The carried backwards, perhaps horizontal on the shoulder. Or backwards off the shoulder on a sling. The woman wouldn't have to be right behind either. Somewhere where the barrel pointed.

Ridiculous to carry the rifle loaded in this position. A reason many safety anally retentive hunting groups demand everyone carry guns bolt open or broken open. Because of idiots in the group. It ensures the idiots aren't carrying a loaded firearm.

When people are excited, even sensible people can become idiots. Strong trained discipline helps reduce this. But strong training and discipline is no longer fashionable in general life.

One thing one be sure. In any large or medium sized group, there will be without doubt one or more idiots. Not necessarily bad gun safety, but surely an idiot or more. The plandemic has taught me just how many idiots are out and about. Strict uncompremising safety rules help ensure idiots idocy is controlled and discipline ensured.

Poor woman didn't deserve to be shot. For the hunt organisers it must be horrible to have a shooting accident and even worse a fatality. In a club it could get a club licence terminated.