Wayne,
The hunting accident was reported on the news Friday evening. There were not many details, and it was still under investigation. Common gun sense will tell you not to point a gun (loaded or not) at anything you don't want to shoot, and DEFINITELY don't put your finger on the trigger. Sounds like the unfortunate shooter did both of these.
I am thankful my dad taught me all the important gun safety facts when I was about eight to ten years old. I was introduced to guns and rabbit hunting around that time. My first weapon was my grandpa's Winchester model 67. For anyone who don't know, that is a single shot bolt action 22.
I could hit more things with that 22 single shot than most people could with a 12 gauge automatic shotgun! If you don't believe me, just ask my dad.
By the way, you don't want to know what would have happened if he caught me not following the safety rules. One morning I let the barrel get too low and drag in the snow for a moment. (Remember, it was about as long as I was at that time.) Boy, did I ever get a good chewing out for that! I was also told I had better not shoot it for at least half of the day.