Sad eyes looking up.

PatFord over on 24hourcampfire.com wanted to know

You have shot a buck. Instead of dropping it takes off and when you find it it's laying in a bramble patch with it's head up looking at you. Where do you considder the best place to shoot to finish it off quickly and humanely?


Pat:

That's an easy one to describe, but it is hard to do. It's sad when they don't expire as quick as we'd wish. However, you got him into the mess, and you have to get him out. Call me a crazy shaman, but I usually talk to deer in these instances. I try to assure them that I am there to help them on their way. Maybe it keeps them calm and keeps them from trying to get back up; I don't know. Whatever you do, don't get any closer than you have to. If you're smart, you've approached him from whatever side that would give him the least chance of getting you if he decides to get up suddenly. That's usually from the side opposite their legs.

If his legs are splayed out, he's probably spent. Another minute or two, and you might have found him dead. If they are curled up underneath him in a controlled manner, be very very careful. You have a live animal that has the capacity to seriously hurt you before you can get a shot off.

Should you need to deliver a coup-de-grace, back up at least ten yards, aim for the best heart/lung shot you can manage and crank one off. Figure that all the rules of shot placement that applied when he was standing, apply now. The further away you are, the safer you'll be. Also remember the parallax factor of the scope. I have Weaver swing-away mounts on a few of my deer rifles that let me go to the irons in close quarters.

Head shots are a real no-no. Besides not always working they are really icky when they do.

Other real no-nos:

Don't put the barrel up to the animal. Keep your distance. You have no idea what kind of rock is directly underneath the carcass.

Don't whoop and holler. Stay calm and purposeful. Besides being a bit twisted, it's unsafe. Save that for camp.

Don't move in too quickly. Even with a finishing shot, I've heard of deer that have magically gotten up and run off. When you can touch an eye with a stick or gun barrel, he's dead.

Don't try to deliver the coup-de-grace with a knife. That's not what a hunting knife is for. This is a quick ticket to the emergency room