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Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
#2554675
09/02/11 07:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950
Gravytrain
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Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go? In other words, a big buck is close, say under 75y, but your only shot is in the head because of environmental factors. Would you let him go or take him?
I want to say I'd let him go, but I have not been in that situation. Assume your like me and would rather eat a medium sized doe anyway lol; or say your freezer is full.
Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Gravytrain]
#2554724
09/02/11 07:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,409
Mud Shark
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I think it's unethical to take head shots at deer, but that's a whole different story. But I'd take my chances at a neck shot if I think I could get a clean kill. To me, it's about respecting the animal, nature, and ethics and morals of hunting more than taking the "trohpy". I sure do get excited when I've killed my big bucks, but that's not why I hunt. It's all of the other things that you're able to experience during the process.
If that makes sense.
Last edited by Mud Shark; 09/02/11 07:25 PM.
Mud Shark
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Mud Shark]
#2554727
09/02/11 07:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
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I would shoot it in the face.... let the taxi do his work, and if need be, put a different cape on him.
If it is a trophy, and I want it, I will take the first kill zone my cross hairs land on.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2554738
09/02/11 07:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 318
duke08
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#2554745
09/02/11 07:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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I would not take that shot because of the risks involved. That would allow me to continue to hunt that buck for the rest of the season.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: stxranchman]
#2554920
09/02/11 08:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124
LandPirate
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I don't take chancey shots on game animals. I'm very confident in my abilities but I also realize that things go wrong sometimes. A deer's head is always moving. What if he moved as the trigger breaks and you blow his jaw off. I'd feel pretty carppy about it. Not worth it.
Last edited by LandPirate; 09/02/11 08:52 PM.
Mike Buda, Tx Hunt near Freer
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: LandPirate]
#2554940
09/02/11 09:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 134
Chaser42
Woodsman
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At 75 yards or even 50 yards, if the only true target available was his head...as in head only, no neck, I wouldn't take it. If I had full neck and above, I'd take it. A trophy buck would have my adrenaline pumping and I'd hate to wound it because I twitched or he moved.. But last year, I had two clean head shots on hogs at 150 yards. I guess I'm not as excited about shooting them.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Chaser42]
#2554958
09/02/11 09:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,542
redchevy
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I have never been in the situation where all I had was a Head shot. I wouldnt shoot a buck in the head. But I have shot alot of animals in the neck or as close to the head as I can get in the neck and dont mind at all.
matt
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Mud Shark]
#2554962
09/02/11 09:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
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I think it's unethical to take head shots at deer, but that's a whole different story. But I'd take my chances at a neck shot if I think I could get a clean kill. To me, it's about respecting the animal, nature, and ethics and morals of hunting more than taking the "trohpy". I sure do get excited when I've killed my big bucks, but that's not why I hunt. It's all of the other things that you're able to experience during the process.
If that makes sense. That's my opinion as well. Like turkey beards, I only keep the antlers of any buck that I take for the memory of having done so.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Texas Dan]
#2555138
09/02/11 10:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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About the only thing I shoot now are spike or 2 year old axis. either the head or high in the neck.A lot depends on if you think you will ever get another chance at that deer or not. You are the one that has to make the decision. Do what you think is right and the heck with what others say.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: don k]
#2555156
09/02/11 10:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 533
Kentucky_Windage
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All I can say is I've never been in that situation with any big game animal. In general, you either have a shot... or you don't. More often than not, I've been able to wait for an acceptable shot or work my way into position to take one.
What you define as an acceptable shot is up to you.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: LandPirate]
#2555159
09/02/11 11:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 386
TopGunOchez
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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I don't take chancey shots on game animals. I'm very confident in my abilities but I also realize that things go wrong sometimes. A deer's head is always moving. What if he moved as the trigger breaks and you blow his jaw off. I'd feel pretty carppy about it. Not worth it. Agree... well said!!
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: TopGunOchez]
#2555237
09/02/11 11:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46,950
Gravytrain
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I agree with just about everyone, thanks for your answers.
I have one more question: with a well constructed .308 bullet, would a shot just below the tail (into his exit if you will) pass all the way through to vitals at under 150y?
