Hunter Shoots and Kills Ranger Mistaken For Coyote

U.S. Forest Service officer shot while patrolling Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

A ranger's life is dangerous business: Between a savage wilderness, sometimes savage people, and blind bad luck, there's a lot of ways things can go wrong. Case in point: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service officer Christopher Upton, 37, was shot and killed on Friday night while patrolling a stretch of Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Hunters mistook Upton for a coyote.

While looking through the night-vision scopes on their high-powered rifles, two hunters saw the reflection in Upton's binoculars and believed them to be the reflection of a coyote's eyes. One fired and discovered he'd shot Upton, who was killed instantly. He immediately called 911 and has been cooperating with authorities.

No charges have been filed yet, but law enforcement officials blame the hunters, who they believe failed to properly identify their target before firing. Coyotes are considered a nuisance species in Georgia, an hunting them year round and at night is legal. Steven Ruppert, special agent-in-charge for the Southern Region of the Forest Service, reminded employees of the constant danger they face in the field.

"We are all aware of the inherent risk and danger of this job. Ability, training, and experience, however, cannot protect us in all situations even though we do the right thing. Chris was doing his job and doing it well."

This is the eighth hunting-incident fatality in Georgia this season. One other came from a "mistaken for game" incident, while the others came from a stroke, heart attack, rattlesnake bite, an accidental self-inflicted shooting, and two falls from deer stands.

—Ted Alvarez

via Augusta Chronicle

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READERS COMMENTS

If your truly wondering how to handle snakes when your alone in the wild....just back off and walk around the snake giving it a wide berth(at least 4-5 times the length of the snake, just to be safe). And always move very slow so if there are other snakes they will be alerted to your approach and retreat. I also use a stick or hiking pole and move it around in front of my direction of travel hoping that if there is an additional snake present(mating season), that they might strike at the pole, rather than my legs. Snakes dont hunt humans, but they will strike if threatened. They hide under logs and rocks cause its easy for them to move from shade to sun to regulate their body temp. With that being said, when stepping over a log its best to step on top of it and then step far away from the log when stepping down off the log, to avoid threatening a snake that may be hiding under the log. Hope this helps
Posted: Nov 26, 2011 Jeremy

What an idiot... that guy should be hung from a tree... when you are hunting you should always make sure you know what you are shooting at. When was the last time you saw a 6 foot tall coyote?
Posted: Apr 30, 2010 Greg

Legal yes.....but it's illegal to fire one in a national park and you can't carry them into any buildings...so there is really no point in the policy except to make those people who are afraid to go outdoors feel better
Posted: Mar 12, 2010 WestCoaster

I thought the same thing about the new firearm bill. Coyotes are bad in NY and deer as well. What a shame. I try not to worry about rattlesnakes while backpacking. I usually feel I can move them out of the way with walking poles. Now, I am wondering the best way to handle snakes when by yourself.
Posted: Mar 11, 2010 Martin Hunley

And just think... firearms just became legal in the national parks, too...
Posted: Mar 10, 2010 Mike