What would you do?
01-04-2008, 03:18 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 338
RE: What would you do?
ORIGINAL: IAhuntr
I'd never purposely take a ham shot. A shot to the spine is completely different than a shot to the rump.
I'd never purposely take a ham shot. A shot to the spine is completely different than a shot to the rump.
01-04-2008, 03:27 PM
#13
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
RE: What would you do?
ORIGINAL: waiting_for_a_gift
So then are you saying that you would totally pass, or just hold high in the situation I described? If you're presented with a broadside look at the rump, a bullet striking the upper third would shatter the pelvis, and the deer would go down and never get back up.
ORIGINAL: IAhuntr
I'd never purposely take a ham shot. A shot to the spine is completely different than a shot to the rump.
I'd never purposely take a ham shot. A shot to the spine is completely different than a shot to the rump.
, but I'd never say never.I've seen wounded deer get hit in the rump on a second or third shot on more than one occasion and often all you end up with is damaged hams. You never know where a bullet may deflect to when hitting bone. You could also easily miss this spine orpelvisand end up with 'meat shot'. As was pointed out earlier by another member, if you'd passthe same shot on a smaller buck or doe, then you should pass it on the deer in question imho.
01-04-2008, 04:25 PM
#16
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 7,208
RE: What would you do?
Don't take a broadside ham shot, regardless of the size of the deer. As a younger kid I hit one there by accident and it was a horrendous ordeal. I finally got the deer, but believe me it could still move pretty good and it was a long chase. Don't do it, no deer is worth it.
01-04-2008, 04:27 PM
#17
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 752
RE: What would you do?
ORIGINAL: waiting_for_a_gift
You are hunting on the ground with a rifle. A deer approaches through heavy cover. You can see it well enough to determine that it is a big buck, possibly Boone & Crocket. When it closes to about 40 yards, you bring your gun up, and the deer stops and looks up at you. You’re looking through your scope; the deer is facing you, on red alert. It prances a bit, turns broadside, and all you can see is rump, but that tail is up, this hunt is going to be over in just a second. If he bolts, you’re not going to get a shot at all. Do you shoot him in the rump?
You are hunting on the ground with a rifle. A deer approaches through heavy cover. You can see it well enough to determine that it is a big buck, possibly Boone & Crocket. When it closes to about 40 yards, you bring your gun up, and the deer stops and looks up at you. You’re looking through your scope; the deer is facing you, on red alert. It prances a bit, turns broadside, and all you can see is rump, but that tail is up, this hunt is going to be over in just a second. If he bolts, you’re not going to get a shot at all. Do you shoot him in the rump?
01-04-2008, 08:17 PM
#19
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Trumbull County, Ohio
Posts: 9,520
RE: What would you do?
First off, It shouldn't matter what deer it is, treat them all the same. That being said...I would prolly pass the shot..... I've seen lots of deer shot in the hind quarters and none of them have gone far. But I would pass and wait for a better shot.
01-04-2008, 09:13 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 338
RE: What would you do?
Yes, I've already made up my mind, and yes it does make a difference that it's a trophy buck. The scenario I described is realistic for the way I hunt, and I've thought it through. I would never take that shot on an ordinary deer, but I've never shot a trophy buck, only seen a couple. I'm confident that a broadside shot to the ham with a rifle would put the deer down and I would take the shot.
Now if I was hunting say, in Texas, where they're like livestock, no. In my neck of the woods, a buck like I described is basically a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm goingto knock him down. Yes, I hit one like that by accident one time and it was a mess, but he dropped immediately and was no problem to recover.
Now if I was hunting say, in Texas, where they're like livestock, no. In my neck of the woods, a buck like I described is basically a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm goingto knock him down. Yes, I hit one like that by accident one time and it was a mess, but he dropped immediately and was no problem to recover.