Simple Yes or No Poll question: Running Deer

No you didn't , Brad.....er, i mean Ty....

 

BOOOM! Well played sir....no had a neighbor sling a couple shots at a running deer the opener here in IN....now granted they probably practice this about as much as I practice peeing into a 100 mph headwind. Just got me thinking what others thought. Kept the weapon of choice out in effort to see if good discussion would occur, because I'll admit it "may" play a factor for some...me I will shoot a walking deer but not a trotting or faster one because I've never practice moving shots gun or bow. Always curious to see thoughts.

 

Coming from a family that has runned deer dogs and still pushes deer with controlled hunts in the hills of Ohio, I voted yes. But it does depend on weapon for me. For a bow, absolutely not for me. I'm not robin hood, I can't even hit a deer standing still. I get the shakes so bad, it bends me out of shape.

Now for a gun, muzzleloader, shotgun, or rifle. I've taken clean kills while deer have been on the run. Now granted, I don't think i've taken a deer on a full out sprint, I don't think I would be comfortable with that shot, given the opportunity. But a trot/jog, done it. In fact, shot both of my bucks that hang on my wall on a trot/jog. One at 50 yards with iron sighted 870 mag and the other with a 7mm mag with a scope at 100 yards.

I can honestly say, that i've never practiced a moving target shot with a slug. I rabbit, dove and duck hunt, so maybe you can find that being a reason of why I fell comfortable and confident in a moving shot. Now obviously there is a difference between a slug and bird shot, but again, maybe being confident shooting a moving object with bird shot helps with any moving object. I don't know the reasoning behind it, just that i've taken many shots moving, and most times don't think twice.

 

Never with my bow. Have and would under the right conditions with my .270

I have much better odds hitting a running deer with my scope than I ever will hunting grouse with a 12 ga.

 

Ha, I'm the same way. I'm a pretty good shot with a bow, handgun, or rifle.......but I'm terrible at wingshooting with a shotgun.

 

I'd take a moving shot with a rifle, but only under the right conditions. Cant be running, open view, etc. Nothing faster than a slow to normal speed walk with a bow though.

 

No with a bow. With my 30-06? In a heartbeat. Killed my biggest two bucks ever on the run with the 06.

 

Running, no way...why, because I'm not a good enough shot to pull it off ans even if I was ( I might be) I wouldn't chance it.

I shot the one last year I entered in this contest while he was walking but not running.

 

I'm the same way with a bow now. I tried to shoot two that were slowly walking with my bow and both ended up shot in the guts. I just won't chance it on a moving target with the bow.

 

Only with my eyes closed while drinking.

Seriously, depends...

 

I'd take a running shot with a gun any day of the week. I've taken 8 animals that way, and all were dead within 100 yds of the hit.

 

Running. NO.

Walking, absolutely, if in an open area, I prefer it with my bow.

Rotate at the waist and follow through just as you would when shooting birds.

 

No I'm not that good of a shot

 

In my younger years, I have shot at running deer with my rifle. Since I don't usually even break the rifle out of the safe during rifle season, I guess my answer is no.

Here's my issue with the running shots. How can you know you have a safe backdrop and know what is behind your target? I'll give you an example. A few seasons back, a buddy and me were hunting on my property. He was hunting in a stand that's about 75 yards from my south fence and I was hunting about 100 yards North of him, pretty much in a straight North and South line. To the south is a large ag field. Someone shot from that field, missed their target and the bullet came buzzing through our timber. VERY close to both of us, I'd say within 30 feet as it was busting through the trees. I'm 100% sure they were shooting at a running deer out in the field, completely oblivious as to what was going on behind the deer in that direction!

So, no I don't take running shots anymore.

 

With a compound, I likely don't take a running shot, but would take a trotting shot if there was a good opening. With a recurve shooting instinctively, once upon a time I would have take a running shot w/in 20 yards. Used to practice that all the time, and was pretty consistent. Haven't practiced with a traditional bow in many years, but in days of yore I would have taken a running shot with supreme confidence.

With a gun, it totally depends on if I have just a scoped weapon or one with rifle style or a red dot. With a scope, I can't seem to keep them in the reticle on the move. Rifle style or red dot I'm good on the run out to 75-100yds. Shot my first buck ever through the heart on a dead run at 60 with a smooth bore 20ga slug gun with rifle sights.

 

I voted no but then I have special powers to stop deer at my whim:p

 

No not now. First buck I took was with a running shot . he was chasing doe did not even slow down. After I shot him I knew I should not have done it even though he fell where he got hit.

 

Because others are posting...I'm adding the same. With a bow; never. I still have yet to shoot one that was standing still. The opportunity has never risen. With my slug gun or 243 - yes. I shot a doe at a run and dropped her in her tracks. Shot my buck in IL last year when he was on the move (not a run). So yes, it does depend. If the circumstance is right for a run shot I will take it with a gun.

 

Trot, yes. Flat out run? No

 

With a slug gun absolutely