In a previous post, I labeled hunter Norman Clinton Hale our “Irresponsible Gun Owner of the Day” for shooting a game warden and pilot with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. While this website hasn’t yet grown into itself (i.e. established its own commentariot), the two readers who posted after the article raised an interesting possibility: I screwed up. Kayhunter reminded us that, well, shit happens. “Please someone, tell me how at 11:00 at night, YOU can visually identify an animal at 100 – 200 yards – in the dark…. please – because I still haven’t mastered that.. and if one is supposed to completely identify their target – then why is it stressed that deer hunters wear orange to improve visibility to other hunters. – – – – – Sometimes guys – it’s a horrible accident – that everyone would have liked to prevent.” And then this, from Ben: “OK he was hunting coyote an u do this at night…..u hunt them by there eyes and the park ranger was wearing night vision goggles….i knew the hunter personally and he was a very responsible hunter and good man.” We’ll keep an eye on this story. Meanwhile, did I jump the gun?
thank you for admitting, jumping the gun, I also know Clint Hale, and most comment their opinion without knowing the story, and that is just it……… Clint is a professional, college educated, person, not a a reckless GA redneck. Not a weed grower, looking to kill a ranger………….He is and was legal, story I know, Ranger was prone, and had night vision binoculars, and that is what caused what had to be eye glare, like animals.
Please someone, tell me how at 11:00 at night, YOU can visually identify an animal at 100 – 200 yards – in the dark…. please – because I still haven’t mastered that
If that's the case, then WTF are you shooting at anything?
many gun control activists would agree with you… then there is no hunting – - and the 2nd amendment would be next. Clint is a responsible hunter, a good man and a smart guy – this accident was tragic for both families.
i am no hunter or even know a thing about hunting, but I do know Clint, his story makes sense to me…..
Too bad we can't ask the ranger's story. He's dead. Hale may not have intended to kill the ranger, but he's still responsible for the ranger's death. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/uptonNewsReports.php
the ranger was a high strung person i met him myself on several occasions where he was parked when this happened was in a low area and he was crawling up the hill towards the hunter with his night goggle on If he wanted to arrest them all he had to do was get in his truck and drive 50 yards to where they were sitting. This put him in the position of being a dumbass. He knew they were coyote hunting and yet he put himself on coyote level which was stupid. We were there the next morning with the investigators. He could have even locked them in as there is a gate there with one way in and one way out. This is a classic case of a young smartass cop that had been trying to make a name for himself eversince he transferred here. It was bound to happen he had a bad attitude. He could have been friendly with people and had some common sense but he always let his mouth overload his ass. He also made up some rules as he went along. There have been 2 wonderful wardens in our neck of the woods that were real people we have helped them catch people and they have always offered us a hand if we needed it. Common sense goes a long way
Ann you have a bad attitude and a warped sense of right and wrong, and have allowed your dislike of officer Upton to skew your view of the situation. I guess this makes you the dumbass! Now that the details have come out regarding this case Mr. Hale doesn’t seem so innocent, many lies were told and many things were left out of his account of the incident. Clint did something stupid and should pay, and will. He has caused his family pain and embarrassment as well as the Upton family who lost a father, husband, son and we all have lost an honorable officer and protector . You can’t blame the innocent for dying at the hands of a criminal performing an illegal act! I do know Clint personally and defended him before the truth came forward, he has betrayed everyone’s trust and deserves whatever sentence the judge passes down upon him.