RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

ummmm right, about that... yeah ur gonna need to lead a running or flying anything.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I have shot many deer on the run. That is a very common shot the way we hunt with our guns. Last year I shot a buck on the run at about 65. I usually lead out in front of their nose. Got him right through the lungs. I have never wounded a running deer. This year I didn't take any shots because I had a scope. Before it was with an open sight

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I have shot several deer on the run. Most of the time, we were doing some drives and I was either sitting point or walking on the outside. Just lead the deer about an inch or two in front of the shoulder. It should drop them like a brick. When I have done this, you couldn't find anything left of the heart and they don't go far, just enough to stop tumbling.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Forgot to say that I use a shotgun, so that is why I lead farther than most people are saying.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

i usually hold right in fronta their chest even with their neck and keep swinging through. Usually catches em right in the shoulers or very closely behind it.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I'm surprised not more people said that it was wrong to shoot at a running deer, a few people said it, but not as many as I would have thought. Even the most accurate shot in the world is going to eventually fire a shot into the non-vitals of the deer and leave it with an injury that will eventually cause him to suffer and maybe die. It's just not a smart shot and personally I don't think anybody should be taking a shot at a running deer, but to each his own I guess.....:eek:

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Dear Lord Baby Jesus,
Firstly thank you for this thread.

People wound deer every season and make bad shotson deer that are standing still. Saying to only take a shot you are 100% sure will quickly kill the deer is just talk. It is what we all hope for but not realistic. How many wounded deer threads have you read about this season? Now how many of them were because the deer was running?

I have killed 3 deer this season running with no problem. I don't see it asa non smart or risky shot. However there are many different ways a deer can be running and shooting buckshot within its effective range seems to help. Each situation is different and the shooterneeds to be a good judge of the situation and his ability before just firing away at running deer.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Lets forget the ethics for a minute.When i shoot at a deer,i dont want to spend all day looking for him.He is going to stop some time and if i dont see when he does,mabe the next one.We have plenty of veni in the house,and when we run out,ill go get some more.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Eventually you'regonna miss Mr. Bad @ss, that's all there is to it, and don't even start with this Jesus crap.... :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

What's your point? We all miss.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Hold at the front edge of the brown and pull the trigger.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I was just kidding around, but my point is that eventually you'll fire a shot that hits a deer in the @ss and he'll be left wondering around with a bad wound. Just doesn't seem right is all, but again, to each his own.... :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

"Shake & Bake"!!

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I feel you dude. Only the most experiencedBad a$$ shootersshould be shooting deer on the run. I think alot of hunters take shots that they THINK they can take.
T.O. thinks he is the greatest WR of all time...that does'nt make it so!:D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Ya, TO is a terd. He's like a virus on every team he plays for.

Shake and Bake baby..... :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Because it's not worth it.

Just talk? An arrow doesn't leave my rest or a bullet leave my gun unless I'm 110% sure the deer is dead. What is your percentage 50/50 or so?

Why not?

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

110% sure eh? Well considering that's impossible I don't buy it. I don't care if the deer is standing still 20 feet away, unless you have a 12 gauge pointed at his head you can't be 110% sure that it will be a kill shot. Weird things happen and it can never be that high of a percentage. 99.9% sure is ok, but there is always that chance that something might happen. Hell, it could even be a faulty bullet that shoots way off target, anything could happen.

I think I'm just trying to say that shooting at a running deer is going to eventually cause a deer to suffer and that there is no such thing as a 100% shot, close, but not quite..... :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I don't want to sound liek the ethics police, but c'mon[:@]. I cannot believe there is an actual conversation and support for this.

Everyone knows that taking a running shot is less than ethical.

I have seen men that can shoot asprins out of the air with a bow, but they don't take running shots. Just because you can do it, does not mean it isthe right thing to do for the animal.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Sorry dude (NY Bowhunter), but your wrong. You may be a champion marksman, and never missed in your life, and always had your deer fall instantly...but there is NO WAY FOR ANYBODY TO BE 110% SURE OF ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR DEATH AND TAXES!!! Crap happens. You dont know the physiological condition of the deer you shoot. You have no idea how much " fight" can be in a deer. A bad shot can always happen, and there is no way anybody can be sure that a deer is "dead" at the moment you pull your trigger or release your bow. thousands of freak occurances happen man, and if you think you or your gear is "110%" sure, then you my friend have an arrogance problem...no disrespect implied...
My brother in law shot a wounded deer point blank in the head with a Winchester 30-30, and he DID NOT die. Most would think that shot is 110% sure to put a deer out of his misery...but it was'nt. And its not like this deer hade some wacky condition...he was wounded by an inaccurate hunter[&:]

