IVOR
Virginia Conservation Police have determined that the hunting fatality that took place early on Wednesday was caused by the accidental discharge of a firearm. The Southampton County Sheriff’s Department was called at 7:56 a.m. to the vicinity of Booth and Sadler roads near Ivor. The VCP were also called minutes later because it was believed to have happened while the men were hunting deer on private land.

Lee Walker, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, told The Tidewater News, “It appears the shooter and victim were walking down a path to their hunting location, the shooter had his gun on a sling and on his shoulder. The gun was loaded. The shooter went to take the firearm off his shoulder and something got caught in the trigger guard and discharged the firearm.”

Walker also stated that the matter is still being investigated, and that no charges have yet been made.

The victim was William Huskey Jr., 69, of Newport News. The other man’s name has not yet been disclosed.

Walker also stressed the importance of hunter education.

“Since Hunter Education became mandatory for 12-15 year old and first-time hunters in 1988, there has been a 25 percent reduction in the rate of hunting-related shooting incidents,” he wrote. “While hunting is safe in comparison to other common sports, each injury can cause extreme physical and emotional pain for the victim, the shooter, and their families.

“Hunter Education courses are designed to teach hunting safety, principles of conservation, and sportsmanship. A dedicated cadre of more than 900 trained volunteer instructors works with 160 Conservation Police Officers to train 13,000 students each year. A program milestone was reached in 2007 when Hunter Education in Virginia exceeded half-a-million graduates of the course.”

He added, “The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries wants to remind hunters that an enjoyable day in the woods begins with hunting safely. All hunters are encouraged to follow these three basic firearms safety rules:

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded;
2. Control the direction of your muzzle, only pointing at what you intend to shoot; and
3. Before shooting, clearly identify your game and what is beyond.”