A Bad Shot - Advice

[sailpunk]

I know no one ever likes to discuss when things go wrong because it is a matter of pride and not causing suffering.

Here is the scenario:

I had a nice blacktail lined up at 100m and and when I squeezed the trigger something spooked it and it bounded. I caught it in the spine right where the rib cage meets the spine and it went down hard and began to spaz with its aft section paralyzed. I couldn't get a clean shot with it moving like that.

I made my rifle safe and ran forward to the deer. I jumped across its chest pinning it to the ground and reached for my knife with the intent of slitting its throat but I looked back and saw my knife with my gear 100m away. I thought of shooting it but it was rocky ground and dangerous. I thought of bludgeoning it but that seemed like it might not work and smothering it was impossible. I twisted its neck to the limit of its natural turn and then crushed it with the weight of my upper body. It was dead instantly.

Why I am telling this story is two fold:

1. Always have your knife
2. How would you suggest handling an unclean kill like this.

I want to learn and be the best hunter I can be and my only other kill was super clean shot so what are the best ways to deal with this type of scenario?

[hunter1947]

I would had backed up 20 feet and put a bullet into its head..

[Haddy]

I wouldn't have left my rifle behind when approaching the deer. Walk up to it and put one in the back of the head or neck. We've all had a shot go not as planned but owe the animal as quick and clean a death as possible.

[Brew]

I would have just shot it again form 10 or 20 feet

[Linksman313]

Every kill shot scenario is different, sounds like you did alright although a little WWE style but you got the job done. I agree with the above posters if possible to back up to safe distance and finish with the rifle. Oh and yes never be without a blade when hunting, see if you can find a sheath that works for you or have one made so that it can always be on your body, even if its not your game processing knife in particular. Good eating!

[squamishhunter]

Perfect time for a handgun, but nooooooo says justine

[fuzzybiscuit]

Way to go caveman all over it...lol.

As mentioned, back up a bit and finish it off with another shot. Too much can go wrong getting that close to a wounded animal with just a knife.

[tyreguy]

Did this really happen or just a scenario. Head moving too much to get a shot so you decided to run over and jump on it?
ive spined animals before and the last weapon I'm thinking for finishing the job is my knife.

[whognu]

agree with the above; in my experience, all animals will settle enough for a kill shot from 20 ' away

even if you need a couple; a shot would always be preferable (to the deer) than the stress from wrestling

and an antler in the eye usually ends poorly

thanks for asking, 'living and learning' makes us all better hunters

[Sambor]

I would had backed up 20 feet and put a bullet into its head..

x2
I would be affraid to get poke by an antler or kicked with those sharp hoofs. My friend got kicked by a deer and it was painful.