I heard quite a bit of shooting yesterday. Day #8, and quite a bit less today. I killed a Deer today. (Day # 9). Good luck to everyone.


Edited by - Nine_Point_Buck on 11/24/2002 22:19:52

You know, I was so mad when I read this post that I probably shouldn't even respond but somebody has to tell this guy. I don't know how old you are but I think you should take a hunting saftey course before you venture into the woods again. If you've aleady attended one, go again for a refresher.
After getting shot in the back last year with a 12 gauge slug, I can no longer just pretend ignorant people don't exist. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt first by thinking maybe you just used a poor choice of words in your question/statement.
First of all, if you pull that trigger and you consider yourself "Lucky" if you "hit one" after missing one or two, please tell me which state you hunt in so I never have the misfortune of being in the same area you are in. When you pull that trigger, it shouldn't matter which way you are positioned, standing, lying down, sitting, etc. In order to cleanly and humanely harvest game, you have to have confidence in your abilities and equipment. Confidence comes from practice and more practice. If you are not confident you can cleanly shoot an animal, don't pull that trigger! It's as simple as that. If you are able to consistantly hit the target by using a rest whether it's a tree or a elbow on your knee, then by all means, use it. If you know you have to take several shots at moving game, shooting off hand, that ought to tell you that you shouldn't use that method if you have to hope you hit something. Too many accidental shootings occur that way. I hate to sound like a prick, but buddy, I'm telling you the truth. You're asking for nothing but trouble if you hunt and have to ask questions like the ones you just did. I was hoping others would have the nerve to speak up as I hate to keep harping on safety, but somebody's got to do it. Looking at a lot of posts on this and other boards should be scaring the crap out of a lot of honest, safety conscious hunters. It sure doesn't seem to be doing that though. That's the really scary part.

I absolutely second that. If you don't know that any rest is better than no rest and that a tree is better than a knee, you really need additional education before hunting again. From the wording of your post, it is a safety issue as well, you need to enroll in a hunter safety course. Your ethics also come into question and I am a firm believer that everyone's ethics are a little different, but you really need to re-evaluate yours as they are way outside of the norm for responsible hunters. Not being good enough to quickly and humanely kill the deer is an ethical issue. How many deer have you wounded in the past 6 years? How long do you spend looking for them? Lest you think that the folks on this or other boards are just running at the mouth, I can assure you that most hunters hunt in a safe and ethical manner, every time afield. Wounding a deer is one of the worst things that could come out of a hunt in my opinion. I have wounded one, in 1988, and it still bothers me to this day that we couldn't find it after a day of looking for it.

I shot my Deer today free handed. Hit right where I was aiming. I really like my Remington 870. My first year with it...
I practiced while out hunting resting my left Arm against the side of a Tree. That works well on steadying your Gun Barrel.
Another thing you can do is... slide your right foot beneath your left foot, and prop your left elbow on your left Knee.
But today... I shot free handed, as the Deer slipped up on me before I knew it.
I'm a efficient Marksman shooting freehanded though too. Just like today!

Edited by - Nine_Point_Buck on 11/24/2002 22:34:48

Ninepointbuck, please, stop and think about your efficiency. I have never missed a deer. Ever. 20 kills and the one not found. If you are missing a deer per year, I guaruntee you are wounding them and just cant tell. You are such a bad shot that you miss by feet but not by inches? Believe me, some of the deer you think you missed probably were hit but left no blood trail. Missing a deer or two a year is an absolutely pathetic record. I would be embarrassed to admit that. Frankly, I have never heard of anyone saying that. At least you are concerned enough to ask about improving, that is commendable. Please, practice first and take a safety course, you learn way more than just safety at a good course. How do you sight in your gun, mebbe it isnt you but it is your gun? One shot kills are not a standard to judge competence. I have shot 4 mature bucks at less than 30 yards with a 12 ga slug and couldnt tell they were hit, even though the shot went right through their boiler room. I literally couldn't have placed my shot better. Hearts completely blown up. And no response from the deer. Thus none of them were one shot kills, yet they were perfect shots (none traveled farther than 50 yards from the initial shot).

Thanks for agreeing with me CodyDawg. His response is exactly why I was reluctant to say anything in the first place. It is typical of a lot of these young guys. They don't see anything wrong with what they do whether it is ethical or not. I feel sorry for the young guys that really put safety first and are conscientous hunters. This kind of thinking is what gives hunting and the attitude of a lot of young people a bad rap. Oh well, you can lead a horse to water....right?

I have to agree with crowpecker and codydog. If your that bad a shot either stay home or get some training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I shot a doe one year she ran over a 100 yards no blood trail. When i found her she was dead 1 shot with a muzzle loader straight through the heart. I'll bet you've wounded alot of game. Deer are tough animals and all they want to do is live. When we shot all they think about is running and getting away.

I'm sorry too, for getting offended so easily on your replys back a month ago...
I had a succesful hunt this year after all. Did'nt come easily, but it's nice coming out on top... when faced with some adversity.
I did'nt see any Deer at my old spot the 1st 5 days of Gun Season. So I scouted then moved 1/2 mile back deper in the Woods. Seen me 8 Deer in 4 days there, before tagging my Buck today. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>


Edited by - Nine_Point_Buck on 11/25/2002 05:34:20

Nine point I'm not putting you down. In your 2nd responce you said you missed a HANDFULL. Say what you mean. What I think that everyone is trying to say is that if your doubt with your shot then don't take it. There will always be another day and another deer. I believe that I'm a good shot but I still go to the range. I don't mind a little corrective criticism from the other shotters. Besides your the one that asked the question. One thing that you might want to try. aim your gun at your target (paper plate etc...) while standing close your eyes and count to 5 slowly. Now open your eyes and see where your gun is aimed. If you moved from one side or the other try moving your feet. Keep doing this eventually you should be able to look at the target close your eyes then open them and you'll still be on target. this will help in the woods because it will become secound nature to you. It will make the shot hit.

I absolutely agree. If you can't be confident that the first shot will make a clean ethical kill. Don't take it! It's YOUR responsiblity to know YOUR limitations.

BUT, I don't think attacking Nine Point Buck personally and insulting him (her?) is the thing to do (See rules.......and think about it).

Good hunting wished to all.

Say a prayer and say thanks to the Lord at the harvest of all game.




Now.....&quot;Go Get Ya One!&quot;


Uncle Matt (Here in Illinois)