Wounded a running deer :-(

If you dont try, and learn from it. You'll never know.
Practice, practice, practice.

For most western Canadian hunters it's all they've got, for a shot.:D

Off hand shooting is a disciplined art, when learned and well executed, is lethal with most shots at running game @ relatively close range(inside 200 yds).

Who will try 100 yd shooting, standing, unsupported at the range this year, just to see how they fare?
NOT MANY.:( Unfortunately).

Try free hand shooting at 100 yards first, to learn you're limitations as to how far you should shoot in the field.

That's the saddest part when we try to shoot game running with rifle in hand and standing, with no rifle support. and no knowledge of where the bullets are flying.:mad:

We should all at least try a few rounds while standing. or do we fear what we will see?
 
I grew up shooting off hand. I had never steadied a rifle on a branch, log or bipod or similar until I moved west. I did once in a while take a sitting shot (we called it eskimo style), but I would not hesitate to take an offhand shot in any situation, ...I will shoot offhand to 200 yrds with my 30/30.

I'm not a fan of running shots, but with open sights I'd have to be in the situation to make the decision.

I watch many a tV show where Coyotes are shot on the run.
 
My concern with running shots is that you can't possibly be certain of what ELSE is in your field of fire when you're swinging that barrel and firing in a split second. Where is that bullet going to end up if you miss? Seems like a very dangerous and foolish idea.
 
jtaylor67 said:
My concern with running shots is that you can't possibly be certain of what ELSE is in your field of fire when you're swinging that barrel and firing in a split second. Where is that bullet going to end up if you miss? Seems like a very dangerous and foolish idea.
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A very good point that I never pondered before. A stationary deer, you can give a real good check of the area before you shoot. But a running deer could be in an entirely different area when you pull the rigger, especially if you happen up on it running or spook it,....
 
sealhunter said:
A very good point that I never pondered before. A stationary deer, you can give a real good check of the area before you shoot. But a running deer could be in an entirely different area when you pull the rigger, especially if you happen up on it running or spook it,....
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This past Thanksgiving weekend, a group of us went camping in an area that is used throughout the year for ATV & dirt bike riding. Besides us, there were 3 or 4 other groups of ATV/Campers, and as it turned out, about a dozen or so hunters as well. There were shots going off in the vicinity all weekend.

There aren't many places left where a hunter can go out and be assured that there is no one else around for miles. I think it's a responsibility of anyone equipped with a firearm to make damn sure they know what's in their line of fire before pulling a trigger. When I read that there are people taking hurried aim at a moving target and then firing when it "feels" right, it sends a cold shiver down my spine.
 
When you stand on a watch for an hr you pretty much know what's going on around you, & if your still hunting it's much the same, if you don't know what's around you there's not much chance you'll ever see that deer anyway ;)
 
walksalot said:
There is no doubt the running shot is one of, if not the most, HIGH RISK TO WOUND shot in a hunting scenario. The speed, distance and amount of lead has to be calculated in a split second. Most of the time it is simply a best guess, a less than accurate calculation at the best of times. A little talked about skeleton in the closet of many hunting strategies as this is the majority of the shots presented. Most do not have a way of practicing this type of shot so the only way to practice is on an animal, a hell of a way to learn.
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Not meaning to pick on you but your statement in bold leads me to believe you have not practiced on any moving targets. I know when starting it seems to baffle the mind how you can calculate all those elements quick enough, but in short order it follows natural. Those of you here that duck hunt regularly will understand, I'll bet not many can remember all those calculations (speed, distance, amount of lead) when shooting ducks!

I personally don't consider myself a good shot, & would not shoot at a running deer over about 100yds, but then most shots here are much closer, the doe I got this year was about 10 feet from the end of my barrel. The hardest shot by far in my opinion is the slower moving BoUnDiNg deer :cool:
 
jtaylor67 said:
This past Thanksgiving weekend, a group of us went camping in an area that is used throughout the year for ATV & dirt bike riding. Besides us, there were 3 or 4 other groups of ATV/Campers, and as it turned out, about a dozen or so hunters as well. There were shots going off in the vicinity all weekend.

There aren't many places left where a hunter can go out and be assured that there is no one else around for miles. I think it's a responsibility of anyone equipped with a firearm to make damn sure they know what's in their line of fire before pulling a trigger. When I read that there are people taking hurried aim at a moving target and then firing when it "feels" right, it sends a cold shiver down my spine.
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I personally would not hunt near a well used ATV area...on the other hand I would also not go ATVing in an area where there were hunters in an open season both out of saftey & respect for other land users!
 
senior said:
I personally would not hunt near a well used ATV area...on the other hand I would also not go ATVing in an area where there were hunters in an open season both out of saftey & respect for other land users!
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It's not as simple as that. We arrived on a Thursday after a 4 hour drive. The hunters started showing up the following day. The ones we talked to were from the same city, so they also drove 4 hours to get there. Now which of us packs up and goes home? Who gets to decide?