Bullet's I'm considering are: 165gr Nosler Green Tip *have 150gr Speer Soft Point Boat Tail *have 165gr Barnes TSX Boat Tail *would have to buy 155gr Berger Hunting VLD *would have to buy
Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Gravytrain]
#2555298
09/03/11 12:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 386
TopGunOchez
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More importantly... why would you take a shot "in the animal's exit"? This seems like an unethical shot as well. Just my honest opinion.
Be more specific on the round... .308 caliber could mean many different things. Eg .308, 300 win mag, 300 RUM. A 300 win mag or a 300 RUM with a TSX would definitely go through.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Gravytrain]
#2555300
09/03/11 12:47 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
RanchoStarvo
Bird Dog
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I have no qualms shooting a spike or doe in the head, if you are trophy hunting then you probably wouldn't want to a nice buck.
However, the bottom line on this isnt if you are for or against headshots, but rather what is behind the deer, if all you can see is the head then you probably shouldn't take the shot bc you don't know what is behind the animal.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Gravytrain]
#2555428
09/03/11 02:23 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
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... would a shot just below the tail (into his exit if you will) pass all the way through to vitals at under 150... "Texas heart-shot" ? Only thing I shoot in the head is a rattler...
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: RedSnake]
#2555443
09/03/11 02:31 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 825
Spent Brass
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I want the cleanest, quickest kill I can get. I wouldn't take a head or butt shot on a deer. Necks and heart/lung shots on game. Hogs and other vermin will get it wherever I can get a shot on em.
M2C.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: don k]
#2555449
09/03/11 02:33 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 440
Bonner
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absolutely no head shots (unless its a coon or pig )
Last edited by Bonner; 09/03/11 02:34 AM.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Bonner]
#2555778
09/03/11 07:43 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 844
Jim Davis
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I would shoot it. I dont get "buck fever" like a lot of folks do. I hunt meat, not horns. No matter how much you boil them, they dont get tender, lol. I'll say this, once you "hunt" people, animals dont bring the thrill they used to.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Jim Davis]
#2555829
09/03/11 11:33 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 386
TopGunOchez
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I want the cleanest, quickest kill I can get. I wouldn't take a head or butt shot on a deer. Necks and heart/lung shots on game. Hogs and other vermin will get it wherever I can get a shot on em.
M2C.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: TopGunOchez]
#2556178
09/03/11 04:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 225
Ponyboy
Woodsman
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Woodsman
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I personally wouldn't take a head shot on a deer but I don't care what anybody else does. If you like the shot then take it.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Ponyboy]
#2556455
09/03/11 08:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,469
vanguard
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: Gravytrain]
#2556586
09/03/11 09:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 288
EchoThumper
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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I agree with just about everyone, thanks for your answers.
I have one more question: with a well constructed .308 bullet, would a shot just below the tail (into his exit if you will) pass all the way through to vitals at under 150y?
Bullet's I'm considering are: 165gr Nosler Green Tip *have 150gr Speer Soft Point Boat Tail *have 165gr Barnes TSX Boat Tail *would have to buy 155gr Berger Hunting VLD *would have to buy Man I would never take that shot. If you shoot the exit you'll hit all sorts of things you don't want to have mixed in with the meat you should be eating...
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: EchoThumper]
#2556637
09/03/11 10:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 237
hpd
Woodsman
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Woodsman
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Why is it unethical to shoot a deer in the head? What's the difference between wounding him in the head and wounding him somewhere else? I've never shot one in the head because I've never been in that situation, but it seems to me that a properly placed head shot is going to put a deer down faster than a vital organ shot...someone educate me if I'm wrong.
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Re: Would you take a close distance shot that ruins the trophy, or let him go?
[Re: hpd]
#2556683
09/03/11 11:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,469
vanguard
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Why is it unethical to shoot a deer in the head? What's the difference between wounding him in the head and wounding him somewhere else? I've never shot one in the head because I've never been in that situation, but it seems to me that a properly placed head shot is going to put a deer down faster than a vital organ shot...someone educate me if I'm wrong. i wouldnt say its unethical its just that it can lead to a wounded animal easier than a wounded animal lung shot. the head doesnt sit still and moves around so its just easier to wound one with that shot, timing is everything when taking that shot, when done properly its lights out.
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