TX: Man shoots himself in head while hunting

Man shoots himself in head while hunting
September 3, 2009

A 27-year-old Bertram resident who accidentally shot himself in the head in a hunting accident late last week went from serious to good condition this weekend.

The resident (name withheld by request) of Bertram was dove hunting with friends near his home off County Road 272 last Thursday, Sept 3, 2009 when he apparently tripped with gun in hand, said Dennis Forsgren, with the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.

“Everything seems to point to a hunting accident,” he said. “I don’t think there was an offense of any kind and from what I’ve been given and from what officers have told me, there is nothing indicating it was anything other than an accidental discharge.”

The residents wife called emergency personnel at about 7:13 p.m. Thursday and he was subsequently transported by helicopter to Brackenridge Medical Center Austin. His injuries were serious Friday but medical professionals upgraded him to good condition Monday, according to a hospital spokesperson.

The National Rifle Association provides the following tips for safe gun handling:

•Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction at all times. A safe direction means the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed in a direction that even if it were to go off, it would not cause injury or damage.

•Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun until you are actually ready to fire.

•Always keep your gun unloaded until you are ready to use it. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device, if possible. If the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and look into the chamber(s), which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

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