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

The fair tax could actually help with the burden of taxes, but not so much with the death thing.... :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Everyone does not know or think that. It is your opinion, and that is fact.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Because it just doesn't happen. I have killed 7 this year, no wounded deer, but that doesn't mean I have not wounded one before or that I will never wound one again. In my originalpost that you picked a couple of sentences from to take out of context, I implied that it is the shooters call. There are too many variables for a question like this to be realistic. Lets be specific, is the deer running full speed, flat or bounding, how many deer are there, is it open woods, a cutover, a field, what is the weapon, the distance, and on and on and on and on.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

You are right.....it is simply my opinion.The sad partthere might be a youngsterfollowing this threadand reading the posts that say it is OK. They might not have the skills to be as proficientas you proclaim. What is he/she left with? A long blood trail? I wounded deer?A heart broken hunter?

If you choose to take running shots more power to ya, but please don't say and argue that it is ethical not matter how many times you have been seccessful.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I would hope that young hunter has a good mentor. Until you can tell me why it is unethical a running shot is just another shot. I should clarify that I do not advocate running shots with bows and have never taken one with my rifle but when it comes to shotgun hunting there is nothing you can tell me about a running shot. I wonder why "buckshot" was ever introduced, hmmmmmmm. You are missing the much bigger point it is the hunter that needs to be ethical and choose his shots based on the situation and his/her capability and knowledge. There are running shots I don't take but the ones I do take I am confident in and in no way will I accept being labeled as "unethical" because of thatshot selection. The proof of my shot selection is in my crock-pot right now. You call it whatever you want, I call it tasty!!

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

As I would "hope" they never take running shots.

The biggest reason a running shot is unethical is the increased chance that the shot will not be fatal. Pretty simple if you ask me.

Why not? If a bowman is "good" and accurate what is the difference? Why not with a Rifle? If a rifleman is a dead ringer, why not take the shot?
.
What does that have to do with shooting a running deer?

Again.........then why not with a Bow or Rifle?

Where do you draw the line? Is that where everyone should draw the line? I am not labeling you. I simply said that I think ?taking a running shot at a deer is unethical.

Mine too, but the deer I killed were standing still;)

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

sorry "dude" but can you point out where I stated I've never missed a deer? I agree s#$% happens and has to me too. My point is when I shoot at an animal I have my mind 100% made up the deer is getting a double lung/heart shot. Sometimes things go bad after the arrow is released or the trigger is pulled. However, EVERY single time I'm zeroed in on the vitals and will NOT fire untill I'm 110% sure of that it's going to hit the vitals. My comments geared towards this comment.

You have to have it in your mind that it is 100% sure or don't take the shot. Sorry "dude" to me it's more than "just talk". So go ahead and keep aiming at noses and "leading" deer blah blah blah. Sounds like a bunch of lead flying and wishful hitting rather than placing a shot in the boiler room.

To each their own "dude"

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

There's a single doe running across an alfalfa field at 65yards and you have a shotgun. She's heading towards some thickets and you have about 10 seconds from the time you see her untill the time she has made it to the woods

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

So I guess you guys who dont take shots are running deer because you may wound an animal and think its unethical to shoot an animal thats running or movingconsider all bird hunters unethical. Rarely do they get a shot when the animal has stopped.

If you dont feel comfortable talking a shot at a running deer or animal then dont. Don't come on here judging if its right or wrong. Dont take a shot thats out of your skill level if they need to standing still then wait til then.

You guys be careful on your soapboxs telling us about it being wrong to shoota moving animal(deer, bird rabbit all the same), theres a lot of folks on boxs right behind you saying its unethical toshoot them at all.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

We are talking abour DEER and no they are not the sameas rabbits or Birds.The animals you mention above are shot with Buck shot. To my knowledge it is illegal at least in WV to shoot a deer with Buck shot.

I guess I have trouble figuring out why anyone would take a running shot? Why not wait until a better shot is presented or wait on another deer? Why chance it? Is it worth the chance of blowing off it's jaw and letting it starve to death?

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

The increased chance the shot will not be fatal? Again, your opinion. I am a firm believer in the power of buckshot within its effective range.

A bow, a rifle, and a shotgun are all different weapons with different characteristics. When I bowhunt or rifle hunt I am still hunting and usually don't see running deer so I guess that is one reason but more importantly Iwouldn't feel confident with my bow or rifle shooting at running deer and it is not something I practice with those pieces of equipment. Now a shotgun is different for obvious reasons and shooting clays and other moving targets is pretty common practice.

