Ranch owner says people get shot on her ranch "from time to time"

[goodboy]

Even she's been "peppered pretty well myself"

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON THERE? WHY ARE PEOPLE GETTING SHOT IN THE FACE OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER?

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas Feb 12, 2006 (AP)— Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a companion during a weekend quail hunting trip in Texas, spraying the fellow hunter in the face and chest with shotgun pellets.

Armstrong said Cheney is a longtime friend who comes to the ranch to hunt about once a year and is "a very safe sportsman." She said Whittington is a regular, too, but she thought it was the first time the two men hunted together.

"This is something that happens from time to time. You know, I've been peppered pretty well myself," said Armstrong.

Banko said Whittington was in the intensive care unit because his condition warranted it, but he didn't elaborate.

The 50,000-acre Armstrong ranch has been in the influential south Texas family since the turn of the last century. Katharine is the daughter of Tobin Armstrong, a politically connected rancher who has been a guest at the White House and spent 48 years as director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He died in October. Cheney was among the dignitaries who attended his funeral.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1611044&page=1

These people are nuts. Something's not right here. Politically connected rancher buddy of the Bushies?

[Mythsaje]

1. Seems pretty weird to me, too...

Hardly a good example of responsible gun-handling, are they?

[TomInTib]

7. I will bet the guy is in a lot worse shape than they are letting on...

even a 28 gauge at 30 feet is pretty devastating.

[MoJoWorkin]

30. I was thinking maybe he got one in the eye, as they said "face" area.

There must be more to it, that he is still in hospital.

[Cleita]

2. Doesn't she seem like such a lovely lady, putting tame birds

out there to be slaughtered for "sport". These places really need to be outlawed. Where's PETA on this?

[NVMojo]

3. he was drunk and negligent, this is a cover up

[TomInTib]

9. You got my vote.

That is why the 24 hour gap in reporting.

And I have been guilty of hunting birds while drinking.

A Texas tradition.

I have also been "peppered" twice- once in Cenral Texas and once in Indio, CA.

[catnhatnh]

16. Ohhhh.....pockmarks in your Indio HURT....N/T

[TomInTib]

18. Indelible.

Smart butt.

But gol-danged funny.

[kster]

10. The guy is in intesive care

maybe they had to wait to see if he was going to make it, before they told the story. Maybe there is a bigger cover up in play?

[Erika]

4. We are talking rich republicans

and whats a few injuries among good friends when acting as macho hunters?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Heck sometimes we "pepper" each other just for grins! Ha you got me!

Good one!

[catnhatnh]

6. I wanna see the pockmarks....

from where she was "peppered" before I buy that shit....the guy wasn't "peppered"-he was SHOT,and from fairly close range, no matter what tender euphemisms they use

[DBoon]

8. It's just a harmless fraternity prank

We do this all the time to Iraqi detainees, just to scare them a bit. No big deal.

[goodboy]

11. Or, one of the vicious Texas Death Quayles sprang onto his face

and was pecking his eyes out, so really, DICK saved his life...

[DBoon]

15. Those terrorists are sneaky

you never know when they might be hiding in a quail ranch, and when you might have to blow one away with your handy shotgun. So there was some "collateral damage", big deal.

[goodboy]

23. It's a new terra organization: Al-Quayle-Da (nt)

[maddezmom]

CNNI just had a clip of her, saying it's being blown out of proportion

by non-hunters. She said this happens more than people think.

Ah okay, then. :crazy:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. Boy that really makes me want to take up hunting! NOT

[bliss_eternal]

12. Good question--

Quote:
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON THERE? WHY ARE PEOPLE GETTING SHOT IN THE FACE OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER?

I wish I knew of a good answer.

[gimama]

13. wives & stand-by ambulances on huntin' trips??

I'm a hunter from way back, & a fair shot,m'Self. First thing y'do, is leave the womenfolk behind..those guys had the wife 'watching from the car'?
Like we say,where I'm from,'that dawg don't hunt'.

