One deer hunter with plans to take home a prize buck sadly won’t be returning home this year. On September 28, 2019, a teen hunter was shot by his hunting party who thought he was a deer. The 17-year-old, Bobby Lane, was shot in a wooded area near Brunsick, Georgia. Bobby was wounded and the hunting companion who pulled the trigger, Hector Romero (32 years-old), tried to help as best he could. Hector took Bobby to a gas station nearby for help. Bobby was then taken by ambulance to the hospital where he passed away. If you are able to donate, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the family.
The question the shooter now faces is why did he have a gun? Bobby was shot during Archery only season in Georgia (September 14, 2019 – January 31, 2020). Rifle/Firearm season won’t open in the state until October 19, 2019. Glynn County’s either sex (Doe or Buck) season also doesn’t open until October 21, 2019. A spokesman for Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), Mark McKinnon, has said the firearm will play a role in their investigation as their “critical incident re-creation team is reconstructing the incident . . . .” Mr. McKinnon also said hunting fatalities involving shootings are less common than tree stand related deaths. The shooting is being investigated by the DNR as an illegal weapon charge due to not being rifle season.
It is always sad to hear when a fellow hunter passes away due to an accident that could have been avoided. Always remember where your hunting buddies are while in the field. Be careful when hunting in heavy foliage or unable to see/hear your group. Find a way to know where they are at all times. We as hunters can’t let these careless mistakes happen. Read the entire report at Washington Post.
Again, if you are able to donate, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the family. Any and all donations would be very much appreciated.