I should not have said advocate in my earlier post just simply I do not take running shots with my bow or rifle. I'm sure there are many who can do it with a rifle(I'm not one)but a bow has some trajectory issues and I personallywouldn't feel comfortable or confident in that kind of shot.

You draw the line by knowing your equipment(in my case it is a shotgun) and what it and you are capable of. Anything beyond those capabilities you don't shoot.

I shot several deer standing still this year as well. The running shot is not the only shot I take but if the situation presents itself and the deer is within range it is all over but the field dressing and butchering.

I'm sorry you feel I am unethical, I'm sure if you hunted with me you would not think so.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

[ You have to have it in your mind that it is 100% sure or don't take the shot. Sorry "dude" to me it's more than "just talk". So go ahead and keep aiming at noses and "leading" deer blah blah blah. Sounds like a bunch of lead flying and wishful hitting rather than placing a shot in the boiler room.

To each their own "dude"
[/quote]

Well, "Sir", if you like that better than dude, you misquoted me. I did'nt say the "just talk" line. And I also didnt say "To each his own".
And your still full of it if you think that your shot placement is 110%. I get your point though. And I was'nt quoting you with the "never missed a deer" line. I said you may have never...ect I also never said that I was aginst a running shot. I just think that one shouldseriously weigh his/her options, and make the best decision that you feel is right. I have never taken a running shot, but I would if the situation was right. I consider myself an accomplished marksman, and still would be very hesitant with a running shot.BUT TO EACH HIS OWN...DUDE;)

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I don't think you are unethical. IMO a running shot lowers your chances of putting it in the kill zone.

Are you allowed to use buckshot when hunting for deer? Not 00 buck, but buck shot?

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

.

Again ... never said it was.I've had plenty of bad hits on deer.Sorry I'm not making it clear what I'm trying to say. To put it simple..... I don't shoot unless my pin or crosshair is behind the shoulder and confident it will be a lung/heart shot. What happens after that sometimes is unfortunate and unforseen (jumping the string, branch, equipment malfunction, etc....) But at the moment of truth I always feel confident I've given myself the best opportunity for a quick clean kill.

But anyway like I said a few posts ago........... it aint worth it ;). Back to the program. Happy hunting dude.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

You are quoting two different people but allow me to comment in reference to the "just talk" statement I made earlier. I too am 100% confident in the shots I take and hope that everyone else is taking shots they feel to be high percentage. But being 100% or 110%(in your case NY) confident in your shot does not guarantee 100% recovery as you said "s*#t happens". So what I mean by just talk is you can sit here and say every shot you take you are 110% confident in but in fact that is just talk because I'm sure you don't have 110% recovery rate or even 100% for that matter so what happened on the ones you didn't recover? I mean you were 110% sure you were going to hit the vitals right? So what happened between the time you were so confident and losing the animal? That is thepart that can not be "talked" about. The things that go wrong ormiscalculations or the unseen branch or the questionable hit or the blood trail that went into the swamp or the lack of a blood trail.

And to clarify more I never said anythin about aiming at noses or leading or blah blah blah, but way to lump everyone together.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

OK...I hear ya. Its cool. You as well...I hope my hunting is always happy.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

O.K. I'll humor you. IMO there is no shot here due to the distance. That is quite a poke for a shotgun. I know they will shoot that far but that is a little far for me.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

50 yards?

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I'm not sure what you mean. We can use up to #4 buckshot for deer. Most people I know shoot 00 or #1. I like copper coated #1 in a 12 gauge 3 1/2 inch. I believe there is something like 24 pellets in that shell and copper coated seem to group much better for me at 40-50 yds(that is about my max range withmy shotgun). I have been very impressed with the stopping power of this set-up.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

That's what the law is in WV too. I got the impression that you were talking about using something smaller........[:o]

I do not mean to sound like I am hollier than thou. I am not. Shooting at a running deer is just something I would not do. If you are comfortable and responsible with it Ok.

I just see too many opportunities for a bad ending.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Well I can see where your going with this and in the interest of honesty I will say that I would take that shot. If im hunting in VA and I have 10 seconds to shoot I can empty the gun accurately(3 rounds). Now hopefully it would not take all 3 but they would be there if I needed them. That is 72 #1 pellets or 63 00 pellets. That is a dead deer. In NC you can have 5 shots in your shotgun so that is 120 #1 and somewhere around 100 00.Despite what you think I understand your point and there is definitely validity in it but circumstances and situations and hunting styles are different everywhere and something youmight think is "unethical"may be common placein another region (I'm inSoutheast VA deer drives and deer dogs are common so I probably see more "moving deer"than some others).