Hunter Shoots Marine Dead in Oregon, Thought He Was a Bear
- Posted on October 23, 2011 at 11:44pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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A U.S. Marine was reportedly shot dead in the Oregon wilderness when a man hunting with his grandson unfortunately mistook the marine for a bear. NBC Bay Area reports that 20-year-old Christopher Ochoa died at the scene in Western Oregon where he was hiking with a friend Friday night. He was shot by 67-year-old Gene Collier, who was hunting bear with his 12-year-old grandson.
AP reports that Ochoa was wearing dark-colored clothing moving in brush when Collier fired one shot from his .270-caliber rifle. Ochoa was alive when deputies arrived, but died at the scene despite attempts to administer first aid. The sheriff’s office said that Collier hasn’t been charged, and said the shooting appeared to be accidental but turned the case over to the local district attorney’s office. A press release from the sheriff’s office noted that there was no indication that Collier was impaired by drugs or alcohol, and has been cooperative with detectives.
Bear season in Western Oregon runs from Aug. 1 until Dec. 31. AP notes that hunters are permitted to take one black bear per season, with restrictions on cubs less than one year old or sows with cubs. Fox 12 Oregon video from the scene Friday night:
Ochoa was from French Camp, California. Authorities told the Statesman Journal Ochoa and a friend came to Salem to work on a house. Ochoa was an active Marine Corps reservist, that was scheduled to report back for duty Oct. 25.
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Comments (155)
Doctor Nordo
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:09amHey moron, how is it any worse than going down to your local supermarket to pick up a package of bacon or a nice steak? At least the animal shot during the hunt got to live a life of freedom instead of being bred for slaughter in captivity.
Report Post »Tronix
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:07amHikers Beware: Cheney is hunting!!
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:03amA bullet ricochet off a rock is an accident. An unintentional discharge caused by dropping a weapon is an accident. Shooting someone because you ‘thought’ they were a bear is manslaughter. Any ‘real’ hunter always knows exactly what he is shooting at and is also aware of anything behind the target in case he misses. The marine was not shot by a hunter; he was shot by an idiot in the woods with a gun. I agree with others that the grandfather may be taking the blame for the boy’s mistake. This demonstrates a staggering disregard for common sense and basic hunting safety principles.
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:31amYou hit this one on the head, thank you for plainly stating the facts.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:35amWell said.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 2:33pmYou may be right in thinking that grandpa is taking the blame for this. But I don’t see the sense in that either. That would mean that on top of carrying the load of guilt of killing someone, the kid also has to carry the guilt of grandpa taking the blame and the punishment for it for him. Seems to double down on the guilt the kid has to live with. If the kid did it, it would be better to fess up to it. They won’t be as hard on the kid as they will grandpa………………..
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:03amNot going to say that the guy deserved it, but what was he expecting wandering through the woods at night wearing dark clothing during hunting season?!??!?!?!
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:18am“Ochoa was from French Camp, California. Authorities told the Statesman Journal Ochoa and a friend came to Salem to work on a house.”
May not have even known it was hunting season for bears.
Report Post »uisignorant
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 7:32amSo woman wearing miniskirts just want IT, is that really your stance?
Report Post »Ditto Head
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:57amBears should be hunted for the same reason that wolves and lions should be hunted. They are a dangerous menace and their populations need to kept in check. If you’d ever lived in a place where these wild beasts thrive, you’d know that. Until then, you should sit down, shut up, and leave the important decision-making to the grown-ups. Moron.
Report Post »Alfred F. Jones
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:52amPeople over here in Oregon happen to like the taste of bear. I know many people who hunt bears, and all of them eat the meat. The marine should have been wearing orange. You should always wear bright colors when hiking during hunting season. For all we know the man could have been hunched over as he moved through the brush making him appear to look like a bear. And because the lack of bright colors, he got nailed. It’s common sense and a marine should have known better. All in all this was more than likely a tragic accident where the hunter isnt fully the one to blame.
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:47amLiberal Basher sounds an awful lot like a bleeding heart liberal…
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:44amThis is reason #14 on my list of why I like guns, but don’t wanna go hunting.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:50amGood call. Love of guns does not make you a hunter. They are completely different (yet compatible) skills.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:42amThis guy, sad as it may be, should get first degree manslaughter and have to go to civil court. If you can’t tell the difference between an animal and a human, you shouldn’t be hunting.
Either way you look at it, this story sucks.
Report Post »Libertarian
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:49amHe should be charged for manslaughter. You must identify what you shoot, or there is gross negligence involved. In this case a human being.
Report Post »Doctor Nordo
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:04amThat’s ridiculous. He was wandering through the woods at night during hunting season wearing dark clothing. What did he expect?
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:26am@Doctor Nordo. The man could walk on public land whenever he wants. “Hunter’s” don’t have the right of way over a hiker, are you kidding me.
