Jasonlester

I shot a small buck years ago in WV. I was hunting with my 12 gauge and shot the deer perfect through the heart. The buck took off on its death run and out of sight. A minute or two later I hear 2 shots. I follow the massive blood trail right to the guy. The deer was dead in seconds I have no doubt. This guy (and his buddy) claimed he shot it at a full run and ...get this...hit in in the head and chest with his scopped .308. Ok fine...I ask can I look. I lift the deers leg from the oposite side I shot him from and see the massive 1" hole perfectly behind his shoulder. It had passed through and hit his off side knuckle. I wanted to be absolutly sure I had killed the buck so I staid and whatched the guy field dress it. He pulled the heart out in peices. His bullet never found the chest that I could tell. In fact it looked like to me the guy walked up and shot it in the head after it fell.(perfect entry and exit hole in the head with no other damage). The more he talked the more I believed he just wanted to claim he killed one. I doubt he even tagged it realy. He told me, among other things, he had only recently sighted in his gun he had been using for years, I should have aimed higher. He was realy talking alot and I could tell what had happened.

I killed that deer and probably could have made a fuss. But I figured he needed it more than I did. I just let him have it.
So as for hunting on public, or private land for that matter, With a gun I make sure they are down. If I can at all get another round at them I shoot.Especialy if they beed where I can see them.

I think your first shot probably wouldn't have killedhim. I would take that into consideration if Ishot one and someone came up. If I thought the wound to be fatal...I'd give it to them (especialy if it was a younger hunter) but a wound like you describe sounds like it wasn't fatal. He bedded because he was hurt sure. But he probably was just nursing his wound.


You still have your tag so go get a bigger one.

Charlie P

I would have proably ahve given it to you,but it really doesn't sound like you made a kill shot.

To the guy's saying first Blood,you saying if I shot a buck low brisket and it travels 400 yards and some guy double lungs it, I should claim that deer?

BarnesX.308

I would have shot him again at 20 yards when he first bedded down. It's not like it was a dove flopping around. Bullets are cheap.

hossdaniels

He killed it, if you wanted it you should have killed it with the first shot. Practice, practice, practice, then choose your shots carefully, and practice.

crokit

My thoughts exactly, regarding Rambo theory.

JimmyMo32

if the deer died shortly after you shot it then it would be yours. however, since both of you made bad shots and he had the final shot, it is his for the taking.

JimmyMo32

Its possible you could have "nicked" the lung but the deer ran 600 yards after the second shot! The deer clearly is not your because w/o the second shot that put it in even more pain, the deer might be in another state going. Also, were you using a Bow? If so that was a dumb shot to take at 55 yards

Kid

I gotta go with the guy who brought it down. This scenario is exactly why i always try for the high shoulder shot when ever possible. Some people say it wastes too much meat, but not as much as giving up the whole deer! I like to put them down where they stand or as close to it as possible.

excalibur43

There was definately no artery hit. If there were, he would have been lucky to make it 50 yards. The buck belongs to the person who put it down permanently. I would suggest both of you practice your shooting skills.

StealthHtr22

SHE??? The picture/story is of a buck? hmm...I believe the deer should be tagged by the other hunter as well. On the hoof=fair game.