How do you hit a running deer?
 

I know people that can jump a deer and shoot it on the run. I have never been able to do this. If a deer takes off at a medium trot its safe around me because I can't find it in the scope. I've tried practicing this with both eyes open but I tend to lose sight of my crosshairs with both eyes open. So how do people shoot deer on the run? Whats the trick?

Even if you are able to get one in your sights, do you lead it or aim right on? Do you hold the gun at a spot that the deer will pass and pull the trigger when he comes into sight or do you follow him with the scope?

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

You need to practice leading, before taking those kind of shots, practice where your bullet will be at such and such distance, ahead of the animal. I would never take a running shot.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

the only way to do it is with iron sights, its near impossible to get a running deer through a scope unelss its running slow... its easier than you think, if he running and doing that trot where it jumps than hits the ground than jumps, wait for it to hit the ground and shot right where you want to, and other than that just get it steady on the deer and pretend like its a big pheasant, no need to lead.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

First learn how to hunt treerats and bunnies with your rifle.
A good clay rabbit thrower is a good way to practice.
we used to throw walnuts across the yard for each other.

you will learn that lead is instinctive and follow through is most required.
hone your skills before attempting in the wild
My opinion

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

That bullet is there at point of aim in less than a half a second from when you squeeze the trigger. Just put your cross hairs on the area you want to hit and (most important part) keep following thru when you squeeze that trigger.Do not stop your motion or you will shoot behind it.Just keep following thru with your shot.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Usually with your truck. :D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Useing the hood ornament as your sights.:D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Yes, you have to lead the animal, and you would probably be better off following the animal with your scope instead of aiming at one spot and waiting for the right moment to shoot. And ABarOfSoap is right, shooting at moving targets with ironsights is much easier, but it can still be done easily with a scope if you practice enough. And remember, the farther away the target is, the more you have to lead.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I use a red-dot on my shotgun for push hunting. Moving deer are much easier to find with a red-dot than with a scope. I hit a running coyote last season with it at 50 yards. I was surprised at how easy it was to find him and get a bead on him with the red-dot.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Well you have to lead the deer properly according to wind and distance and how fast its moving as well as the type of deer. I find that whitetails will tend to run in a normal fashion so it easier to lead them but mule deer dont really run they hop along like a rabbit so they are really hard to hit right with a running shot(i know i dont take running shots on mule deer) butwhitetails if they are running and i thinks its a shot i can make i will take it.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Little balloons make good practice too, provided you have a place with a good backstop
on a windy day tie a balloon from a tree with 30-40 yards of string.
tie another ballon a little higher up
stretch first balloon string around second in a way that it will release ballon1 when you shoot ballon 2
thanks to a simple slipknot it is pretty quick and you can do it by yourself.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

i have my rifle gun with a raised scope on it, so if its running i have the iron sights

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Ridgerunner submits good advice, but I think it also depends on what type of terrain the deer is running through. If it's a field where there are no or few obstructions then yeah, swing and lead the deer like you would a rabbitt, but if its thick or wooded country where the "openings" arenumbered, then is the time to figure out which opening its going thruand get there and wait one second before he does

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Most people have no business whatsoever shooting at running deer. Many can't hit a deer standing still let alone running. If you can't don't!

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Yeah,but those guys aren't the ones on this website:D:D:D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

There arethree types of leads that shooters use when shooting at moving targets.


The sustained lead; This is where a shooter holds a certain distance in front of the target as he follows it along through his sights.m He holds the same distance of lead until he shoots.


The swing through; This is where a shooter tracks the target, moving his sights, starting from behind the target and swinging sights up through and in front of the target and shooting. This style requires less lead than the sustained lead.

The last is snap shooting; The shooter finds an opening in front of the target and waits until just before the target crosses in front of his sights before shooting.



Shooting moving targets requires practice.

In my younger days, several of the local sportsmans clubs use to have Running Deer Shoots.


They had a target of a running deer tacked to a sheet of plywood. The plywood was rigged with pulleys and rode on a cable.

The distance was 100yds. Each shooter had 3 shots. The target had the vital areas marked and also nonvital areas. Each area had points ( Similar to a 3-D target)

Heart, spineand brain was worth 5 pts.

Lungs 4pts.

Liver 3pts

and so on.

Each shooter had his points totaled and the winner was the guy with the highest points. Ties were resolved with a shoot off.

I remember those days. I learned a lot about shooting at moving targets back in the day.