I love hunting. It’s people like this who give it a bad name. He should serve at least 10 years for this. Life‘s hard when you’re stupid….
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 3:14amAssuming it was dark (which it may not have been) what was the man shooting his gun off for? Isn’t hunting from sun up to sun down… NOT in the dark??
Report Post »A Conservatarian
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 5:39amThere’s an old joke and only real hunters will get the punch line
A fish and game warden pulls over old Tom to check his tags during routine stops on hunters coming out of the woods. Old Tom smiles and proudly displays the bear he bagged; the Warden with a whistle at the bears size, begins examining the catch.
“Say Old Tom, I can’t quite figure this out. This bear here has bullet wholes through both paws and the middle of his forehead, how’d you manage to shoot him three times like that?!”
Old Tom replies “Easy warden! I shined my spotlight on him and he covered up his eyes!”
Night hunting/road hunting/shooting before you‘re absolutely sure what you’re firing at is ILLEGAL. The hunter in the article admitted he saw the ‘bear’ behind brush and it was an accident. Wrong. Illegal. All Hunters Safety courses teach identification must be made first to ascertain specie, breed and sex – then a shot may be made. This was nothing but hunting failure as others have pointed out, along with manslaughter.
Report Post »nativeOR
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:41amI’d like to clear up a few things, since I grew up in the area of the shooting and have hiked many times around Silver Creek Falls. This shooting occurred in daylight; it is NOT an isolated area…it’s farmland with many homes nearby, about 20 miles east of Salem, the capitol. This is a much visited park; a stray bullet could have gone into it and hit any number of people. I absolutely support 2nd amendment rights….but with those rights come responsibilities…you don’t just shoot at what you “think” is a bear. I’m sure this man will suffer great mental anguish, as he should; and hopefully his grandson will learn a lesson.
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:28amSmart comment, nativeor.
I would like to add that it doesn’t even matter how secluded the area is. If you can make out the animal you are shooting, then you should not shoot.
Any hunter knows this. Peace!
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:50amSounds like gramps is taking one for the gipper!
Report Post »FranklinK
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 8:07amNative…I fully agree with your comment. As a prior resident of Salem, I feel that anyone who lives anywhere near the area of Silver Creek Falls should know that there are many hikers about. While I am hunting, I always avoid this type of area; better safe than sorry in the event of a true accident, such as a miss. These shoot first, look later, type of hunters give all of us a bad name. My coldolences to the family of the Marine.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 1:50amOne only has to wonder, “If this was Iraq or Afghanistan in the middle of an attack, and had it been the marine who’d thought he saw something dangerous, and accidently shot anyone, “WOULD THE WORLD HAVE BEEN SO FORGIVING?”
Report Post »It’s hard to think that a Marine, could have been in more danger, hiking near his friends home than in a foreign land.
May God comfort his loved ones.
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:30amOne is a big bad ass hairy animal that will rip you apart with it’s teeth,kill you,rip out your entrails and leave you for dead.The other is a bear.Seems easy enough.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:35amLol!!!
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:48amIf one is a fool with a gun…then one should lose their right to own a gun. Gun owners should be responsible. i don’t like the idea of hunting and killing innocent animals. I wish guns were used for self defense only. Why waste bullets?
Report Post »Ditto Head
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:51amGo ahead and yuk it up, morons. This “hunter” should at least be charged with involuntary manslaughter. I’ve hunted all my life, and would never dream of shooting at something that I hadn’t 100% positively identified as the given animal I was hunting for at the time. You guys are probably the kind of yayhoos, like this “hunter”, who go out “hunting”, get all excited when they hear so much as a twig snap, then start shooting at $h!7 willy-nilly. I hope this idiot does some time.
Report Post »FstEti
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:03amYou are hilarious, Smokey. I wonder if your comments would be so cavalier if it was one of your family that will be buried in the next few days. You’re a moron.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:22amSoros is Buying Farmland.Makes you wonder if we all should not be hunting.And Yes,I Would make the same Comment at the eulogy of a Family Member..FSTETI,everyone is not a self righteous Swelled headed moron as such as your self.Get over yourself.You can hop on your self made pedestal and spew your self righteousness to someone else. Hunting is something Everyone should be Learning.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:26amBesides,If a Family member of mine was wondering thru the woods without proper clothing during hunting season….Wait,They are veterans with more smarts than that…Go Figure?
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:29amFunny comment, but I agree with Ditto Head. I am also a student at the LIACS.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:53amYes, but sadly, this Marine won’t get the chance to do what Marines do best!
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:55amThe Marine wasn’t from that area! It is possible that he didn’t know it was hunting season! It is the shooter’s responsbility–always!
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:25amEveryone’s right – you don‘t shoot if you’re not sure.
