Make dam sure if you shoot a deer especially a large buck that it’s dead...

I was always told to poke the shit out of it with the barrel, and one in the chamber. First thing to do is slit it's throat ASAP. We never went for trophy's.

 

Can't eat the antlers, they are just a bonus

 

Rudolph the red nose reindeer, had a very shiny nose.....

 

All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names..... Then he ripped their fucking face open... the end.

 

So, with what looks to be blood on his forehead. Did he get his pic with the trophy after the incident, before the hospital? He is not smiling, probably feeling stupid.

It is a good looking buck.

 

Logic and shock aren’t really good friends.

 

Here in CO new young hunters are taught that they are "harvesting" an animal. Game Management Units here are explained in detail. Yes you are "hunting" but harvesting at the same time, hence Game "Management" Units. The majority of the $ that's spent on hunting licenses in Colorado goes towards habitat rehab, hunter safety courses, and game management education. The anti hunt/kill animal crowd needs to understand that wild animals such as big game need to be managed. This is done by harvesting and maintaining habitat. You can't hunt or fish here without paying an extra $10 for a habitat stamp. Also 25 cents paid towards every "harvest" permit goes towards a fund pool to cover rescue costs for the rare hunter that gets lost. Usually the ones getting lost and then rescued are out of state hikers not equipped with common sense and are typically anti "hunting" as a rule.

 

I typed vitals, but was referring to the head. A final shot to the head will ensure an animal is down for good. I've never hunted for trophies so head shots from 10 - 15 yards aren't an issue. Even still, a second shot from close range isn't difficult to place with precision. Done right, there's minimal meat damage.

I've personally seen deer pass the poke test and then start thrashing around once handled. Luckily neither of the two times I saw it happen ended in injury. One of them actually up and ran for another 100yds into thick cover and we almost lost it. Of course a better initial shot would have prevented that but so would have a follow up shot once we first approached.

Yes, seriously. Naturally, good practice is proper shot placement and to leave the animal alone until you're certain it's dead. It never hurts to be sure though. You see what a deer did here. Now think about walking up on a bear. You sure as heck make sure a bear is good and dead before you get anywhere near it.

 

A simple rock or two will suffice in most cases to determine if a critter is dead. No way in fuck would I walk up to a downed bear and tap it with my rifle...just sayin...….

 

Same in Washington. It's why I don't mind putting in for hunts I won't get or raffles because I know the money is going to a good cause. And I agree, more nonhunters need to realize it's the hunters that are funding habitats and the animals in them. The older I get the less I care if I fill my tag or freezer, it's just about getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. Successful harvest is just icing on the cake.

 

Haha talk about poking the bear!

 

"You sure as heck make sure a bear is good and dead before you get anywhere near it. "
Preaching to the choir here. Been hunting now for 50+ years. I just went with your comment to finish off the animal by shooting it in the "vitals".

 

Nope...and personally i don't hunt preditors by myself. Cougar/bear

 

I wouldn't even chuck rocks at it. LOL. When I hunted bear, we would get within 25 yards or so once we figured it was down then send another round right into the base of the skull then wait another 10 - 15min. "Paying the insurance" as it were. Bears of tough fucking buggers.



It's all an interesting academic discussion for me now though. I haven't hunted in 6 years. Pretty well gave it up after a bad experience...ironically dealing with a deer that I didn't make a good shot on. Said experience also revealed my poor choice of hunting "partners" and that didn't help either.

 

Never cared about about taking a Puma but I've had bear meat a few times and liked it. Bear populations need to be managed to. In AK bear is quite popular to harvest and eat. I saw beautiful Doll Sheep near Seward, AK. Not predators but I don't care to ever bag one.

 

I'm not talking about tossing pebbles. LOL I did already mention that double tapping is the way to go...…..

 

It's what did it for my dad. It was a memorable hunt but he took it bad. Hit and wounded one and took 2-3 miles to locate and finish. Funny enough though the darn thing circled back on him and died 100 yards from the bronco.

 

They used to play that on the radio many years ago on the rock station here.

I was reminded of this one.

 

https://youtu.be/pkIUwZOArts

 

I always get my cougar and bear but never hunt. It's a cheaper package to get elk, deer, bear, and cougar with small game then it is to just get them individually. And since I'll be in the mountains during open seasons I always carry a tag for them. Never shot a bear or cougar, but if opportunity to get one was there I would take it. I always hunt with a buddy in the mountains. To much shit could go wrong. I hunt solo in the desert. Another reason to love Washington, mountains, desert, rainforest; it's pretty diverse.

 

Like Oregon too! Hard to beat the PNW.

 

I love the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. Love to hunt Oregon and Idaho someday.

 

That sucks. Really puts a damper on a good trip. Did he ever get back into hunting or did he call it quits for good?

I tried a shot that was I knew was probably too long, but felt I could make. Gut shot the deer. I wanted to wait till he lay down, give him some time, then make a stalk and finish him off. The two guys I was with insisted on driving up to it (it was in a field) and getting it done quick because we were running out of light. Naturally the truck coming up sent the buck running. We bailed out and the deer stopped running. As I was putting on my ear pro to make the final shot, one of the guys touches off his 7mm Rem Mag about 18" from my head. I didn't have the ear pro on all the way. Thought I blew an eardrum and was totally out of action for the next couple minutes. I could only watch as "my" deer tried to keep running and the two idiots I was with gave it the firing squad treatment from 50yds. . Finally a lucky shot to the spine put it down. We pulled 7 bullets out of the meat.

Haven't bought a hunting licence since. Swore to myself if I ever hunt again, it will be solo trips only. Still have my hunting gear. Still get a sick feeling inside when I look at it and consider going out again.

 

Was raised in western Oregon but eastern Oregon kicks butt.

 

Yeah, that would be enough to turm me off too.

 

Sounds like you just need better hunting partners.

He didn't give up totally, but he has let a lot pass that I wouldn't. Hasn't got a deer sense. I think he hunts to just go with me, which I love. We don't split up like we used too. Good time spent together though.

 

East side in my opinion is best for Oregon and Washington.

 

Yep...totally different than the wet western side. bigger bucks too. Black tails are dinky. Although the west side does have giant Roosevelt Elk. Big elk here in CO but nothing like the Roosies.

 

There are some huge elk here. Unfortunately i have to draw to hunt. Hopefully i get drawn 2-3 times in my lifetime. None yet.