Running deer

Running shots, off hand shots wildlife don't often accommodate the perfect shot. If I had not taken shots on moving prey or without a brace, I would have come home empty handed more often than not.
 
I have taken a half dozen running deer with 1 shot, they all seemed to be a different situation, not like a full on open Prairie wide open shot.
A few not running fast, more like a trot. But a few were moving the he'll out of the country, and those I lead by 6-7' with a swing follow through shot and got lucky...
 
In my own personal ethics, I simply evaluate the likelihood that I can make a clean kill on whatever I happen to be shooting at. It does not differ from one speciaies to another. There are no hard and fast rules. Each situation should be evaluated on its own, for each individual shooter based on their own abilities. "Running deer" is way too vague. Running towards you, running away from you, running broadside across your path, cover in between, how far away, and exactly what weapon am I using? Only then can I decide whether its an ethical shot for me. A wounded or unnecessarily, suffering animal does not project a very positive image of the sport, even to most hunters.
 
Occasionally, when talking about deer hunting, taking a shot at running deer comes up. I just noticed in another thread that someone thinks it is wrong to shoot at running deer, but not at coyotes. Most of the people that will not shoot at a running deer will shoot at a running rabbit, squirrel, or turkey. I don't get the difference. What is that all about?
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It is about double standards. I see this most frequently with nuisance species. Hunting "ethics" are not equal and often do not apply animals folks don't like.
 
Don't believe in it and won't do it...be it deer, hogs, etc... Just shooting in the general direction of a running animal with a rifle and hoping is not humane in any sense of the word.
 
Where we hunt for the most part is open fields, we walk for our deer.
Standing shots are preffered, I but they are few and far between in my neck of the prairie.
Over the years I have taken multiple dozens of deer. Most of them have been running shots.
We don't shoot at anything, we each de idea if the shot is worth taking after judging distance and position of the deer. Like someone said , if I didn't take running shots I'd be a hungry fellow .
And that being said, the ONLY deer I ever hit and lost was standing when I shot it. It was at the end of the day and getting dark. I shouldn't have shot but I did, had blood and tracked it that night, and the morning. Lost the trail and never found it.
 
I've taken a few shots a running deer, most of them were complete misses (thankfully). That being said, I've only taken shots were I felt comfortable doing so. The only deer I've hit was one that was running straight away from me, (and it was close) I got lucky and hit it in the back of the neck - it was dead before it hit the ground.
 
Best done with a shotgun. Hard to hit with a rifle unless really close. When I say hard to hit, I meant hit good. Not too hard to hit in the gut, leg, etc. with a rifle.

Shotgun is very goods odds for a good hit.
 
Not the overall reaction I would have thought. Once and a while the subject comes up (Range, club, picnic, whatever) and there are usually some people really against it. The weird thing is they never really thought about it and don't know why. Usually they say they will shoot at other running animals with out a second thought.
 
Its a useful skill to have. The whole ethics question becomes a turned table if an animal is clearly wounded and getting away. Now you need to make a running shot to put the animal down. At this point the more velocity and power the better for a possibly farther 2nd poorly placed shot to stop or slow him down. I've seen this done well with 30-06, 257 Weatherby magnum, and 7mm Remington magnum on deer, warthog, and antelope.

I know 2 Alaskan guides who use 338 mag for grizzly wounded and getting away at long range.
 
Bird hunters should find that running shots at Bambi are easily learned. Lead, and follow through as you shoot.

Example; numbers approximate: Bambi crossing at 100 yards. Probably 30 mph or 44 ft/sec. The bullet takes about 0.1 second to travel, as Bambi moves some 4.4 feet. Put the crosshairs about three feet in front of his nose. Don't forget the follow-through.

Not easy-peasy, but quite doable.
 
I have shot many running deer when I used to hunt with my brother and crew. All they do is drive deer. I always came from behind deer and when crosshairs passed the nose and follow thru. I have also snap shot some at close range with my peep sighted 30/30 while stalking. Given a choice standing is best but certain situations never present standing shots. And yes i have had to shot one more than once but not very often.

Mwal
 
I've killed alot of running deer. I grew up in a family of dog hunters. I know alot of people dont like dog hunting but it is a tradition in the deep south. We always used rifles I hardly know of anyone who used a shotgun. It Definetly takes alot of practice for sure. On a positive note if one is wounded it is caught very quickly by the dogs and is quickly dispatched. I only dog hunt with my old man once or twice a year now for ol times sake, mainly still hunt now. It does amazes me how many deer I see lost by people that were standing still in a green field. Honestly when you grow up shooting running game, one standing in a green field is quite an easy shot. But everyone wounds one eventually, if your lucky it's hopefully a clean miss.
 
Easier to give a "Go free pass"_ and allow that un-molested quarry to show up at a later time or perhaps another day. But there are shooters (not hunters) who just can't do that. Its a necessity that they fire no mater what. Believers in: " Its not how you play the game. So long as you win"
I immediately know if I can make that running shot. Others may think they can and wound. If anyone wants to be a successful hunter they have to know when to squeeze that trigger and when not too.
 
And now we are back to "If you don't hunt the way I think hunting should be done, then you aren't a hunter" business, LOL. If you are shooting at bambi, you are a hunter. You may or may not be a skilled hunter, but you are a hunter and you are hunting.
 
Aw, DNS, I figure it's more a case of those who don't think they could make a running shot believe that since they can't, nobody should try it. Same sort of thinking about not taking neck shots, for instance: They say that Bambi doesn't keep his head still long enough for the shot.
 
I shot a running deer in the neck once during a drive. It was running behind a large felled tree trunk. The neck and head were all that was visible. It was a reactionary shot taken without thinking on my first hunt.

Broke the neck and crumpled where I hit it. Still had to have its throat cut.

I shouldn't have taken it. I avoid involvement in drives b/c of things like that.

Everyone was mighty impressed though.
 
The only time I take a shot at a running deer is if I have already hit it once. I'll shoot at them walking, but not running. I don't shoot at squirrels running either since I typically use a 22. It is a safety thing for me on the squirrels. Rabbits.... I have shot many running with my 22 rifle.
 
In many of the areas I hunt here in Wisconsin, if you don't shoot at running deer during the regular gun season, you generally go home empty handed. You either get good at shooting at running deer or again....you go home empty handed. Most of theose running shots are under 50 yards tho, so you don't really need to lead, just follow thru as you shoot, no different than shooting pheasants with a shotgun. Folks tend to want to stop swinging when pulling the trigger, and this is what generally makes for a gut shot. Swing thru and shoot and you either miss forward or get a good hit.
 
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