Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
Last weekend I took a bear, I had to shoot it twice, but upon skinning it, I found a total of five bullet holes. From a very small caliber, no bigger than .243, possibly even .22. Two in the side and one through the neck, unhealed. Stalking the bear, it appeared to be walking a little odd, and had a completely empty stomach, so much so I had to look for it in the gut pile.
I've read in the occasional thread here and there about people finding bullets in elk and moose. I just want to know if this is a relatively common thing that hunters encounter?
Quite frankly, I am appalled that someone, anyone would shoot an animal with such gross incompetence. I am aware it could've been defensive fire, but the angle of the two side shots would imply the bear was broadside/turning/running away.
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
I would not say it’s common but it happens
Unfortunately there are those who push the limits beyond their skill level often because they are trying to create a shot opportunity that really is not there. Some need to worry less about filling their tag and more about doing things right
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
Not common, but does happen.
Hopefully it wasn’t .22 cal in it!
Yes things can go wrong, but agree some as above post, push their limits.
Good thing you took the bear, and congrats.
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
My last moose had a bullet hole through his right paddle..nice bull. .see the reason someone got a little excited.
srupp
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
Two years ago we got a young bull moose that had its lower jaw shattered, not too pretty.
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
You read it all the time on forums 'I took the shot but missed' or 'I can kill anything with my 22_, 24_, 25_, 30_, '
Rarely do we read about wounding shots
But it happens , to most everyone , some time or another
nothing to do with skill level or making an opportunity, $#!+ happens
Quote:
five bullet holes. From a very small caliber, no bigger than .243, possibly even .22. Two in the side and one through the neck,
5 or 3
holes in hide a rarelynever the same size as the bullet caliber due to elasticity
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
If it was a 22lr you should find the bullets as they won't penetrate through a bear.
SB
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
boxhitch
You read it all the time on forums 'I took the shot but missed' or 'I can kill anything with my 22_, 24_, 25_, 30_, '
Rarely do we read about wounding shots
But it happens , to most everyone , some time or another
nothing to do with skill level or making an opportunity, $#!+ happens
5 or 3
holes in hide a rarelynever the same size as the bullet caliber due to elasticity
Two of them were from me, three that weren't.
I could see the entry wounds shrinking, especially if they had time to partially heal, but all seemed relatively fresh to me. It's just the 3 separate shots that confuse me. Either someone was a terrible shot, or this was the unluckiest bear of all time. Perhaps both.
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Salmon Belly
If it was a 22lr you should find the bullets as they won't penetrate through a bear.
SB
I butchered it myself and didn't find any bullets or fragments. Looks like there were exit holes for 2/3 wounds, didn't look like the exits were any bigger than the entrance
Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot