Kevin Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Apparently an Oklahoma elk hunter was killed near Quemado Lake by lightning. Bad luck for sure, but don't seek shelter under a tree when lightning is popping. Can't get the link to work, but you can copy and paste. http://www.scsun-news.com/ci_13327292?source=most_viewed Kevin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Lightning is definitely not something to be messed with. My husband almost got struck in our backyard the other day!! Scared the crap out of me since I was watching when the bolt hit our neighbors place. The thunder clap was deafening and instantaneous. That is serious POWER! We had some close to us again last night at a party and moved into the porch out of the open. I have been guilty of taking cover under a juniper tree during intense hail storms like the guy that got killed. You have to do something or you just keep getting battered and bruised by the hail. Standing in the open never seems like the smart thing to do, so I just try and not choose the tallest tree or the one on the top of a ridge, etc. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakehaffey Report post Posted September 14, 2009 I had a tree catch fire from lightning just down the canyon from me this past archery season. Scary stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted September 14, 2009 I thought this was some good easy advice especially that last paragraph: Use the 30/30 rule. When you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, quickly go inside a substantial building. If such a building is not available, a metal-topped vehicle is the next best choice. Wait at least 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning or hearing the last thunder before going back outside. Get off the water, out of open spaces, and away from trees. The two mostly deadly places you can be are in open spaces or under trees. Avoid open spaces and trees during thunderstorms. Also avoid things that conduct electricity such as water, utility lines, and metal fences. Get to a safe place as quickly as you can. A substantial, enclosed building is the safest place. A metal-topped vehicle with the windows up is the next best alternative if you can't get to a building. Boaters: Get off the water and go to a safe place. Swimmers: Get out of the water and go to a safe place. Players on open playing fields: Get off the field and go to safe place. Golfers: Leave the golf course and go to a safe place, such as a clubhouse. Hikers: Turn around and go back to a building or your metal-topped vehicle. Your last resort is stay low and stay away from trees and other tall things. If you're still outdoors and lightning has struck close to you, crouch down into a ball on the balls of your feet. Your goal is to be the smallest target possible with the least contact with the ground. Do not seek shelter under tall or isolated trees or unsubstantial shelters. It's better to be wet from the rain than dead or disabled from lightning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntAtty Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Anyone who hunts in August and September faces this issue nearly every trip. I for one hate being caught in severe thunder storms, but if you hunt there is no way around it. A couple of seasons back I found four dead cows that had been struck by lightning in 24a in Novermber (way late in the season). Unfortunately for them they were laying next to a juniper tree that got struck. What was unnerving about it was that it happened in November and the tree was not the tallest in the area and was half way up the ridge. I would have expected the lightining to hit the taller trees on the ridge top. You never know... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 I'm glad this was brought up and I was pretty stupid during this last couple of days archery hunting up under the rim when I got cought 2 days in a row with lightning striking all around my ground blind. I could have gotten out way earlier but had the feeling my buck would come in at any time and stayed to long and then thought the quad ride would have been more dangerous that sitting there. I had decided if it was going to happen then I wouldn't feel it and I went happy doing what I love to do. PLEASE DON'T BE AS STUPID AS I WAS! Get out when it's coming and think of what you might put your family though if it happened. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Cows and horses creat static Electricity. They are hit often that may be what drew the strike to the tree with cows under it. I get the heck away from horses when lightning starts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NRS Report post Posted September 15, 2009 My son and I were on a friends antelope hunt in 2b last weekend. Whenever the lightning got close we got into the truck and waited it out. I was making sure my son was learning the proper thing to do around storms. As you can see from my avatar, my tent was one of the taller things around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted September 15, 2009 I had a tree catch fire from lightning just down the canyon from me this past archery season. Scary stuff! Saw the same thing while bear hunting 2 years ago. Lightning exploded a juniper across the canyon from me with flaming branches falling out of the sky. Awesome to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
