As the title states. I have a kid who insists that he taken two deer with a Taurus 4 inch .38 cal pistol. It's not that I don't think someone could do it, but he never shoots the pistol. I have hunted with a .44 cal and took a doe about 5 years back. Pistol hunting is not easy, but I practiced all the time with the gun in order to hunt with it. I could never imagine trying to shoot a deer with a pistol that I had no logged many hours throughout the year practicing with. I don't say anything to him other than the standard "Good job", but truthfully, I don't think the kids is capable of making a kill shot with it, even if he did practice. Does or has anyone ever shot a deer with a .38? Personally, I think it's too light of a gun to hunt deer with, but I do know it could kill one.