Is hunting deer with Buckshot ethical?
- Thread starter RMcL
- Start date
Maddog_Enigma
New member
Funny how it's called "buckshot" but you can't use it to shoot bucks. 
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
It's exactly the same as long range hunting in that the "ethicacy" is determined by whether or not you can reliably make the shot, not by the implement used. It's opposite of long range hunting in that the determining factor is not really the shooter but the firearm itself. Shotguns and buckshot will severely limit the effective range but if the shot is kept inside that range then it is as ethical as any other implement.
It is not always legal, however.
It is not always legal, however.
James R. Burke
New member
If it is a big enough gauge, and you know the max distance for a good tight pattern it isl
I've been using Buckshot for over 30 years, and it will put em down when you make a good shot!
I have killed bucks running flat out, or standing still, it doesnt matter, as long as you know your limitations and dont stretch them!
A 12 ga. with a good choke can be very deadly out to 50 yds. or so.
I have killed bucks running flat out, or standing still, it doesnt matter, as long as you know your limitations and dont stretch them!
A 12 ga. with a good choke can be very deadly out to 50 yds. or so.
It could be Ethical!
Can't go into any detail but I have hunted deer with buckshot, in South Carolina. Only because it was the only thing they allowed. Also hunted wild bore in Central Europe, for the same reason. Glad those days are behind me and can hunt deer with slugs.
Be Safe !!!
Can't go into any detail but I have hunted deer with buckshot, in South Carolina. Only because it was the only thing they allowed. Also hunted wild bore in Central Europe, for the same reason. Glad those days are behind me and can hunt deer with slugs.
Be Safe !!!
Last edited:
bamaranger
New member
Legal here
Buckshot is still legal here on deer, as is dog hunting deer as well (not all counties allow dogging deer). Both are seen less and less in my county, even though still legal.
In its heyday, dogs helped recover cripples, and there were often enough hunters involved that a hit deer would get shot at again by another stander as well. Deer were on the run, hits with only a few pellets were common.
Range is the factor. Fifty yards is to long, and many were/are shot at past fifty. I'd have to say that the gun is not the factor. Getting a killing pattern w/ any rig is a percentage game past fifty yards. What matters is the ability/character of the hunter to pass a shot that is out of range.
The onset of deer leases, shooting houses, and the prosperity to afford club dues and rifles in general have pretty much nixed buckshot/hounds and deer near me.
Buckshot is still legal here on deer, as is dog hunting deer as well (not all counties allow dogging deer). Both are seen less and less in my county, even though still legal.
In its heyday, dogs helped recover cripples, and there were often enough hunters involved that a hit deer would get shot at again by another stander as well. Deer were on the run, hits with only a few pellets were common.
Range is the factor. Fifty yards is to long, and many were/are shot at past fifty. I'd have to say that the gun is not the factor. Getting a killing pattern w/ any rig is a percentage game past fifty yards. What matters is the ability/character of the hunter to pass a shot that is out of range.
The onset of deer leases, shooting houses, and the prosperity to afford club dues and rifles in general have pretty much nixed buckshot/hounds and deer near me.
skydiver3346
New member
Is Buckshot ethical?
Of course it is, if you keep everything in perspective. Obviously it is not a long range hunting round. However, I once shot at a doe at an estimated 60 yards (I was younger then) and dropped it in its tracks (1 pellet hit the head), talk about lucky! I don't shoot buckshot at that range anymore.
Anyway, nowadays I use my old Remington 870 loaded with #000 buckshot (pattterns extremely well out of PatternMaster full choke). When mid day comes around, I sometimes go slippping through the woods trying to jump a deer. If it is less than 40 yards, I most likely take a shot if its clear enough. Have taken a number of whitetails this way over the years, (one of them was my biggest buck (10 pt.- 220 lbs.) Yes, the buckshot is lethal at closer ranges but as Clint would say: "A man has got to know his limitations"....
