Woman fired shot using thermal night vision scope after mistaking man for hog

[livingston]

Shot that killed hog hunter recorded by woman's firearm, investigators say
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —

The gunshot that killed an Upstate hog hunter Wednesday night was recorded by a night-vision scope on the firearm, investigators said Thursday.

Kenneth Jason Young, 40, of Starr, was hog hunting on private property by himself when he was mistaken for one of the animals by a female hunter, Anderson County chief deputy coroner Charlie Boseman said.


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The accident was reported just after 8:30 p.m. on Gentry Road between Highway 181 and Highway 81 near Brooks McGee Road just south of Starr, dispatchers said.

The hunter was using an ATN thermal night vision scope when she saw an outline of something "on all fours in the grass," Boseman said.

She took a single shot, thinking it was a hog, Boseman said.

Investigators said the scope on the woman's firearm has recording capabilities. They said the fatal shot was recorded on an SD card.

File photo of an ATN scope
Investigators said they have seen the recording. They said an outline of something on all fours is seen in the recording.

Shot that killed hog hunter recorded by woman's firearm, investigators say

 

[carpediem]

You are your own prosecution witness....

 

[71velle]

Very sad for all... I wonder who the private property belonged to? and if that will make a difference from a legal stand point.

 

[wdeister08]

Very sad for all... I wonder who the private property belonged to? and if that will make a difference from a legal stand point.

Makes no difference. Stupid shooters shoot things they aren't sure of what they are. Hope she gets 20 years

 

[71velle]

So if it was her land and he did not have permission to be there is the same as if it was his land and she did not have permission?

 

[Robin]

Basic tenet of hunting, Make SURE of your target!
Robin

 

[JamieZ]

I hunt quite a bit at night. Its pitch black except for the red light you're using to scan. This light most of the time is just bright enough where it lights up the eyes of animals, depending on the distance. You dont get the whole pic of the animal unless its close enough. Ive never used a thermal but Ive seen pics of it used to hunt pigs. I can almost see this accident happening being that its not such a clear picture depending upon the distance it is being used at. Also depending upon how good the unit you are using is.

Ive made a mistake in my years of coyote hunting. Thought for sure I seen a coyote coming in the brush. Had the caller going and everything. Clicked on my brighter red light on the gun, looked through the scope and shot for the brilliant red eyes which initially turned me on to the spot where I seen the animal come in. Pulled the trigger on my 204 rifle. Was happier than shit when I noticed it went down. Walked the 150 or so yards over to it,,,,,,only to find a dead deer. This deer came walking up to my caller when I was playing Coyote Pup Distress..My fault, should of waited till I got a better look but all I can say is,, damn you get excited when you see something at night,, when you have been calling a bunch of other nights and have seen nothing.

 

[IrishMick]

Proving the feminists right...all men are pigs.

 

[togmaster]

I remember a few college parties where I was targeting some fine beaver but wound up pulling the trigger on a hog.

 

[freddy]

I remember a few college parties where I was targeting some fine beaver but wound up pulling the trigger on a hog.

Ha! Good one!

 

[freddy]

The general consenus is: use thermal to find targets, use NV to identify them.