I have never been a fan of the knife in the throat. Hundred deer under my belt in 20 years and never have I pulled the knife. It does not work for me....that's where I lose control..just to up close and personal for me....I prefer just another arrow.

I have a story to tell. My first ever deer I shot in the mouth-yes mouth. The button buck was running and I led him too far forward. I nailed him in the mouth at 30yds with a 12 gauge foster slug.[&o] I lost track of him, then I heard coughing. I followed the sound and there was my buck, gasping for air. I just stood there, petrified. I silently pleaded for him to just die. About a minute goes by, he throws his head back and it's over.
Moral of the story, new hunters will choke. Of course, I should of immediately sent another slug on it's way. The thought, however never occured to me. I was too panicked to think on such a rational level. Don't be too hard on this guy. He's looking for help and acknowledged he has made a mistake. I learned, and so will badger109.

My hats off to matters, BowHuntingFool, twildasin and the others who helped and encouraged him, you guys are good people ! Shame on you guys that sat there and ripped on him, come on, he's a young kid! Give him a break! He'll learn from this, experience is the best teacher! We all have been there. Congratulations badger!

Thanks everyone even for the criticism. I know now I should have goten right down there, or came right back out. That's the last time i'll ever carry two broadheads in my quiver (I had a field point and a judo point), and hopefully in the future I'll have a chance to draw and I wont get too excited. but it was shot in the spine and wasn't getting up, i felt I had made a good second shot, and didn't have another broadhead so I thought the best thing to do was let it die on its own. i was just really doubting myself though.

its a really big doe btw. ill have to get some pics.

congrats buddy you be watching fall in no time just hang in there.

good job. after the second arrow that you knew was a god hit, I probably would have sat and waited, but you did good. she probably died before you got out of sight. I really dont agree with slitting the throat. My dad spined one about 6 years ago. he was behind our house, and it was about 38 degrees out. This deer crawled into the water, which was about 3 feet high. My dad slit its throte. and it lived for nearly 2 more hours. With its front legs holding it up in the river, thrashin horn anytime my dad came near. there was no way to shoot it with a bow, and a gun woulda been illegal. so dont worry.

same here

this all brings up an interesting question.....

i was always told by my father to let the animal die with "dignity".

you shoot till it is down, but as long as you know it is a fatal shot (s), leave it be and let it go peacefully.


he told me he'd rather see an animal "go" on its own, quietly, than staring at us humans IN TERROR as we approach it (something we were never meant to do) for a final shot.

Am i conveying the idea clearly?

if i feel the animal is going to die without undue pain (i.e. bleed out) , then i won't add TERROR AND FEAR to the mix by running up to it like a maniac and trying to slit it throat. 9 times out of 10 , if it has been hit good by a broadhead it is in shock and probally not hurting too bad. It's gonna die.Just let it slip away

Congrats on your Doe!!!!!! Well done, you did good! I personally wouldn't walk up on a wounded deer and try and slit it s throat, you might get yours slit trying to do so!!!!! Once again, Congrats!!!!!!