Michigan City hunter says he dodged 40 bullets

Tribune Staff Report

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By SBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Dec 2, 2008 at 5:37 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 2, 2008 at 8:54 AM EST

MICHIGAN CITY — Charlie Smith was hunting deer when suddenly the 40-year-old Michigan City man said he thought he was the prey.

On Monday, Smith estimated at least 40 bullets whizzed by him with one flying just a few feet from his head.

“The bullets were flying everywhere around me,” Smith said.

He was hunting deer Friday in a woods at Hitchcock Road and County Road 1100 West near Michigan City when bullets from a semiautomatic weapon started hitting tree branches around him.

Smith said he got behind a tree and called a 911 dispatcher, who advised him to stay put until the gunfire stopped.

He was running toward his truck when the gunfire that had momentarily stopped resumed.

LaPorte County police talked to a man nearby, who told officers he was target shooting and thought a pile of wood chips as a backdrop was adequate to absorb the bullets.

He apologized and police, ruling the case an accident, did not arrest him.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:01 PM some dude wrote ...

how did this guy miss the hunter? i mean 40 shots geeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 4:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It was only a matter of time before the deer started shooting back!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:42 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Since the guy doing the shooting wasn't arrested, he must have been on his own property. Therefore, the hunter must have been trespassing.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 8:17 AM Anonymous wrote ...

WSBT should not edit what is printed. As supporters of the Freedom of Speech, they should allow this for the reader as well. And no, I do not work for WSBT. Sometimes I get just as frustrated reading others views, but listening to others opinions is important. We have got to get away from thinking that our opinion is the only one that counts.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:13 AM bee wrote ...

to predator,at least thats what your going by this time,your an idiot.cant you figure out something different to say other that guns make you the neat guy.im starting to think your a phsycotic weirdo.do you have a list?go get help now.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 1:48 AM Mike wrote ...

WSBT Why do you post these idiotic comments????????????

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 12:03 AM TP wrote ...

Was Vice President Cheney in the area? Oh wait, he would have shot the guy in the face.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 9:33 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

The guy fires off x amount of rounds into a wood chip pile he thought was sufficient for a target practice backdrop sending a hunter scrambling for cover and he's NOT arrested? OOPS!? An Accident? This is negligence and irresponsibility with a fire arm and a perfect example of what makes owning rifles and guns so unpleasant for fire arm enthusiasts. The ones who do it right get bogged down in the press of guys that do it like this and this guy doesn't even get fined. This guy shouldn't have guns

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 4:09 PM Charlie Five wrote ...

Wow! This hunting man is astounding me with Keanu reeves style Matrix antics in our very own woodland preserves! Why is other man having AK 47 submachine gun in this country ? Maybe he thinking he Dirty Harry making your day PUNK! There is smell of fishy up in my nose when reading this, I request to see evidence in CCTV format very much.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 3:50 PM Yuck! wrote ...

So Rick, you did a side by side taste comparison between Bambi and a 40 year man?

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 3:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...

SHHHhhhhhh. I'm hunting wabbit!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 3:03 PM predator wrote ...

Guns make me neat. When people know I'm a hunter, I'm the neat guy in the room. Guns make me feel like a grown up. People know I aint no weakling.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 2:16 PM Hunter Rob wrote ...

Justice, you are an idiot!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 2:08 PM OMG wrote ...

Now that we know the guy is okay it is sort of funny. Good thing it wasn't a thug - they don't miss (often) LOL

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 2:01 PM Lloyd Christmas wrote ...

"Harry, you're alive! And you're a horrible shot!"

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 1:50 PM Rick wrote ...

Yeah, but Bamby tastes better than a 40year old man. By the way, you should thank a hunter, he/she has kept the deer population down for many decades. You may have hit one of those deer and lost your life. Ever think of that.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 12:21 PM Stick wrote ...

Have to agree with Jim. I think maybe this poor hunter stumbled upon someones home pharmaceutical production facility. Maybe someone spent his stimulus check on an AR-15 squirrel gun. I don't think many hunters will frequent that area in the future.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 12:14 PM amused wrote ...

Do ... a deer a female deer Ray.... A moron with a gun LOL too Funny

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 12:13 PM Justice wrote ...

The hunter becomes the hunted! I for one love it when things like this happen.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:41 AM Politico wrote ...

Could have been Bobby Knnight...

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:39 AM Bamby wrote ...

Now you know how I feel!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 10:08 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

Lose some weight STOP wearing the Notre Dame apparel, Smile and for crying out loud don't wear anything with your first name on it for the next several months!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 8:25 AM Shoppy wrote ...

His name wasnt Dick Channey by any chance was it?

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 8:01 AM Well... wrote ...

Just Me, you don't think bullets "flying just a few feet" from his head is close? Although I sure do agree about the advise from the 911 operator..I mean, duh...I really don't see what you find so funny, though. I would have been scared to death.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 7:20 AM Just Me... wrote ...

Now that is funny!!! I can only imagine what that guys thoughts were when the "911 operater told him to stay put" until after the bullets stopped..LOL!!!! Now there is some good advice! Thank God for 911 operaters to give just the right advice at just the right time! And always provide the help required! I bet the bullets didn't even get close to the guy! But it did make for a very funny story!!!

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 6:36 AM Jim wrote ...

Two words...Meth Lab.

Tuesday, Dec 2 at 6:29 AM M.C. Hammer wrote ...

Can't touch this.

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