The target was pulled by an electric motor in which speeds could be varied.


Several clubs had this set up and it use to draw quite a crowd. I don't see them much these days.

One club use to fill gallon water jugs and tie them on the plywood. they'd turn the motor speed way up.

Each shooter payed 1 dollar per shot.

The pot would build until the jug was hit. I have to brag, and say, I won it several times. Of coarse that was when I was back in my early twenties and all my friends and I did was shoot.We went through countless bricks of .22 shells.

I remember that sometimes I'd have a sustained lead of about a foot or more,at 100yds, on that deer target to get it in the lungs.

If you kepp the scope power turned down, you will find it much eaiser to find moving targets. Just turn the scope up on distant, still targets.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

One reason its hard to get one with a scope is because normally when a deer runs from you its because you spooked it up from close range and a scope is ment for long range so its hard to find something running in something that is makeing things look 10 times bigger. it depends on the distance for leading it or not and it depends on the gun also.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I wouldn't ever try it. Why risk wounding an animal? No deer is worth the risk. Even the best shooter will make mistakes shooting running deer. That's one place where I draw the line.

Don't lecture me on the subject, that's my opinion.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Shouldn't miss it if you tried then if it's 10 times bigger then?:D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Aim for the nose

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

First, you're not ready, so don't attempt this, yet anyway.

You need to practice as others have stated. Here is one way to do it;
Rolling wheel - get an old tire, one that is pretty tough, like a truck tire. Carrige bolt some plywood on the inside and staple targets to it. Have a friend roll it down a hill that has some bumps. The bumps will make the tire bounce and simulate a deer jumping through the woods. Most who understand this way of shooting agree that the shot should be taken while the animal is in the air, since it is "committed". Meaning that it cannot stop, change directions, or speed as they can while on the ground. But this is a very challenging shot. The single biggest reason for its challenge is that you can’t take advantage of the accuracy associated with being surprised by the shot like you would if you were shooting at a still target. You will have to pull the trigger knowing that the gun is going to fire and you will flinch. This applies to timing the shot, meaning finding an opening and shooting though it when the deer is passing through or with leading, meaning keeping the gun on or just ahead of the animal while it is moving.
So, you'll also need to get to know your flinch. You can do this by standing while aiming your weapon. Have a friend command when to shoot. As soon as the command is given, you need to shoot. Since the danger that is causing you to flinch is understood, always in the same spot (five inches from your face) and expected, your flinch should be somewhat consistent. Once you know how you flinch, you'll be better at making these shots and you should use this info while practicing. I have found during my practicing, that I am the most accurate with the single bead on the end of a smooth bore shotgun barrel. Next would be a rifle with iron sights and lastly the scope. Further, I would recommend using slugs rather than buck shot. Some will disagree, but there are many advantages to slugs. They are distance, energy at any given distance and the biggest one for this topic would be either hitting the animal or having a clean miss. If you hit an animal with just a few buck shot pellets, they will most likely live for a while or recover. You may not even think that you’ve hit them, and only track them for a short distance if at all. I don’t think this is a fair way to treat these animals. A slug normally leaves no question whether there was a hit or not. The animal will either collapse right there on the spot, run only a short distance, or if the hit wasn’t great, there will still be a great blood trail.

For those of you who disagree, please go study the ballistic coefficient of buck shot pellets before arguing. It does have some very poor numbers.

On another note, I would first recommend not jumping the deer. This is your best case for a good clean shot. If you are continually jumping deer and you are using a scoped weapon, it sounds to me like you were in shooting range and didn’t see the animal was near by. You should be using binoculars, moving very slowly and scanning the entire area before proceeding. Shooting at a moving animal to me would be the last choice, only after all else had failed. Further, since I do not require the meat from these animals for me to survive, I would and have elected to pass on these shots.

Good luck,
KP

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Practice, Practice, Pratice at moving targets!

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Jake, I love your avatar, now I don't feel so lonely.:D

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Coudln't have said it better, Reb!!

