More on GunFail

Could Fatal Hunting Accident Have Been Prevented?
By Matt Jarchow
Updated Friday, November 25, 2016 at 10:44 PM EST

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. -- It is officially hunting season in New York State, the favorite season for many.

And still, safety should be a hunter's first priority, according to David Steinberg of Ra-Lin Sporting Goods.

If it is not, tragedy can hit - as it did Thursday in Sandy Creek.

Troopers say 24-year-old Kristopher Paro was hunting in a tree stand behind his home when his father, Kevin, entered the woods to hunt. Troopers say Kristopher thought he was shooting a deer when he fired a single shot from his rifle that hit his father in the chest and later killed him.

Hunting experts say the accident could very well have been prevented. For one, Kevin was not wearing orange.

"Orange is a visible color," said Steinberg. "Everybody knows to stay away from orange, it's a caution color."

Police say when Kevin entered the woods, Kristopher was 100 yards away and thought he heard a deer.

"Most of these tragedies occur when you're shooting at sounds, which is a definite no-no," said Steinberg. "You can't shoot at sounds, you can't shoot at 'I think it's a deer, I think it's an animal', you've got to physically see what you're shooting at."

And above all else, it is important to be aware.

"People are in the woods, or any place, you've got to be aware of your surroundings," said Steinberg.

The DEC says last year was the first year on record with zero hunting fatalities.

State police say the investigation is ongoing.

Read more
http://www.twcnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2016/11/25/could-fatal-hunting-accident-have-been-prevented.html?cid=facebook_TWC_News_Central/Northern_NY