Not to mention, again, that the hunters where tracking a deer they had
illegally shot already.. That, the argument, then the shooting, whether intentional or not, should mean the hunters get charged. Charge the landowner with assault too if you like, but the hunters should be in real trouble. There is NO EXCUSE for having a gun loaded, safety off, finger in the guard.. The second hunter pointed the gun at the landowner. Plain and simple.
They dont say how long the landowner has lived there, but with the hunters being upset over having hunted there for years, my bet is this is a case of old hunters up against a new landowner. I had that here.. The previous owner inherited the land and a 'old family buddy' who was used to hunting it just wouldn't stop when asked. They clashed a lot. Well, I bought it and he still thought he could set up a stand across from house and shoot across my field in my direction. Um, no..