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Double Post!:)

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

How can you say that? You have to adjust your aim depending on distance, wind, and speed of the target.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I think it takes practice. Ive hit a couple bucks running and it is tough. Missed a few big ones too cause they were running. for me it isnt hard finding them in the scope its just the lead and all that and hitting them. i hit a coyote in the head at about 300 yards running full bore. that was intense. i double lunged a nice 4x4 this year, it was hit it the ass but it was still running really fast and i just killed it for him so we didnt have to go chase him. if i have to ill take running shots but if i think hes gonna stop soon ill let him stop

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I never take that shot. To riskey at wounding the deer, buts that just me! My old man is an expert at that shot for some odd reason.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I dont think anyone can answer your question correctly without knowing where you hunt and what you hunt with. In general if you walk slowly thru the woods and jump a deer you cant just aim for the nose or worry about the wind.

You should have the scope somewhere around a 4x setting and pick your shot, most times if you are in the woods you have to use openings to shoot threw. Any of the mentioned methods are good for practicing. You need to be fairly confident with shooting offhanded with your rifle. The situation is always changing though so there is no answer someone can give you that will always work. Most times when I jump a deer it runs away from me and not left to right from me, So the best you can do is aiming at the front half of the deer. Ive shot bucks running straight away in the butt, with the correct bullets\gun they are still lethal shots.

I mainly hunt hardwood mountain terrain in WV.When Im not hunting out of a tree stand(broadside take you time shots can use about any gun)then I am slowly walking threw the woods. It seems to work best on windy days because my movement is hidden a lot better and it seems like you can walk right up on them compared to a still day. After or during rain is a good time too because it easier to walk quietly. I think Rifle choice does matter when you hunt deer you expect toshoot running. I use a Ruger Deerstalker in 44mag. Its an autogun, its about the only time I think you need a quick 2nd and 3rd shot for deer is when you jump them, there are other rifles that work good in this situation also just depends on what you are comfortable using.

Im no expert about hunting this way but I can tell you that patience is very important, take your time and walk slow, remember you can never kill a deer with the gun slinged across yourback, so make sure you carry it so your ready to shoulder it very quickly. Practice by finding something in the woods like a downed tree or rock break or whatever stands out and shoulder the gun and see how quickly you can get it in you sight picture. Up to about 100 yards or so I can pick out whatever and throw the gun up and its in the scope, thats mainly from practicing throwing up the gun and aiming at something.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

The best advise i can give is to stop the deer.This wont work if he knows where you are,like you jumped him.but if hes running past,ill draw,aim, and yell HAY!!Believe it or not they stop on a dime and give you 5-6 seconds.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

You have to keep your scope power low like 2-4X. You also have to have your gun set up so when you pull up your gun it's right where you looking. If not you might need to have your stock fitted or adjust your scope. I've had real good luck with my Remington 760. A nice wide angle scope will also help. Practice picking out something in the woods and see how quick you can find it in your scope. You can even do this at the range. Lower your gun and bring it up as fast as you can, pick out the target and fire. If you get good at this at 100yrds you should be able to hit a deer no problem. The other problem is how fast they are running. I had to lead a deer by about 3ft one time. It was running flat out broadside to me at 100 yrds. The first shot I put right on the shoulder and it hit the dirt behind the deer. By the third shot I had it dialed in and dropped it. If they are closer and only at a good trot, put it right on the shoulder, maybe slightly forward. Always be ready for a second shot and watch the deer's reaction. If you are focused you can see where your bullet hits and make an adjustment with your follow up shot. Some gunning clubs have a running deer shoot a few times a year. If you get a chance, go it's almost like the real thing. Some guys think this is unethical, but I don't really care.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Putting this thread inFull Metal Jacket context"AnyBuck that runs is a VC, Any Buck that stands still is a well disciplined VC, How do you shot Does and Fawns??? Its easy ya just don't lead Does and Fawns as much..."

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I agree get him to stopor find one that will

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Pull up next to him then turn sharply into his path!;)

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

You don't.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

In my experience, you don't hit a running a deer. They usually seem more then happy to hit you while traveling on the PA turnpike.

In all seriousness, I'm very confident in my shooting abilities and have no problem hitting a target 500 yards away without a scope. But when it comes to a running deer, I'd probably pass on it. It's not worth the risk of just injuring the sucker and never seeing the deer again. Patience.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Most likely the only way the average hunter could make that shot would be if they used buckshot and the distance was around 20 yards.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

I don't shoot a running deer, but that's just me.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

Dont think about it with a scope. Iron sights it's not that hard. I usually aim about an inch infront of the shoulder's/chest. And buy the time the bullet reaches the deer it will usually hit about 4-8 inches behind the shoulder. Every deer I have killed has been running.

RE: How do you hit a running deer?
 

with my truck....