Yes, its OK, this was how I was taught by a Forestry Commission ranger at my first kill (we had to remove a deer from a fenced off plantation of young trees (high deer proof fence - deer was inside when they put the fence up) - loads of cover, so we had to drive it out and shoot it with a snap shot with 00 buck at close range just to stop it) - seemed quite humane in the circumstances (i.e when something is severley wounded) which were admitedly quite unusual - using shotguns on deer here only by special licence in special circumstances thank goodness. Not sure I would want to do it to slaughter livestock like in the old days, but I think its acceptable with a badly wounded animal if done PROPERLY (and thats not always the case!) to a severely wounded animal. I've done it once at the roadside for a deer hit by a car and unfortunalty alive but horribly wounded. (always hope I get the same consideration if I ever get in the same circumstances!) For most animals tho' I think a head shot is obviously faster (if I've had to destroy dogs or sheep on the farm I've always used a double tap tho') , though not neccesarily apropriate for deer of course.