The thread about if anybody ever truely ever needed the follow up shot of a semi got me thinking. I'm not really looking to stir up anybody, but I'm just curious as to how many hunters out there that worry about a quick follow up shot, what ever action is used, also hunt with a muzzle loader? One shot is all you're going to get from a smoke pole, and a good portion of us choose that to hunt with that as well. I'm not saying that I never require follow up shots, of course I've taken my share, never with a muzzle loader mind you. Also I've never carried a single shot rifle while hunting other than a .22 rf while out for small game etc. When it comes to big game hunting and it's rifle season, I've alwayse carried a repeater, a bolt though, but that's just how I started hunting and still do. Is it just that people are more careful with muzzle loaders because they only have one shot? Do we hunt differently because we are using a muzzle loader?
follow up shots vs choosing your shot
- Thread starter bronco_mudder
- Start date
i would hope no matter what your shooting, that you would want a quick clean kill. i dont think anybody wants to purposly wound with the first shot and then put it down with the second or third. but it happens, im just saying i dont think thats anybodys intent.
mjcurry said:
Of course nobody would intentionally wound an animal, god I'd hope not anyway. That wasn't really what I was getting at with my post. I was just wanting to see how many people that are concerned about quick follow up shots also hunt with a muzzle loader? Also if people hunt differently because they only have one shot (style of hunting), or if they're just more careful because of it(waiting for the perfect shot)?
- Location
- Silver Creek
bronco_mudder said:
Yes
LSB
I would never use the availability of a fast follow up shot as an excuse to take an iffy shot.That being said,I have on occaision used a second shot to provide a quicker kill.However,in all cases,the bolt action was quick enough to provide the follow up shot when it was required.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
A fast follow up is just insurance. The first shot should be the kill shot.
As it certainly must be when I hunt with the XBow.
As it certainly must be when I hunt with the XBow.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
After many years of hunting with Traditional Archery gear, I have learned that every second counts in getting setup for that 2-10 second window from no shot to a chance to take the animal. And there has been times where I have just watched an animal wander off having missed the chance to shoot. That would be the learning phase.
With a rifle , methods of hunting are, if you desire,changed aloth, more open terrain, an example. So I would load 2 sometimes 3 rounds in a bolt gun. But still in my mind I was bowhunting , which messed me up a few times
where I waited for a perfect bow shot , and a rifle shot was right there
Silly , but it happens
Frank
With a rifle , methods of hunting are, if you desire,changed aloth, more open terrain, an example. So I would load 2 sometimes 3 rounds in a bolt gun. But still in my mind I was bowhunting , which messed me up a few times
where I waited for a perfect bow shot , and a rifle shot was right there
Silly , but it happens
Frank
bronco_mudder said:The thought behind this was if we're careful with one type of firearm, why aren't we as careful with another?
we are careful....... like chosing the space/time/conditions you hunt in from the start.
A bow hunter has no reason to worry about 150 yds shot nor is he inclined to chose a spot with a clearing to widen his angle. Most animals have to pass directly under/ by him for a good shot.
A muzzleloader hunter chooses the hunting groung based mainly on the sick's capabilities. One of my favorite places for moose overlooks about 400x350 yards of swampy terrain. a careful shot is essential as the moose needs only a short run to dissapear.
There are 2 bushes in the middle of that place. A ML shooter would have to go there to even think about hunting the swamp. He will only see a patch of 100x200 yds. Is a 150 yds shot easier than a 400 yds one? Of course !
But chances to see the animal are reduced. Is this what you call careful?
you can absolutely choose to hunt with a rifle the way you hunt with a bow. Unlikely to take advantage of that early season......
If you reffer to Jim Shockey..... I've seen him shooting all kinds of game with his Knight. I believe Encore too.
On some hunts in Africa he had hir ML do "magic" with 2 - read two - other guys ready with a double and a bolt - to back him up. And after wounding a buff with his "wonderful" he shot the final shot from a 4x4 chasing the bull..... helped of course by the 3 other shots fired by the PH.
The image of the "perfect hunter" that seems to creep in the less-than-anti-media is repulsive. Not only is hunting a sport but a way of puting food on the table for many people. The main goal is to harvest that animal in a humane manner. Quick and efficient.
Wether or not you see the misses or the wounded animals form the single shot rifles - matters the least. Rarely you'll see them on TV either.
Numerous hunter tried to explain to you the reason for hunting with semis. The questions changed from " would you rather hunt with a semi" to " do you need a semi" ... "is it ethical" and finally to this.
I challenge you to tell me what is you can do with an Encore - ML or any other single shot...... that cannot be done with a semi.
I'd quit worrying about the young hunters, irresponsible or drunk folks just so you can express your views about hunters that choose to hunt with semiautomatics. The association is void and lacks the intrinsec value on a hunting forum. Be sure that other disagree with some things you happen to hold dearly, labeling them unethical, unnecessary...or plain bad.
