The Annoyed Man wrote: It's not always the novices who have it, and that was the point I was trying to make.
Yes, it would have been smart for the dead marine to wear orange in the woods during bear season, but that doesn't make his death his own fault. If there is blame to be affixed, it should rest with the hunter who fired a round that he could not account for fully in a safe direction. The authorities may have decided that he is not criminally liable, but that doesn't lift the moral responsibility from his shoulders, and I would not want to live in his shoes right now—trying to come to terms with having killed a vibrant young man because he didn't have a clear sight picture before dropping the hammer on his target.
That pretty much sums it up in my book. Terrible tragedy for the Marine and his family. Also terrible for the hunter and his grandson who live with the regret. A good reminder for the rest of us. Don't pull that trigger unless you are sure...hunting or self-defense.