Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Hey guys whats your take on releasing an arrow on a moving target. Do you take moving shots or do you always try to stop a buck/doe first? I am just curious on everyones take and experiences..good or bad...

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Of coarse I always wait for them to stop but if it becomes clear that they are not going to stop I will shoot at a deer moving at a slow walk. I have never shot at a fast moving deer with my bow.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I ALWAYS try to stop them first.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I took a movingshot at the biggest buck I have ever had an opportunity on last year, and the buck is still walking right now :(

I think it was actually the accumulation of a few differentvariables working against me, that caused my arrow to travel far from where I wanted it to. Either way, I will probobly never take another moving shot again. I passed up 2 1/2 year old bucks for 5 years waiting for a buck like this, and everything went wrong!!

ok, Im done crying about it now [:@]

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Silent I am with you I always try to stop them first...but will take a short ranged slow moving deer shot....and feel comfortable doing it.

Mr. 4pt..thats exactly what I was wondering...... what if he wont stop..and hes moving slowly will you take the shot.. thanks.. Ido not want this thread to turn into a big ETHICS post.. I am not talking about flinging arrows at a RUNNING DEER..I am just curious as to the experiences, perspectives and philosophies of our members on moving deer... and shooting them with a bow...


Steve thanks for sharing... I hear what your saying and feel for you and understand why you wouldnt want to take a moving shot....

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I get to kill a lot of deer each year. As of todate I have only shot at 2 moving deer. The 1st one the arrow was pushed back by the nee joint and came out the back leg of the deer.The deer was brood side just slightly angled away.So the arrow made a total change of direction.
The 2nd deer broak the arrow off with his frount leg. Only leaving just under 4in of arrow in the animal. I am asuming it was string jump that broak off the arrow.
I was very lucky onthe 2 deer. Theywhere shot in very open tarain so I had no tubble finding them.I would not shoot a deer in the timber on the walk.I would however do it agin in open tarain.

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RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

That's definitely a slippery slop type of question. I will take a moving shot in very close range situations when the animal is moving slowly but only after I have tried to stop the animal. JMO

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

i have shot a few very slowly moving deer. double lungs..I generally try and wait for them to stop. It doesnt always work as we have planned though.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I will take a slow walk, short range shot any day.

Edited to add.... broadside only, no angles on a moving shot.

I've only taken 2 and they've both been perfect shots.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Agreed. A fast moving deer is a tough shot with a gun, let alone a bow. However I believe that a slow moving deer at close range can be harvested with a bow without much difficulty, especially given the arrow speed that much of today's equipment is helping us achieve.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I try to stop them. I always draw first, and then, if it's clear that he's not going to stop, I give a quick bleat or Psssst noise with my mouth. I make sure the pin's buried on his vitals before I make a sound, and the second he stops, the arrow is in the air.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I've never had to do it, but I would if forced into the situation. But only up close and walking slowly

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I've actually shot several deer walking and always had pretty good luck with it.I killed my biggest deer with my bow, a 131 7/8 inch 8 pt.,at a fairly fast paced walk. He was chasing a doe and I shot him ata distance of 7 yds. He ran less than 50 yds. and I watched him fall. All, but one of the deer that I've shot walking were less than 10 yds. when I released. I did shoot one last year at 34 yards walking. She had come in close and busted me when I went to draw. She made a few hops, and then slowed down to a fairly slow walk. I was already at full draw as she straddled a fallen over tree I had previously ranged at 34 yards and I shot. I double lunged her. She ran less than 40 yards. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have taken that shot, but in the moment, I did, and I got away with it. At close range I see no problem with it.It's just as high percentage of a shot as one standing stillup close.At over 20 yards, I think it's getting a little iffy. I always have hunted with the philosophy, that if it's a shot I'm comfortable with at the moment, I'll take it. I don't have specific angles, yardages, etc. that I will or won't shoot. If I'm confident in myself, to make that shot, at that time, I'll shoot. Of course, I'll always try to stop the deer first, but if it won't stop, and it's in a good opening, and I have time to get on it, it's going to have a bad day.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Hi ya Troy.

Never at a running deer, but a trot or fast walk, maybe/possibly, depending on actual conditions. I have stopped them also by vocalizing a grunt as I am at full draw.
Bobby

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Not me. never did and never will
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RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I'd rather a deer be stopped but I have taken several deer at 20 yards or less while they were at a "very" slow walk. I've taken one nice buck while he was running and he was at 5 yards chasing a doe. I led him right and dropped him is his tracks, not 10 yards from the base of the tree I was in. I want to stress I would have never taken that shot under any other circumstances! Again, I would much rather a deer be stopped.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I always try to stop a deer because if it is moving and you shoot at it your arrow can hit farther back than you wanted it to.

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

Exactly, all you have to do is lead them a little bit on a walking deer. If broadside and walking I will put the pin on the front shoulder, when the arrow arrives the goody box will recieve it with joy. :D

RE: Shooting at a moving deer ????
 

I try to avoid it .