George, hate to disagree but I think Cheney is primarily at fault. Basic upland hunting rule---always know where your partners are. Basic upland hunting rule--never swing your gun on a bird without knowing your sight line is clear. Cheney knew his partner was retrieving a bird and he knew the direction where he was looking for the downed bird(or should have). He was only 20 or so yards away when Cheney shot. Being that close Cheney should have known. And finally, never lose track of where someone is that you are hunting with, especially upland bird hunting. When that covey takes off you have to know which shot is safe and which is not. Dont swing if you have not thought out very carefully all the safe directions to shoot. Just my opinion, but based on 50 years of very safe bird hunting.
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