Of course it is, if you keep everything in perspective. Obviously it is not a long range hunting round. However, I once shot at a doe at an estimated 60 yards (I was younger then) and dropped it in its tracks (1 pellet hit the head), talk about lucky! I don't shoot buckshot at that range anymore.
Anyway, nowadays I use my old Remington 870 loaded with #000 buckshot (pattterns extremely well out of PatternMaster full choke). When mid day comes around, I sometimes go slippping through the woods trying to jump a deer. If it is less than 40 yards, I most likely take a shot if its clear enough. Have taken a number of whitetails this way over the years, (one of them was my biggest buck (10 pt.- 220 lbs.) Yes, the buckshot is lethal at closer ranges but as Clint would say: "A man has got to know his limitations"....
Buck shot for close hunting and slugs for long range.
Growing up in the family hunts we would go into the deep thick breyer bush ridden swamps and when the one would put up one of the bucks (that where laying low hiding from us making noise) we would usually come out with that Buck using 000 Buck shot. These shots were very close mostly and in the thicket only a few shot made it to the deer, which was enough to put it down. We would use slugs for sitting in somewhat open area.
I would say it's ethical for a particular method of hunting as long as you use it for short range thicket hunting in areas of high population of people.
Growing up in the family hunts we would go into the deep thick breyer bush ridden swamps and when the one would put up one of the bucks (that where laying low hiding from us making noise) we would usually come out with that Buck using 000 Buck shot. These shots were very close mostly and in the thicket only a few shot made it to the deer, which was enough to put it down. We would use slugs for sitting in somewhat open area.
I would say it's ethical for a particular method of hunting as long as you use it for short range thicket hunting in areas of high population of people.
Last edited by a moderator:
At archery ranges it's sure ethical! I have only shot one deer with buckshot, a doe at about 30 yards, and it picked her up and threw her down! I have never seen a deer floored like that from a rifle or a shotgun slug, but it did the job allright. IMO, if you won't pass on a shot over 40yards, you shouldn't hunt with buckshot. But if you won't pass on a shot thats out of your range regardless of your weapon, then you just plain should not be hunting.
RMcl Love these buck shot post. If you have a long full chokw barrel then buy a good mix of number 1 buck and may be some number 4 buck. @ 2/3' and 3' only. Now get some cardboard box's at a appiliance dealer and start shooting for pattern at 50 yards. You will probably find one or two loads that group tight and near point of aim. Tight should be around 20" at that distance for 80% in that circle. Would might find that the hardest hitting loads are the 2 3'4" . Same powder with a bit less shot . Not every gun will shot well enought to nut with useing buck shot. I grew up hunting south Florida swamps and have made solid kill shots at distances that most would say you can't do but you have to put in the time at the bench. Full chock barrels tend to shoot #1 and #4 better than any of the O shot and a improved will shot 0,00, better than a full. Just try them and see what yours does. Your shoulder will be killed, you do know that?? Buy a rifled barrel and load with buckslammers, Probably cheaper and easier on your shoulder.hehehe
benny7mmWSM
New member
3 in nitro magnum 00 buck super full choke and 6 in the mag..... GIT ER DONE!!!!!
Pahoo - At what point was buckshot the ONLY thing allowed to hunt deer here in South Carolina? Were you on a one of the dog drives on the Savannah River Site?
People have been hunting deer here in SC for years and years with both centerfire rifles and buckshot.
Buckshot is extremely ethical when it is used inside of it's effective range. I've killed deer up to about 60 yards with 000 buck in a 31/2 in 12 gauge.
Rembrandt - I can assure you that buckshot will kill your big bad scary yankee deer just as dead as an arrow or anything else you choose to hunt them with.
People have been hunting deer here in SC for years and years with both centerfire rifles and buckshot.
Buckshot is extremely ethical when it is used inside of it's effective range. I've killed deer up to about 60 yards with 000 buck in a 31/2 in 12 gauge.
Rembrandt - I can assure you that buckshot will kill your big bad scary yankee deer just as dead as an arrow or anything else you choose to hunt them with.