We're suppose to be together in this. We have enough "urbanites" that don't know jack about nature against us. GTA has more than 6 million people. 1/5 th of Canda. Nunavut has less than 50 000. One vote against the other.... they should tell those guys how to live their lives.
Feel the way you want. I wish there will be no day you'd want to have had a faster rifle for that once in a lifetime when the hair splitting will just be what it is.
bronco_mudder said:The thought behind this was if we're careful with one type of firearm, why aren't we as careful with another?
The diff is when your meat hunting in a camp (8-12guys-15guys?? )
Your expected to down up to the camp limit of 8-12-15 deer !
At one time if possible,
one at a time is ok too!When trophy or hunting by yourself there's no pressure to get any animal you see, you can choose whether to shoot or not depending on game size, shot conditions, or whether or not you feel like packin that day or not!!
Totally diff circumstances
Same as muzzle hunting! Know anybody that drives deer for a black powder muzzle hunt
Most of my hunting is done in the bush so in most instances one shot is all you get. Waiting until you have a shot you are comfortable and confident with is the way to go. I am not saying that I have never had to use a follow up shot but it would be the exception to the rule and the same for most of the hunters I know.
walksalot said:
Diff circumstances, for instance here you may be on a watch in a cedar swamp where visibility is maybe only 50' in any dirrection. 2-3-4 deer come running thru you need to be ready to shoot fast & furious! that's what you expect & that's what is expected of you!
Oviously a muzzle has no place here! would I hunt with a muzz? certainly but in diff circumstances & in a diff manner!
Hunting is hunting...but there are many diff types of hunting, sport, harvest, trophy, specific hunting like bow hunting, muzzle, single rifle hunters, & group hunting!
It's nice to see at least some threads here where we accept there are diff methods of hunting than what we do personally. We see a lot of flamin here because some are not open to other methods! One specific is shooting cariboo from a snowmobile up north! Hey that's what they do for meat, who the heel are we to judge them
To me it all depends on the circumstances and the hunt your on.
When we're out for moose most times we want that animal to drop in its tracks. Alot of the area we hunt has floating bog or real tight growth trees (I'm talking 6" apart spindly pines). If that moose comes out to the waters edge, he need to drop RIGHT THERE, not 100 yds back on the floating $hit. Last years moose was a good example, he came out to the of the bush crossed about 100 yds of bog and stood at the water. Even though my first shot was a kill shot, he turned to make his way back to the bush. I highly doubt he would have made it but for every 10 yards he travels, thats an extra 40 yds for me to drag his quarters over the floating $hit. So hell yeah, I put another one in him and so did my partner. He didn't take another step. We still chose our shots, but follow up shots were mandatory.
For deer (during rifle season), in most cases the only time I've taken a follow up shot was when my first shot was a clean miss. During muzzleloader season there is only one time where I've had enough time to relaod and take a second shot. And of the deers I've shot with my muzzleloader, none have needed a second shot to dispatch them. But then again 330gr of lead tends to get the job done right the first time.
When we're out for moose most times we want that animal to drop in its tracks. Alot of the area we hunt has floating bog or real tight growth trees (I'm talking 6" apart spindly pines). If that moose comes out to the waters edge, he need to drop RIGHT THERE, not 100 yds back on the floating $hit. Last years moose was a good example, he came out to the of the bush crossed about 100 yds of bog and stood at the water. Even though my first shot was a kill shot, he turned to make his way back to the bush. I highly doubt he would have made it but for every 10 yards he travels, thats an extra 40 yds for me to drag his quarters over the floating $hit. So hell yeah, I put another one in him and so did my partner. He didn't take another step. We still chose our shots, but follow up shots were mandatory.
For deer (during rifle season), in most cases the only time I've taken a follow up shot was when my first shot was a clean miss. During muzzleloader season there is only one time where I've had enough time to relaod and take a second shot. And of the deers I've shot with my muzzleloader, none have needed a second shot to dispatch them. But then again 330gr of lead tends to get the job done right the first time.
I'm a firm believer in the importance of the first shot on game. Usually that is all that is needed. However, the best laid plans of mice & Men.........there are times when the inexplicable happens, then a quick follow-up is desirable. I have never felt handicapped by a bolt action [Or even a single-shot like the ruger #1]. Therefore so-called "faster" actions carry little appeal for me personally. I have hunted with percussion front-loaders, and one-shot, one kill has been the result so far. I'm always happy when the game does not go far after the first shot, or drops where it stands, but often, deer will run up to 50 yards after a good lethal hit. Elk can also travel a short distance after such shots, but I have personally never had one go over 65 yards or so. I have also shot a lot of moose, and seldom do they go anywhere after a solid hit in the lungs. But whatever one feels they need, they should use. If fast follow-up seems prudent, then that is fine. My hunting is not usually done in areas where the game might disappear after a half-dozen steps. Regards, Eagleye.
