Since I am primarily shooting goats, my tactics are different from the deer hunters. I only stalk. But just reading another post, I was wondering about peoples decision after the shot. I go straight to the goat when it falls and cut its throat to kill it (if it's not a vital shot)and bleed it out. Do any of you take this approach on deer? I could imagine the danger in doing this to a buck if you didn't hit any vitals. Just wondering.
I can think of only a couple times in all of my gun or bow hunting where I could approach a still alive deer. All of those times the deer were simply shot again to finish them. Faster, easier and safer than trying to use a knife on them. I have stabbed a hog in the heart to finish it but that was because the dogs around made it unsafe to try and shoot it again.
Mostly to give the animal the quickest death possible. And chances are I am only on a day trip, so I'm also trying to utilize the time I have.
Well it's not that I think there is anything wrong with the way I do it, nor do I think there is anything wrong with the way you do. I've never hunted deer, so it was more or less a poll on how other hunters go about it. Given the territory that I'm hunting in, I'm usually within about 15 feet by the time I can see the downed animal. As much as I love to shoot my bow, it just doesn't seem necessary that close I guess.
There is no way I would ever walk up onto any live deer and try to slit their throat. Those antlers and hooves are VERY dangerous!
I have hunted with a few guys that have finished off deer with their knives. One was stuck in a fence though while we were elk hunting and the guy was afraid to shoot it since he didn't have a tag for mule deer. I have and will shoot them every time. Seems quicker, easier, and safer from my vantage point. I also want to add that I always wait until I am fairly certain the animal is dead. On a definite double lung in the heat I may only wait 10-15 minutes, but that is typically when I have heard them fall. If I see them fall, then I just go get them. If I don't hear or see them fall then the period of waiting is directly relative to my certainty of shot placement.
There's nothing wrong with doing it either way. A bit dangerous if you ask me, I'd hate to get caught up in those hooves! I'd shoot it again in a heartbeat if needed!
As far as bleeding it out, I've never found it necessary to slit a deers throat to bleed it out. I generally field dress my animal (when I know it's dead) immediately and that sure bleeds it out. Much safer and easier to just shoot it again.
I had a buddy grabbed the back leg of a buck that was not quite dead yet. The buck kicked him in the stomach. It cut him open so badly that the only thing holding his intestine in was his hands. Not A Good Thing!! He was lucky that his intestines did go get cut open also. So to your question, NO never grab a deer that you are not sure is dead. My advice is to touch the eye. If the animal blinks it is not dead.
Sure Is an old wives tale!!:d It's surprising about the number of people who still do this. I'm betting lastlonestar won't be doing this though after reading the replys here and what Rut Junkie had to say. Throw another arrow In them lastlonestar, It's your safest bet. Good luck!!
