Mountain Biker Almost Shot By Stray Bullet On Canadian Trail

A mountain biker was nearly shot by a rifle while riding the Blown Away trail in the Mt. McIntyre area outside Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

By Matt Miller
July 31, 2018 Last Updated: July 31, 2018

6 comments

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Steve Reidles on the Blown Away trail on Mt. McIntyre, Yukon Territory, Canada, where a mountain biker was reportedly almost shot. Photo by Lee Lau.

The Whitehorse Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is searching for a suspect who reportedly almost shot a mountain biker on accident.

On July 16, 2018 two mountain bikers were riding in the Mount McIntyre area outside of the town of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory when one of the riders was almost hit by a round fired by a person sighting in their rifle.

The RCMP is describing the incident as “careless use of a firearm.” They’re looking for someone who is tall, close to 200 pounds, 60-70 years old, and driving an older model, grey, Ford pickup truck.

“This trail is heavily used by the mountain biking and hiking community, and this type of activity poses a serious safety concern for trail users,” said RCMP in a news statement.

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RCMP posted the press release July 26, 2018. They don’t have any updates on the incident at the time of publishing. Witnesses of suspicious activity in the area are being asked to report information to 1-867-667-5555.

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6 Comments

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Moto Bike Mike Alabama // 2018
Jul 31, 2018

"Blown Away" trail... Sounds like the old guy needs to find a more appropriate place to sight in his rifle. Fortunate that no one was hurt.

0 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Jul 31, 2018

Glad he wasn't hurt, and I hope they catch the shooter so he learns his lesson. This could have given the trail name a whole new meaning.

I was once riding with some friends in South Carolina and a hunter in a deer stand just off the trail fired his gun into the air as we approached. I think he was mad we were scaring his deer away.

mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Aug 1, 2018

I had a very similar situation on the Kenosha Pass to Lost Wilderness Segment of the Colorado Trail a few summers ago. Some persons were obviously target practicing and moving along from location to location in the valley below the trail. As I was returning from the boundary back to the trailhead, the shooting got closer to me. At one point the group was obviously much closer, shooting off rounds but down below in the valley. Suddenly, one bullet went whizzing by me just above my head. I can't say for sure how far above me it was, but the whizzing sound was loud and felt like it was maybe 3-10 feet above me. It put me on the ground instantly. I started yelling down to them and all the shooting stopped. I never did get a look at them and just started riding on after it seemed safe ... ... riding on but a bit shook up.

rajflyboy North Carolina // 2017
Jul 31, 2018

Responsible gun use requires always shooting into some sort of backstop (especially with rifles). This should also be the case when hunting. Don’t take the shot unless you know where the bullet will stop.

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Matt Miller Colorado // 2012
Jul 31, 2018

Precisely, always know what's behind your target.

rmap01 Maryland // 2013
Aug 2, 2018

So Mr. Vandeman: should we assume by your dissertation that you approve of the shooter’s behavior? You seem to completely ignore the fact that someone could have died due to an individual’s reckless behavior with a firearm. What makes you think that a hiker [ON FOOT] would be in any less danger in this instance? It may be easier to try to understand your points if (a) you at least posted a response relevant to the article, (b) didn’t cite your own content as references, i.e. I don’t click on imbedded links to an unknown entity’s website and (c) you used something other than the “loam ride” example, which interestingly you didn’t leave a comment on that page.

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