Originally Posted by
hubby11
I think sometimes shooting at significant range, with proper shot placement, can increase the odds of DRTs. The reason being, the deer is less likely to associate being shot with the rapport of the rifle and less likely to have an "adrenaline run."
Without a doubt. The same “phenomenon” is observed when hunting with suppressors. Even shooting super-sonic ammunition with considerable blast, game often simply doesn’t realize the source of the sound, or maybe not even realize there was any sound made other than the sound of the bullet hitting their body (pretty common to hear the fleshy “thwap” of the bullet impact), so they might trot or stagger in any direction at all, and be alerted, but not alarmed.
Considering that bullet is arriving at 1300yrds a full 2 seconds before the sound of its report, the deer already has more pressing matters on its mind by the time it hears the blast of the rifle.
If you’ve never worked long range butts, it can be a bit disorienting when you hear the whiz and whap of the bullets incoming and impacting the targets before you hear the blast following along behind it. It really gives perspective to the fact bullets really are flying faster than the speed of sound when you’re on that end, with enough flight time for the two to noticeably separate.