Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 25

Thread: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    265

    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.

  2. Site Sponsor

  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    In the bush near a lake
    Posts
    7,198

    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

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    8,515

    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.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Williams Lake, BC Canada
    Posts
    14,170

    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

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    6-09
    Posts
    1,217

    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.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    N. Okanagan
    Posts
    14,182

    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

    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
    Never say whoa in the middle of a mud hole

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    534

    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

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    265

    Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot

    Quote Originally Posted by boxhitch View Post
    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.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    265

    Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot

    Quote Originally Posted by Salmon Belly View Post
    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

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    5,361

    Re: Harvesting an Animal that has Already Been Shot

    Sounds like FMJ's

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •