What should legally be done if.....

[CornPirateKiller]

I have to agree with magnumthunder. If there are turkeys grouped near your shot, don't take the shot. If you can't be absolutely, positively sure of what you are shooting at, the shot should not be taken. There is no trophy anywhere that is worth making a terrible mistake. I speak on this subject from personal experience. Twenty-one years ago, a hunting companion put a .22 magnum slug through my neck at a distance of 20 yards with a scoped rifle. He saw a movement he thought was a squirrel. If you can't be certain, don't pull the trigger... period!

If you do screw up, I hope that your big enough to own up to that fact and contact the authorities.

[matthothand]

I agree that a C.O. should be notified and I feel that Suzuki's stance is classified as wanton waste which is illegal and if caught you will be faced with additional fines other than being over a 'limit'. As a hunter it is your responsibility to make a clean kill and to be aware of what is beyond your shot. If you do not have a clear shot you must wait until an ethical shot is provided to you. You owe it to the animal and also the number one priority is to be safe.

[magnumthunder]

I agree with you matt! You should go up the warden hand him the bird, your gun, and your check book. Tell him you dont deserve to be out hunting because you still dont know anything about Firearms Safety yet and next time you will probably shoot someone. While you hand him your gun, besure the muzzle is pointing at him as you tell him the safety might be off because you are very dangerous .....

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Let's not forget this argument already assumes your are an ethical sportsman and it was an accident. This isn't a HSOforum for poachers. I still think turning yourself in is hilarious. Go for it.

[lunker651]

I agree with suzuki. People are saying they will turn themselve in but if it really happen I don't think they would. Causing more problems for yourself is not what people would do these days. But if you say it's okay and you are willing to pay fines and have a crimimal record then go ahead and turn yourself in. Remember that you will have a crimimal record and it might come back and hurt you in the near future for life. The point here is to be sure of what's beyond and around your target before you shoot and you will not find yourself in this situation.

[matthothand]

I have not even had to picture myself in this scenerio. I am a safe hunter and I am aware of my surroundings and the surroundings of the game that I am pursuing. Safety first, hunter second.

[lawdog]

I can't believe this old dead horse topic is still getting kicked...

[subzero]

Seem to me what I see from this post is that people would turn in someone in a heartbeat but would take the opportunity to walk away and never mention it if it was them that ended up in the situation. Interesting!!