My opinion, as a hunter, is that when a situation like this occurs, it's always the shooter's fault. He should be 110% certain nothing is in his line of fire, regardless of high grass, Whittington not being where he is supposed to, the sun in his eyes, etc.

I've been in this situation many times. Every responsible hunter/shooter knows exactly what is going on. Now, responsibility is in question when alcoholic consumption is a question, licenses aren't possessed, and an apparent cover-up in being reported.

A guy I hunt with lives for the outdoors. Avid hunter/fisher/conservationist, and one of the most knowledgeable/responsible outdoorsman I know. One day he was walking on a rock pile with a shotgun, and decided to try to club a possum with the butt of his gun. The gun went off and he shot himself. I blame that on a momentary lack of composure. The same may be true with Cheney, but I have problems with people who hunt without licenses.