[LiberalAndProud]

17. A cautionary note.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20050314c

March 14, 2005
Texas Hunting Accidents Drop to Record Low

AUSTIN, Texas – A new report shows Texas hunting accidents in 2004 decreased to the lowest amount since statistical records began in 1966. The number of people injured in hunting accidents in Texas decreased from 44 in 2003 to 29 in 2004, although fatalities increased from two to four during the same period.

The primary reason for Texas hunting accidents remains swinging on game outside a safe zone of fire. This happens when a person points a firearm at another hunter while following a moving target, such as a flying game bird. Hunter education teaches people to set up safe zones of fire where a gun can be safely pointed whether the target is moving or stationary.

Some statistics seem to defy stereotypical expectations. Most accidents do not happen under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Most of the people involved had more than 10 years of hunting experience. Most were in light to open cover with clear visibility in good weather.
Other findings verify what might be expected. Most people involved did not attend a hunter education course or wear any type of hunter orange clothing. Most accidents violated a cardinal rule of hunter safety, were situated in or around a vehicle or stand, and occurred toward dusk and involved fatigue as a factor.
Dove hunting had close to twice the number of accidents (11) as the next highest accident category for 2004, deer hunting (6). This is because hunting birds on the wing involves the greatest risk of swinging on game outside the safe zone of fire.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

19. Still doesn't explain 24 hr. delay. I think the most likely scenario is:

1-drunk

2-wanted to see if they could keep the thing quiet entirely, but whoever told the Corpus Christi paper spoiled that for them.

[LiberalAndProud]

20. The 24-hr lapse is problematical, isn't it?

One could speculate for hours.

The fact is, we'll never know why they waited so long. I think they really did hope that they could keep the whole incident under wraps to avoid embarrasment, therefore didn't call the sheriff.

If Cheney took the hunter education course required in Texas, I can't find a hunting law that he violated.

I'll keep hoping that Libby will take Cheney down. This incident is mildly amusing in a macabre sort of way, but I can't imagine any long-term repercussions coming from it.

[wtmusic]

21. They did their damndest to shut the whole thing up

in classic neocon tradition. Who gives a crap...it was an accident. It would be like Clinton trying to cover up falling down the steps at Greg Norman's beach house and breaking his arm.

They just can't resist a good opportunity for a coverup.

[LiberalAndProud]

22. Maybe he had to antedate a diploma.

I wonder if he did complete the hunter education course? Could be he had to take care of some paperwork before the story blew up. That I could believe.

I could also believe the drunk story except the guy has gout. Surely he would avoid the booze? maybe not. I don't know.

[Raine]

24. Sounds like the kind of

place that anyone with intelligence would stay out of since apparently the idiots have free rein there with shootings happening regularly from 'time to time'. :silly:

[DeaconBlues]

25. If this is true maybe the proper authorities should shut the damn place

down, until it can improve its safety record.

[MrSlayer]

26. That does sound insane doesn't it?

Like a bunch of drunken yahoos just shooting at random. Bizarre.

[cornermouse]

27. Gee....

My family went hunting and no one ever got shot.

[Dees]

28. Damn Repuke weirdos..Y'all come on down for a good pepperin and sprayin

I consider most Repukes kinky bastards anyway. I guess this is a Repug tradition at the old ranch. You been peppered or sprayed yet?

[MoonRiver]

29. Well, if you play with fire(arms)...

I despise hunting so not feeling real sympathetic here. :thumbsdown:

[LostinVA]

31. Half of my extended family have been shot while hunting

Luckily, never by a bullet, but birdshot.

Why, you ask?

i think it's a combination of testosterone, alcohol, arrogance, and adrenaline... it turns people into IDIOTS.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. 50,000 acres? Lot of room to hide the bodies.

For those unfortunate drunks who get blasted by other rich drunks.