2) Never let your muzzle cover anything you aren't willing to destroy. (VIOLATION!!!)
3) Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. (Need more evidence, but probable violation.)
4) Know your target, and what lies beyond it. (VIOLATION!!!)
It never fails ...I have yet to see a so-called "accidental" shooting in which all four rules were obeyed.
The article says the kid was shot at 3am. Is it normal to hunt elk at 3am?