However, the marine should know that there are several hunting seasons in many if not all states, and precautions are necessary. He should have been wearing hunter orange or red or ? Come on, the marine was partially responsible for his own injury/death. And who the hell hikes for the sake of hiking during the fall hunt??
I used to hunt with my husband – well, I went with him, and even I wore the hunter orange, even while sitting in camp. Be safe, be smart!
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 3:19amAre you for real? He’s partly responsible for his own death because he decided to walk in the woods? Yeah that makes a lot of sense.
Report Post »209CA
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:23amHunch tells me the 12 yr old took the shot. Grandpa is taking the heat.
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:38amYeah, I had the same hunch…
Report Post »FNG
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:05amyep.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 2:02amWas Wondering the same.
Report Post »Rajabear1
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:22amI don’t know about you, but we like to provide for ourselves when possible. We haven’t hunted bear yet, but what we do hunt, we eat. We don‘t hunt anything that we won’t eat. That goes for birds and fish also. Someday, you may have no choice to provide for yourself, shouldn’t you know how?
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:20amYou EAT them…..
You probably whip “the help” for mistaking the porter house with the filet mignon…
I’ve shot two bear, and they tasted excellent.
You come talk to me when times get tough….I may throw you some scrap from my table.
Report Post »knighttemplar999
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:16amThere are plenty of hunters who shoot at sounds. That’s right, if they hear the brush snapping they think, why that sounds like a bear coming through the brush, kaboom, kaboom. Idiots.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:20amIf you are hunting Bear… you believe that there are Bear there… and if you have any common sense, then you will have some fear…
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:40amBears run much faster than humans.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:16amPredators love to Hunt… it’s genetics!
Report Post »Frogginit
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:14amWhether someone is dressed in dark clothes or not, there’s no excuse for mistaking a man for a bear or any other animal. I like to hunt too, but I’ve never pointed my gun at anything unless I was 100% positive it was the right target. If you make that mistake as this guy did, then you do not belong in the woods with a gun period. Even if it was an accident, he should not be allowed to hunt ever again.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:30amSounds like a good hunting Rule… doesn’t work for the Military Trained!
Report Post »dr_funk
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:44amBears and people look a lot alike through a scope at 100 yards and a crapton of brush…
Its not like hunting whitetail, either. Deer and people do not look alike. Bears and people do.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:05amYour are supposed to be Sure of your target and what is in Front and Beyond before you pull the trigger, if Not you don’t Shoot.
Report Post »TennesseeConservative
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:57amWell some common sense, This stupid bastard, should be charged with murder.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:02amWhat a horrible accident…don‘t know who’s at fault…the hunter or the hiker…if you’re gonna go hiking probably should wear clothing that ANYONE could see…if you’re gonna go hunting..make sure what you’re shooting at…I feel sorry for his 12 year old grandson…let alone the family of the “fallen” marine.
Report Post »uisignorant
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 7:36amThis was no accident.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:06pmHave to disagree…I don’t think the old man meant to shoot the guy.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:02amGene Collier. A man who will never be the same again. And his grandson, will never forget this dark day.
Tragic for all concerned.
Report Post »Rajabear1
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:00amSo sad. Why in the world would he take a shot if he couldn’t tell if it was a small bear or a full grown? Should have never taken the shot. Prayers for all involved.
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:06amAgreed. If you can’t identify what it is how do you know where the vitals are?
Report Post »Also NOT wearing any blaze orange cloths in the woods during hunting season is a no no…
pamela kay
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 11:57pmA very tragic and freak accident. Bless this young mans family, and I would like to send them my condolences, and thank them for his service to our country.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:08amNot a freak accident, negligence on the old man. Hunter’s rule number one. NEVER shoot at anything you can’t clearly make out and identify.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 11:52pmWho goes hiking in dark clothes during bear season????
Report Post »SoiledDove
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:02amYeah, it‘s totally the marine’s fault. Sheesh…
You are obviously not a hunter. One of the cardinal rules of hunting is that you don’t pull the trigger unless you know EXACTLY what you are shooting at.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:02amWho goes…. hunting at Night… for Bear? This sounds wrong!
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:59amI know, you can‘t GRIN ’EM DOWN at night, like Davey Crockett!
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 11:50pmif you can’t distinguish between humans & bears you shouldn’t be out there hunting .
Report Post »RIP Christopher .
phillipwgirard
Posted on October 23, 2011 at 11:59pmabsolutely, you just don’t shoot anything thats moving behind bushes, he should be charged with manslaughter.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:16amIf not manslaughter, then at least negligent homocide. The story reminds me of a woman who was killed in Maine — maybe almost 20 years ago. She was shot dead in her own back yard by an older hunter. No charges brought. Why? Her house was new, so the hunter didn’t expect it to be a residential area. Oh, and (foolish of her (sarc)) she was wearing white mittens, so NATURALLY, she was mistaken for a whitetail deer. In Maine, it doesn’t pay to be “from away.”
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