Dear C.A.S.H. Members and Supporters
by Jim Robertson
As I write this, it’s a historically significant day for the world of anti-hunters, especially for those keeping track of hunting accidents, as we here at the Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting do with keen interest in hopes that they may someday help bring about the group’s stated goal. Today, November 3rd, 2025, will forever be known as the day that Richard Bruce Cheney met his maker at the relatively young age (by today’s standards) of 84.
According to People Magazine, Dick Cheney, the 46th Vice President, “was widely considered the most powerful vice president in U.S. history, wielding significant influence in President George W. Bush’s white house.” Yet, few would argue that perhaps Dick Cheney’s greatest claim to fame was his accidental shooting in the face, neck and torso of his 78-year-old hunting partner, Harry Whittington. Whittington had been retrieving a downed quail and scared up another covey, prompting VP Cheney to open fire.
Shooting his acquaintance that February day in southern Texas was a source of ridicule for him. And although he was known as a military hawk during his years as secretary of defense, Mr. Cheney purportedly considered the hunting accident “one of the worst” days of his life.
Meanwhile, countless other everyday sport hunters have had the worst days of their lives this hunting season as well. Many literally lost their lives and still others may have wished themselves dead, as 2025 is shaping up to be yet another banner year for hunting accidents. Though precious few have received the kind of press that Vice President Cheney’s hunting accident did, many were fatal and still others involved young people pushed into the sport possibly before they cared to be.
You can see the latest incidents for yourself on C.A.S.H.’s Hunting Accidents page at abolishsporthunting.org. There you’ll find recent, clickable headlines, preceded by their state’s postal abbreviation codes and learn of incidents such as, “ID: Riverside County Sheriff’s lieutenant fatally shot by hunting partner,” or “ME: Brewer woman shot while bird hunting in northern Maine,” or “CO: Third hunter dies in South San Juan Wilderness.” And in a couple of incidents reminiscent of the hypothetical scenario presented from a repentant hunter’s point of view in my article, “A Killer’s Confession” in this issue of the Courier, “IA: Iowa teenager killed in hunting accident” and “AL: Hunting Accident claims life of Englewood Elementary student.”
And the list goes on and on. Clearly, Dick Cheney’s famous hunting accident wasn’t the first and won’t be the last of its kind—at least not until society finds the courage to abolish sport hunting for the good of all. Meanwhile, stick with C.A.S.H. and we’ll continue to do our best to get us there.