"We all assume certain risks in whatever we do," Whittington said. "Whatever activities we pursue and regardless of how experienced, careful and dedicated we are, accidents do and will happen."
Whittington, wearing a suit and tie, appeared with several bruises on his face and neck. His discharge from the hospital came earlier than expected.
"My family and I are deeply sorry for all that Vice President Cheney and his family have had to go through this week," Whittington said.
Minutes later in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Cheney delivered his first speech since the shooting in an appearance before the state Legislature.
"Thankfully, Harry Whittington is on the mend and doing very well," Cheney said after receiving a standing ovation from lawmakers. Cheney, who grew up in Casper, Wyoming, said returning home was "a wonderful experience" after a "very long week."
The vice president remained publicly silent about the shooting for four days until a television interview Wednesday when he accepted blame, saying it was "one of the worst days of my life."
Whittington's departure from the hospital comes a day after President Bush and local authorities said they were satisfied with Cheney's account of how he accidentally shot his friend while quail hunting on a south Texas ranch.
Bush said he "thought the vice president handled the issue just fine, and I thought his explanation yesterday was a powerful explanation."
"I'm satisfied with the explanation he gave," Bush told reporters after meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Bush also said he knew Whittington, an Austin attorney and major player in Texas politics, and that he and Cheney were concerned about the man's condition.
"It profoundly affected [Cheney]. Yesterday when he was here in the Oval Office I saw the deep concern he had about a person who he wounded," the president said. "And now our concerns are directed toward the recovery of our friend."
