I've seen people poke, and at the begining of my hunting career have poked, deer with their bows when they get up to it. I quit poking the deer because, even if the deer isn't dead and you poke it and it gets up, there is nothing you can do about it. Worst case the deer jumps up and starts kicking and sticking you. A poke in the butt or eye didn't make a difference, and there is no time to draw and get off a lethal shot. Even with a gun the only thing a poke in the butt will do is give you a chance to shoot it in the arse if it moves. So why bother? Mainly I only did it to give myself a, false, sense of security. How do you feel about poking adead/dying deer, and do you think it would make a difference to poke it and find it wasn't dead?

i dont think it really matters if people poke it or not. no matter what the only thing it might do is kick like you said. it could possibly get up and run another 20 yds but nothing is going to be done by poking it. i always walkup tothe deer with my knife in hand.

I think the only reason you might poke one, or I usually walk up to the butt and give it a little nudge with my foot, is because if the animal is going to thrash or try to get up, you want them to do it before you try to grab their leg to move them into field dressing or picture position, which could definately hurt. I saw another guy that just walked up and grabbed a leg and got his arm tore open for his trouble. As long as their eyes are open and glazed and no sign of life, they're probabaly dead. If eyes are closed...get ready.

The only reason I poke it is to make sure it won't be poking me back.

I laugh every time I see someone on those shows do that. I just don't get it. Look at the thing....it's not breathing, it's been down over a half an hour....what's the point?????

I agree with mobowhuntr, it's ridiculous and then they say, "ah he's done". It makes more sense to approach at such an angle you can watch the eye and then poke it, it's the only way other than taking it's pulse to know if it's completely done.

I usually call out a few choice names when I see them do that on television.....it's more like monkey see, monkey do on footages.....[&:]

look at the eyes to see if its dead if you want to poke him poke him in eye then if there is any life in him he will at least blink

A couple of years ago there was a story on here about a kid who tried to drag his deer out with his belt that was still attached to his waist. He went for the ride of his life. I poke all my deer and will continue to poke, prod and take the pulse of each deer before I stick my head anywhere near the legs.

what if it was a bear? would you rather poke it with a stick or weapon or with your finger?? i don't see anything wrong with poking them, like someone else said, then if they do some kicking or whatever you don't get hurt. Or if its a bear, you hopefully can shoot him again before he eats you if he has enough life in him.

Let me clarify....I don't have a problem with it....if you feel safer poking that critter, by all means, poke away. I just laugh at the "Stars" that do that, and the manner in which they do it. Cracks me up.