Another buck down, not really hunting

[Guy Miner]

This morning someone reported an injured mule deer in a field in town. Sure enough, there it was, parked fairly high on the grassy slope, where in typical mule deer fashion it could look down upon everything below.

I approached within about 25 yards, it stayed down. Something was obviously wrong with it. They never hang around in broad daylight like this, and it wouldn't even get up.

Cleared the folks away who were gathered to watch, directly behind the buck, in my line of fire.

Shot once with the 16" AR-15, the buck lurched to his feet, popped a second round and the buck dropped dead as a doornail. I can't afford to have a wounded deer running off through the residential area. Both shots were to the on-side shoulder. The little 55 grain bonded core bullets, from Federal law-enforcement ammo, did their job very well once again.

Sad duty. I'd rather there was a way to nurse them back to health, no such luck. This is the first one I've personally shot this winter. Looked like it had probably been hit by a car overnight, not crushed, but badly injured all the same.

All's well I suppose - I don't like doing it, but I'm glad that I'm good at it. Some of the guys really don't understand how they're supposed to shoot a deer and have mucked it all up.

Guy

 

[Elkman]

Guy

I am sure that because of your care and skill that the animal is much better off. As you say "mucking it up" is not an option.

 

[DrMike]

For sure, it is unpleasant duty, but it has to be done. I'd rather do it out of the view of the citizenry, but that seldom appears to be the case when game animals have to be put down.

 

[truck driver]

Yes it is a sad and regretable circumstance but done right.
A friend of mine just recently did just about the same thing but only he used his Mack Vision 80,000lb projectil. He had two jump off a bank in front of him, missed the first one but couldn't recover in time to miss the second one. Couple thousand in damage to his truck and one less deer to hunt.

 

[FOTIS]

Yes it is a sad and regretable circumstance but done right.

I agree

 

[jmad_81]

Guy,
It seems like we have to put a few down a year on the farm as well. Usually ones that look to be hit by cars. It's a sad deal, but the right thing to do. We usually don't have a bunch of people watching though.

A guy sure notices a huge emotional difference when he's hunting and about to harvest an critter, than when he has to put one down.

 

[JD338]

Sad as it is, its the right thing to do.

JD338

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have done it a couple of times and it needs to be done. Best thing is to end their suffering as quickly as possible. You did the best thing! Spectators are well meaning but are always are in the way and don't know what is required mainly.

 

[C.Smith]

Sad thing for sure. Not to sound morbid or anything but did you get full penetration from that bonded bullet?

Corey

 

[sask boy]

Guy there are somethings that just have to be done and I am glad you have taken it upon yourself to do it. It is better when a experienced hunter puts a animal down humanely.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

Duty is duty - and I always learn something too.

Corey - Didn't see any exit wound. Not surprising, a 55 gr soft-nose bullet from the .223 at about 25 - 30 yards, into the shoulder.

Guy