Elk hunter accidentally shot to death by son in CO

[spectr17]

Elk hunter accidentally shot to death by son

By Rocky Mountain News

October 25, 2006

A 66-year-old Ronkonkoma, N.Y., hunter died when his son's gun accidentally fired and hit him in the chest last evening, the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning.

Joseph DiBiasa Jr. was hunting with a group including his son, Joseph Michael DiBiasa, 41, near Fitzpatrick Mesa yesterday, according to Undersheriff Richard Besecker.

As they were walking, a sling broke on a 7mm magnum rifle the younger DiBiasa was carrying. As he tried to catch it before it hit the ground, he inadvertently pulled the trigger, and the bullet struck his father.

Besecker said it appears the victim died instantly.

No charges are being sought against Joseph DiBiasa. A pathologist is conducting a post-mortem investigation.

End article

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The above really makes you want to keep the chamber empty until you spot game

 

[Speckmisser]

I have to admit that I often hunt with a round in the chamber (I also usually hunt alone...not that it should matter when it comes to safety), but this incident sure does illustrate why most guides insist that you don't chamber a round until they tell you to do so.

I feel bad for the son. It's easy to criticize, as I'm sure many folks are likely to do, but this must have been a hard one and accident that could have happened to a majority of hunters I know.

 

[Live2hunt]

safety not on?

 

[elkman7x7]

We always hunt with out a shell chambered. Once you get use to it it takes about as long as it does to get your rifle to your shoulder to chamber.

 

[MULIES4EVER]

THATS TOO BAD. I AM SURE THAT POOR KID IS HATING HIMSELF.

 

[jlostrander]

At one point I did hunt with one in the chamber.

Some of you may have heard of the incident similar to the one discribed above that happend 5-10 years back in so-cal. It was a father/son also and did not end well.

After hearing about that one, no more round in the chamber while walking or climbing or decending or even sitting. If an oppurtunity comes along it only takes a second to chamber a round.

Tell everyone you know.

Logan

 

[Gyopo]

I know a guy that was around two sliongs that broke.
No round went off, but on one rifle the rifle got dinged up and in the second the guy went to grab it.
Luckilly, no round went off.

In both cases the slings were leather.
Check those slings before heading out.

I feel sorry for the son.