TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I once found a twig embedded in a teal breast. No idea how it got the stick in there, but it was there, with the meat grown all around it. Weirdest thing.
Found a surprise in my whitetail
- Thread starter hunter5425
- Start date
I have seen several incidents that put the lie to "grace of natural animals". Like having to cut a deer out of a fence. Or finding a swan that 'almost' made it between those trees...
Stuff happens. Some of it is not immediately fatal.
You're right. A .223 remington loaded with an appropriate bullet that is placed in the right spot from an appropriate distance is completely capable of killing a deer. The issue lies in the fact that 95% of people who try to kill a deer with a .223 will pick a box of ammo off a shelf which is predominantly varmint bullets that'll grenade on impact, especially impact with a bone. Even an ethical shooter makes to occasional poor shot. A cartridge should be at least potent enough to make the kill even if the shot is messed up.
The debate of what is and isn't ethical is completely subjective and everyone has their own opinion. I won't try to make up anyone's mind on the topic.
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I doubt it. Those kind of people use a 270 because Jack O'Connor said it's the best. Or a aught-six because if it was good enough to kill Germans then, by golly, why would you use anything else? Or they just pick ammo with a picture of the right animal on the box.
My brother in law shot a young bull moose while it was running through a cut block. When hung and being skinned out we noticed one front leg had an odd bulge. We skinned it out and the bone between the hoof and the knee had been broken in half, then (we guessed) stepped on and the two ends were forced to over lap. It then healed in that position and that is why the noticeable bulge. Neither my BIL or I noticed any limp while it was running and there was no sign of infection as the leg was clean.
We cut the leg portion out and my BIL took it into the local F&W office for them to examine. They had it X-rayed and the leg had apparently been broken by a bullet passing through. I still find it amazing that the moose could survive winter(s?), predators and the wound and be healthy enough to run on the leg.
We cut the leg portion out and my BIL took it into the local F&W office for them to examine. They had it X-rayed and the leg had apparently been broken by a bullet passing through. I still find it amazing that the moose could survive winter(s?), predators and the wound and be healthy enough to run on the leg.
Ive had my hand cut up badly gutting a deer that had a fixed 3 blade broadhead on the inside of the chest cavity. Just above the brisket area but inside the ribs. Very small diameter arrow shaft broke off completely under the hide. Fully healed over. Blades were still sharp though
powdermaker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
We had a Mule deer doe that lived in our pasture. One front leg was permanetly jammed in the upright position. She lived through three hard winters. I think if it had been her back leg she would have been in trouble though. I have several cases of finding old bullet wounds in animals; We shot a moose that had 8 inches of scar tissue in the hump of the shoulder, parallel the spine. We found a 30 cal bullet embedded in there. I shot a 2.5 year old bull elk with a .303 bullet embedded in its flank. Then last year, we shot a cow elk that had a 6.5 mm bullet in its butt. All three animals were healthy and good eating. I think the biggest factor for survival of a wounded animal, is the time of year. If the weather is cold and there are no flies to lay eggs in the wound, then the animal has a much better chance of survival. They are very tough!
M12shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East St. Paul, mb
I've shot a couple or three whitetail with a 22-250 and must say they were all bang flops...not because i had to but I wanted to. Would I recommend 22 centrefire for deer...not a chance as most off the shelf fodder is inadequate as made for killing smaller stuff. Barnes TSX 52 grain did the trick for me, forget neck shots, put the bullet right behind the front leg and keep shots withing 150 or 200 yards. I'm sure 223 would preform almost as good as the 250
I'm gonna have to disagree with this statement. Never shot deer with a 22...I'm a Blue Eyed Shiek...ain't legal here. But coyotes...uh. yeah.
223 vs M43 is about a draw as far as DRT power... a 22-250 is, like, Wow!
Soooo you’ve never done it, but you can disagree because your experience says otherwise?
Cartridges are a lot more alike than they are different. Bullets and the results produced are FAR more different than cartridge choice, and so very few people understand that it seems.
My experience with a .223, as well as that of a couple new hunters that have cut their first tags on our property, has been that the .223 is a far better killer than the hand wringers give it credit for.
Right behind the point of the 'elbow' and a little up, broadside. Dead deer. Messy inside!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Putting game meat through a bandsaw is a straight rookie move.
I guess if you don't enjoy chops/steaks with the bone in. That is the one thing I miss by doing my own is that I do them boneless. But bones add a lot of flavour and I certainly enjoy a deer steak with the bone in. Not sure why you think butchers using the tools of the trade is a rookie move.
I'm pretty sure they were shot with 270's 
I know #### about butchering, but this guy is a very popular butcher in an agricultural setting. Been doing it for decades, his son at 12 years old would heft the carcasses out of the back of your truck, and skin them for 10 bucks and on into the shop. Full meat locker from oct until some time in jan.
There's this guys place that I can see a mile away across the harvested corn, and then there is the internet.
lazyfarmer
CGN Regular
- Location
- S.W.Ontario
Our group has used a bandsaw for 25 years to cut up our deer, I wouldn't consider us "rookies". Maybe a matter of personal preference , we had one new member who complained he didn't like the bone in, but he had other issues as well and didn't last long.
Agreed a steak without a bone just doesn't seem like a steak and the tastiest part is right at the bone!
Deer chops are the best part!
