Why has it degenerated into this.

It was a nasty and unfortunate accident.

I feel deeply for both parties concerned and their families. I think something like this would affect all concerned in a way deeper than most of us could realise.
BUT, does it have to turn into a slinging match? For goodness sake, next thing we'll be poking tongues out at each other.

Were we there?..........NO.
Do we have a right to judge?..........NO.
Have we been in the same situation?...........99.99% of us.....NO.(myself included)
Do we know how we would react?..........NO. (Those more arrogant of us seem to believe they do. ??????)

As has already been mentioned, even the Professionals have been seen backstepping. Not cowardice, but positioning.

And before you say it's easy to make statements like this from the saftey of my lounge chair, let me state that I was almost the victim of a stray shot 22 years ago. Actually two stray shots. Same guy, same gun, 10 minutes apart. Felt the blast in my lower back the first time and had burn marks on my shirt the second. A 158gr JHP from a Rossi .357 lever action in the small of my back would have cut short my hunting life.... or life full stop.
I was a lot more forgiving then, than I would be now. Back then was harsh words followed by silent treatment and never another word spoken to. Now would result in jaw broken by butt of rifle stock.

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