with a shell in the chamber………..please.
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