CROSS CITY, Fla. - Authorities say a 12-year-old north Florida boy was fatally shot during an apparent hunting accident. The Dixie County Sheriff's Office reports that Bryan Austin Osteen was hunting with his grandfather on private land near Cross City on Tuesday. Authorities say the boy was at a tree stand when his shotgun fired and hit him in the upper torso. The Gainesville Sun reports that the grandfather was nearby but didn't see what happened. Investigators believe Osteen might have been climbing into or out of his tree stand, or he might have fallen out of it.
My friend was out in his tree stand when some bird hunters where walking through the field he was over looking. They took a shot over in his direction and lets just say he wasn't too happy about it. Got down out of his stand and gave the people a piece of his mind then found out they were trespassing. He figured the were mutual friends of the landowner
Very tragic, that's for sure. It opens our eyes just a bit doesn't it? Be safe everyone and enjoy our sport.
Sad. Never have a shell chambered when climbing up or down from the treestand. Always wear a safety harness. Such simple things that so many people don't do. It's always worse when a child is involved. A friend of mine's neighbor boy went hunting with his grandfather a couple years ago. The boy was probably 10 or 11. The grandfather fell out of his treestand without a harness. He grandson saw it happen and watched his grandfather die. Again, just so sad and totally avoidable.
Prayers go out to the family and friends! It is a reminder to be safe and always make sure your kids are taken care of too!
