Walking Deer?
 

Is it ethical to shoot at a walking (not running, not trotting but walking) deer? If so, how much lead do you suggest? On a Leupold duplex reticle, would the transition from thin to heavy be enough at 100 yards?

Depends on the gun, At 100 yards some bullets will impact in a fraction of a second. A 12 gauge slug will take longer to get there. I have shot deer that are walking but I always try to stop them first. A super fast bullet will get there and the margin of error from the deer walking is probably less then what you most people can accurately shoot. Just saying some guns might have 3 inch or more group at 100 yards and the target would move less then that, again depending on the speed of your bullet.

A walking deer is a cake shot at reasonable ranges. All you have to do is keep your cross hairs or sight on the spot you want to hit as it walks. no need to lead at reasonable distance. I don't do it very often but I once killed a deer on the run at a little over 100 yards, I simply kept the crosshairs on the shoulder and hit her right in the crease behind the shoulder, If you are a decent shot, no problem and ethical, if not it isn't ethical so, don't shoot.

However, according to hunting ethics, shooting at a walking deer may not be considered ethical as the animal may not be presenting a clear, clean shot. The appropriate time to take a shot is when the animal is still and broadside. Regarding the amount of lead needed, it depends on the caliber of the rifle and the distance of the shot. It is important to use a caliber that is appropriate for the size of the animal to ensure a clean kill. As for the Leupold duplex reticle, the transition from thin to heavy should be enough at 100 yards, but it is always recommended to practice and familiarize yourself with your equipment before going on a hunt.

Whoes ethics? It is perfectly ethical to shoot a walking . I suggest you don't give adviice because you do not know what you are talking about.

Oldtimr, Shooting at a walking animal could very well be unethical. As the previous poster stated " MAY not be ethical": and I can give you one very good reason out of many, Heavy cover. Could be a branch in the scope that you miss, All kinds of reasons not to shoot at a moving animal, And then again, there are all kinds of perfectly ethical situations where firing would be 100% acceptable. As far as the rest of his statement, I don't see anything that's not completely correct. You saying not to practice with your equipment? You saying proper ammo for the species being hunted isn't correct? You saying distance shouldn't factor into the equation as to shoot or not? Sound's like perfectly reasonable advice to me. Granted it does seem a little "Googled" to me but still correct.

So my suggestion for you would be stop being so ill mannered and anti social. Also, I don't think that poster is from America and English may well not be his first language so maybe that would be why his few posts seem a bit "Googled"

When I want your suggestion I will asked for it. The OP's question was a simple one, is it unethical to shoot at a walking deer? There was no mention of the deer being behind heavy brush. or a long distance, or what kind of ammo should be used or any other assumptions. You could ask if it is ethical to shoot a standing deer and the answer would be the same, yes. Answer what was asked, don't take into consideration cirscumstances that were not asked about . You are not doing the OP any favors by complicating an answer to a very simple question, give him some credit for not being stupid.

Ya how dare suggest anything to this member ! Probably another new poster that will never return !

And when I or anyone else on this forum want's your rude and totally uncalled for insults then we will ask you for them. It's responses such as yours that keep new posters from posting. Or from even joining.

Acyually it is rude to assume the OP wasn't smart enough to know not to shoot through thick brush, your post was the one that was insulting. I gave him a straight answer , not a whole lot of who shot john.

Telling a poster to " not give advise because you don't know what you are doing" in no way whatsoever contributed to the original posters query. I have seen many posts by you just being an internet bully and I've just had my fill of it. You seem to be a very unhappy person that doesn't have the ability to pick on anyone in the real world, like most internet bullies are, so you come off with unkind and completely unhelpful comments on here. I haven't a clue why your rude comments aren't more closely monitored as I see your rude comments constantly. But I can tell you this quite easily, I don't deal well with bullies. I go by what my old man taught me years ago. Bullies are like balloons. Pop them hard and they go away.

Skippy, thr fact that you don't admit that your post assumed the OP was less than sensible shows me all I have to now about you. You started this bruehaha and your veiled threats do little to scare me Mr computer muscles. I have said all I am going to say on the matter. I am sure the OP is intelligent to tell who was trying to help him and who assumed he wasn't smart enough not to shoot into thick brush.

How ethical do you think it is to shoot a walking or standing deer? It can justly make a certain sound and give the deer a chance, otherwise it turns out very meanly ...

With a rifle, and you know how to shoot it is totally ethical to shoot a walking deer inside your range comfort zone.

if its the shot of my choosing, I know my rifle, my ability so will make the decision when the chance comes. have killed many trotting, and running whitetails. its up to the individual hunter to apply his own skill and his personal ethics to each situation.

Exactly right.

As primarily a still hunter, and now tracking as well...
I don't often see a standing deer.

I'll take advantage when I do.

i once shot a deer when it was running full tilt across an open field. i knew what my rifle could do and lead the deer. i hit it right behind the front shoulder at an angling shot running away from me. the bullet cane out through the brisket. deer took about two or three steps and went down. by the way my rifle is a 300 H&H mag and the deer was about 50 to 75 yards away. if this would have been in the woods i would have never attempted the shot.

I sure wouldn't hesitate to shoot a walking deer with a gun!