Definitely a big YES. I have seen it happen. You can hear the bullet singing as ricochets off the water, gator (whatever) the trajectory gets screwed up and the bullet will make a whizzing sound. Don't ask how I know.

A 22 long rifle doesn't have enough power behind it so it skips like a rock off of water. Larger calibers disintegrate on impact because of how fast they are going. I didn't hit the kid when I found out how old he was. The mom wanted to call the cops and I told her to. The kid wouldn't look me in the eyes so you could tell he was lying about shooting at the gator, and yes it's a big time felony down here to shoot at a gator(I've got an uncle that can tell you all about that one, 20 years probation over it). I talked to the property owner this morning and got things sorted out. I thought I was pretty calm in the situation all things considered, but of course the wife thought I was insane in how I handled it.

you know, there's an episode of Blue Collar Comedy somewhere in this story

As Ron White would say "You can't fix stupid".

Well, put it this way, you acted more classy that i would ever act. Just make sure don't leave any bruises. :bat::bat::bat:

@ nipper: Oh yeah. Mythbusters did an episode of just that. If the angle is just right, it's no different than skipping a rock. Also, a gators hide is very tough, and as far away as they were with a .22 it's very feasible that it hit the gator and bounced back in any given direction.

@ ridge: That ideaology just doesn't exist anymore, at least since the late 50's it seems. I'm only 28, but I was raised with a lot more common sense than that. I've been trusted with a gun alone since I was about 7, but I had to earn that trust and keep it. I have kids, and they would learn the true meaning of a$$whoopin from me if they EVER pull a stupid stunt like that! That is, after they appologize to the victim, fix any damage, and relinquish any and all priviledges to firearms!
:devil:

Sorry to hear that ferm and good luck to ya with that situation!

The kid did apoligize to my mom at least, but I'm still pretty pissed about the whole deal myself. Things have been alot quieter over there after the neighbor came up and talked to me.

Sounds like you handled it the right way Ferm......its just like in sports, the ref never sees the first foul and the guy retaliating gets in trouble, had you beat the kid up, you risked getting jammed up.

If I were you, I would make a few notes on the incident in case something else comes up, even get a picture of the damage if there is any.

That way if need be, you can report the kid to Wildlife and let them deal with him.

Well Ferm, i just happen to be 17. If that would have been me i would have expected to get a major whoopin. I have been shooting guns since i was 4 years old and i know not to shoot at the water like that. I feel if he was dumb enough to pick up the gun and do something so ignorant he should have gotten what he had coming to him.