This is crown land. It is not designated exclusively for the use of ATV riders, hikers, or hunters. We all need to share the resource responsibly. When I'm in there riding my ATV, it is my responsibility to ensure that I operate it in a manner that will not endanger those around me. When I'm in there hunting, it is likewise my responsibility to ensure that I handle that firearm in a manner that will not endanger those around me.

When I'm out hiking or riding my machine, I'm not worried about the hunter that is taking care to wait for the right shot before pulling the trigger. But now I will be worried about the fool who thinks shooting at a running dear is no different than shooting at an airborne duck.

Just how important is that one deer, really.....
 
So your saying if you had got there second you would have packed up & went home :cool:

Why do you need to go ATVing in an open deer rifle season??
Can't you wait the 2 weeks rifle season might be open?
Sounds like you the kinda guy that because something is legal it must be alright to do it?
 
senior said:
So your saying if you had got there second you would have packed up & went home
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Read it again. I didn't say any such thing.

Why do you need to go ATVing in an open deer rifle season??
Can't you wait the 2 weeks rifle season might be open?
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The season runs from Sep 1st, to Nov 30th in this WMU. But that's not the point. Hunters, ATV riders, hikers; they all have the same right to be there. If everyone uses some common sense, they can all enjoy their activities in safety.

If you create a culture of fear by promoting the idea that people cannot safely enjoy the outdoors during hunting season, the inevitable outcome will be further restrictions on hunting - not hiking.

It's disturbing that you feel there is even a valid reason to debate this. My hunter training course stressed the importance of taking a shot only after carefully determining that it was safe to do so. Apparently, yours did not.

I'm not a very experienced hunter, so last night I called someone I know who has been an avid hunter for over 50 years, to ask him his opinion on the matter. He told me that he's never personally witnessed anyone doing something so irresponsible. Then he added, "but I don't go hunting with morons". I thought that pretty much summed it up.

Sounds like you the kinda guy that because something is legal it must be alright to do it?
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You mean like impulsively pulling the trigger on a moving target without knowing where your bullet will end up if you miss?
 
If you start out doing something not too smart and do it for 50 years, your experience is nothing more than 50 years of doing something not too smart.

You may be a novice hunter, but you could teach a few experienced hunters, a thing or two.

SAFETY FIRST
 
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7mmlefty said:
If you dont try, and learn from it. You'll never know.
Practice, practice, practice.

For most western Canadian hunters it's all they've got, for a shot.:D

Off hand shooting is a disciplined art, when learned and well executed, is lethal with most shots at running game @ relatively close range(inside 200 yds).

Who will try 100 yd shooting, standing, unsupported at the range this year, just to see how they fare?
NOT MANY.:( Unfortunately).

QUOTE]
Interesting.
I was at a shoot at a range a few years back. It was a bit of a fundraiser. One of the games was to hit the steel gong, 12 inch circle and about an inch thick, with a scoped .25-06. Standing off hand shot at 200 yards. It cost $5 per round. Alot of experienced hunters/shooters lined up and laid their money down to try their hand at this and embarassed themselves, myself included. The club made a pile of cash.
I agree with you Lefty!!!Shooters/Hunters need to practice.
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Brno8x57 said:
I agree with you Lefty!!!Shooters/Hunters need to practice.
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I also agree.
I for one practice on moving targets on a regular basis.Almost everyone in my area chases deer so it is more likely you arent going to get a standing shot.
I also practice at the bench out to 200yds even though 90% of the shots I will be taking would be under 100.I wouldn't feel comfortable taking a shot further than 250 because I don't practice for such a shot.I would be confident however taking a shot at a deer running through hardwoods at 75yds though.
 
jtaylor67 said:
I'm not a very experienced hunter, so last night I called someone I know who has been an avid hunter for over 50 years, to ask him his opinion on the matter. He told me that he's never personally witnessed anyone doing something so irresponsible. Then he added, "but I don't go hunting with morons". I thought that pretty much summed it up.
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Well, then your old buddy has never hunted in Saskatchewan because here lots of people push bush and shoot running deer.

I run ATV's in bush trails as well, but I don't ride with morons, so I don't ride during hunting season. That pretty much sums it up.:slap:
 
2fat2fly said:
Well, then your old buddy has never hunted in Saskatchewan because here lots of people push bush and shoot running deer.

I run ATV's in bush trails as well, but I don't ride with morons, so I don't ride during hunting season. That pretty much sums it up.:slap:
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And you can get away with that (for now) because you're in Saskatchewan. Move to a more populated province with that attitude of yours that only hunters can be out in the bush during hunting season, and you'll eventually be back here crying about how "the anti's" are pushing for more hunting restrictions. Make no mistake about it; you'll hunt only as long as it is tolerated by the majority. Piss them off, and kiss your pastime good bye.

A better solution is to be as tolerant of non-hunters as you'd like them to be of you. If I'm out riding and happen to discover that you're hunting in an area that I've ridden into, I'll do my best to stay out of your shooting lane while I ride off away from you. All I ask in return is that you actually have a shooting lane, and know what's in it. If I'm hunting in the area, I promise to carefully define and observe my own shooting lane, so that I don't accidentally clip you or anyone else. Even if you're too thick to see the sense in that, I suspect your family would appreciate my effort.
 
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