2nd shot

[alaus24]

What ,where is the ethical spot for a second shot? Your shot is off a little, say you got a shoulder bone. The animal is down not a lethal shot. Where is the best place to end it?

 

[jables]

The two times I've taken a second shot was to put the animal down where it stood. Both shots were put into the vertebrae in the neck behind the ear. The first shots were both kill shots, but I didn't want to track either animal as darkness was fast approaching. I've seen several close-up kill shots put into suffering animals that were either head or neck shots. If going for the head shot, watch for antlers!

 

[Lead Loader]

if they arent moving and down, back of the head is the best

 

[sheephunter]

Head or heart.

 

[hawk-i]

behind the ear.

 

[skhunter]

I shoot the heart\lungs so it bleeds out.

 

[blasted_saber]

Head.

 

[kennymo]

Depends on how it sits, can you get close without it trying to take off again? Go for the cleanest, most fatal shot you can take given the situation. The head is great if you are close enough. It's a small target though, and may be in motion.

 

[Nester]

Head. Quick and fast death.

Don't eat the head do you?

 

[xeon]

Depends on the distance. Last year I got my deer with a really hot load of 3 1/2'' 00 buckshot from 35-40yards. It dropped him on the spot possibly because a pellet hit the spine, but he was still kicking around and I didn't want to see him suffer for more than he had to. Since I didn't want to scatter another 15 pellets at his back or side from that distance and possibly damage and waste a lot of meat, I hurried down my stand and ran up and gave a quick shot from 5 yards to the heart/lungs. It was pretty fast after that.

Typically though, just aim for a follow up shot either in the vitals or head that isn't going to damage too much meat but is going to put them down as quick as possible.

 

[mcpiper]

If it's still mobile I aim for the heart and lungs. I've broken two deers backs with muzzleloader and approached from behind for a head shot.

 

[Magellann]

I try for a head shot too, unless its a ways off, then I go for the lungs.

 

[beefman]

In the couple times I have had to, it was in the heart/lungs. Animal laying down, angled the shot, 1/4ing going away. Wanted to save the antlers/cape.

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

Always the brain stem.

 

[headspace]

I have taken 3 follow up shots on down deer (laying on the ground but not dead). Always in the back of the head. Death is instant and as already said here no more meat is wasted. If concerned about breaking antlers than at the base of the head where it meets the neck.