The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Typical Range of shot (deer and other medium game)

fisherman66 · July 8, 2007, 09:22 AM

FF, I've tracked a few wounded deer for fellow lease members early in my hunting adventures (and recently). It was rare to actually recover the deer. The gut shot ones were the most difficult to track. Finding bits of grass and corn mixed with blood spread over many hundreds of yards is hard on the soul. I promised myself I would do my very best to avoid being behind the rifle in that situation. I've had one flinch where the easy boiler room shot moved to the neck. I was pretty shaken up by that even thought the doe fell in her tracks. I spend many hundreds of rounds with the old 22lr right after that. I also have shunned heavy recoiling rifles ever since. It's just the right choice for me.

Stinger, thanks for sharing your story. I've seen that type of scenario play out several times. I appreciate your honesty and I think I can understand how you feel. I love single shots. There is a nagging voice that says "make this ONE count."

July 8, 2007, 09:22 AM	#14
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	FF, I've tracked a few wounded deer for fellow lease members early in my hunting adventures (and recently). It was rare to actually recover the deer. The gut shot ones were the most difficult to track. Finding bits of grass and corn mixed with blood spread over many hundreds of yards is hard on the soul. I promised myself I would do my very best to avoid being behind the rifle in that situation. I've had one flinch where the easy boiler room shot moved to the neck. I was pretty shaken up by that even thought the doe fell in her tracks. I spend many hundreds of rounds with the old 22lr right after that. I also have shunned heavy recoiling rifles ever since. It's just the right choice for me. Stinger, thanks for sharing your story. I've seen that type of scenario play out several times. I appreciate your honesty and I think I can understand how you feel. I love single shots. There is a nagging voice that says "make this ONE count." __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!