He may consider it "unethical" due to it not being a one shot kill. I personally won't aim for it because I'm not comfortable with such a small target yet. Now hunting is tough for me right now and I go for the biggest target I can
He may consider it "unethical" due to it not being a one shot kill. I personally won't aim for it because I'm not comfortable with such a small target yet. Now hunting is tough for me right now and I go for the biggest target I can
We all miss, and as mrbb said, better a clean miss than a wounded deer that is never recovered. We have almost all had this happen and it makes you sick. I'd rather miss cleanly any day.
The first deer I killed was with a spine shot. I admit it was not intentional though. I shot this deer at 7 yards and didn't know to aim low at that distance then, I do now. Plus I'm sure my hard breathing and shaking hand pulled the shot some.
I'm confident in my shooting but I don't take spine shots either. Not saying that it is wrong for those that choose to do so. I like my deer broadside and try for a double lung shot. I like this shot because it does leave a little room for error.
I may be opinionated...but, my opinion is the only one that matters anyway.
Your right small target if I had it to do all over again I prolly still wouldn't have taken it
Making mistakes is how we learn. At least you learned somthing and didn't have to pay a high price in doing so. Putting a bullet through a small window and putting an arrow through a small window is not comparable in my opinion. I'm sure that this experience will make you a better hunter in the long run. Get back out there and get another crack at him. Just wait for a good opportunity.
I may be opinionated...but, my opinion is the only one that matters anyway.
Glad you didn't! I will never take a spine shot!! I want the most clean, ethical shot, I can possibly get!
Is there anything better than being in the woods?!
To defend myself here, I don't take that shot if it's the only one I have. I don't make a habit of it. Only a couple of times in 40 years have I took that shot. Here is the way I see it. If you miss high, no harm done. If you aim in the right place and your low, you may get a piece of the vitals. You have to take in consideration it's been a long time since I hunted from a tree. I'm talking about shooting from the ground broadside. I never took a shot on a deer from a tree stand as it was walking under me. I wouldn't take a shot if I didn't think I could make it, to me that is ethical. Plenty of guys, and even some on here have admitted to messing up a shot and actually hit the deer in the neck or in the hind quarter. Seen deer with broadheads stuck in their eyes. I don't see the difference.
I have strong opinions about God, Guns, Guitars and Harley Davidsons, I can remain open minded about everything else.
Member of Pope & Young, and Buckeye Big Buck Club.
Member of the Bloody Blazers, 2011-2012 team challenge winners.
Just be glad it was a clean miss. I have no issues with someone taking a spine shot if they are a competent shooter and finish the deer of quickly. It is just something that I choose not to do.
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