The New York Daily News scored an interesting story today when they announced that Harry Whittington, the attorney shot by Vice President Dick Cheney in a quail hunting accident a decade ago, is back hunting.

The Texas lawyer Dick Cheney sprayed with birdshot during a traumatic 2006 hunting trip recently bagged his first quail since the terrifying rifle mishap 10 years ago — but there has still never been a vice presidential apology.

Harry Whittington still has pellets lodged into his right cheek and neck from the Feb. 11, 2006 quail hunting trip, which went awry when the former vice president accidentally shot him in the face, he told the Daily News Thursday.

The 88-year-old lawyer said his son-in-law and some friends took him quail hunting last month in his hometown of Goliad, marking the first time he fired a shotgun in a decade.

“They just wanted to see if I could still operate a gun and so forth,” he said. “First shot, I got a quail. I thought that was very impressive.”

…

Recovery from the shooting and then other health issues kept him away from hunting for a decade, he said. He decided to give it another try this year after some encouragement from his son-in-law who wanted to see if the lawyer was still a hunting wiz.

Whittington’s first shot — which successfully took down a quail — proved he hasn’t lost his touch.

He likely won’t be as avid as a hunter as he once was, he said, but he hopes to make another hunting trip soon.

“This is a very good quail year,” he said. “If you’re a quail hunter, you need to get out there.”

I’d try to explain the difference between a rifle and a shotgun to the staff of the Daily News, but the staff of the tabloid simply doesn’t care to learn.

Whittington was shot in 2006 as he sought to catch up to the group of quail hunters from the rear after searching for downed bird, but didn’t announce his presence as he approached. When a bird from another covey of quail took wing, Cheney tracked the bird and fired to what should have been a safe direction…except that Whittington has returned, and took most of 200 birdshot pellets to the head and neck at a range of approximately 30 yards.

Whittington always took full responsibility for the incident. They mainstream media, to no one’s surprise, is still attempting to demonize Cheney.

We’re glad to see Mr. Whittington looking very healthy for an 88-year old, and we’re glad to see that he’s still an excellent shot who enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends.