bamaranger
New member
bow
I've not shot a deer with a .357, or any handgun despite some attempts at handgun hunts. I've not gotten a shot when I carried the sidearm. I have taken a number of deer with a bow. For me, handgun (iron sights) range is about bow range. That translates into 30-40 yds these days. There was a time when I could bust milk jugs off a rest at 100 consistently with a 6" revolver, and a woodchuck at that range was at some risk. Those days are over for me. I've always limited my bow shots to about 30 yds,and half that is actually my average bow kill.
A deer reaction to the shot firearm or bow, is a varied thing in my experience. I've had deer struck with an arrow, bounce at the strike, then resume feeding, to flop over in a matter of seconds. I've had them crash off in a headlong death sprint as well to pile up nearby. The deer's state of awareness may effect that some, a calm animal MAY react less.....but that can vary too. A gunshot likely is terribly loud to a deer, and I think a deer will bolt at a close shot pretty consistently...but I had a meat buck stop and stand at 30-35 yds this year after a rifle miss, to allow me to tag him on my second shot.
Dropping at the (rifle) shot is always desirable but I do not expect it. I do not advocate head shots to accomplish same either.
I've not shot a deer with a .357, or any handgun despite some attempts at handgun hunts. I've not gotten a shot when I carried the sidearm. I have taken a number of deer with a bow. For me, handgun (iron sights) range is about bow range. That translates into 30-40 yds these days. There was a time when I could bust milk jugs off a rest at 100 consistently with a 6" revolver, and a woodchuck at that range was at some risk. Those days are over for me. I've always limited my bow shots to about 30 yds,and half that is actually my average bow kill.
A deer reaction to the shot firearm or bow, is a varied thing in my experience. I've had deer struck with an arrow, bounce at the strike, then resume feeding, to flop over in a matter of seconds. I've had them crash off in a headlong death sprint as well to pile up nearby. The deer's state of awareness may effect that some, a calm animal MAY react less.....but that can vary too. A gunshot likely is terribly loud to a deer, and I think a deer will bolt at a close shot pretty consistently...but I had a meat buck stop and stand at 30-35 yds this year after a rifle miss, to allow me to tag him on my second shot.
Dropping at the (rifle) shot is always desirable but I do not expect it. I do not advocate head shots to accomplish same either.