I find myself reading quite a bit on here trying to learn a bit more on the sport, but without a lot of shooting knowledge Im a "lurker" on here rather than a a poster of substance.
I thought I would post a couple of mistakes Ive made in relation to shots I shouldn't have taken.
This is in the hope that others may learn from them.
1) The first deer I shot was at last light and it was a bit rushed, the chap I was with said "quick shoot it you have only seconds" which was added a bit of pressure. The deer died 40 yards from where it was hit. More by luck than anything else. The deer was quartering and the liver was nicked and the kidney smashed so it bled out through its renal artery. Not a clean shot and not something I was proud of.
Moral of that one, never be rushed or feel pressured into taking a shot.
2) By this time I had my own rifle and had spent a bit of time on the range and had taken a few more deer. I heart shot a hind the day before at 175 yards and the keeper was keen that if at all possible I take 2 deer in quick succession if possible.
The next day we stalked up a gully onto 2 hinds and 2 calfs laying up 180 yards away. I got in position on a ridge and poked the barrel clear of the heather. Eventually one of the hinds got up and I dropped her with a heart shot. Once I was happy she wasn't moving I turned to the calf.
Boom not much response from the beast but sounded like it had been hit. Then it dropped down just the neck and head exposed. I went for a neck shot and no reaction. At this point I was worrying what was going on with my kit and me. Tried again and no reaction. The deer started to amble off up the hill.It wasn't moving well and left a sickening feeling in my stomach.
We got the deer but its a awful position to be in to chase down a injured animal and not something I ever want to repeat.
What had gone wrong?
1st shot clear of heather 2nd shot and 3rd shot I had turned slightly and hadn't realised I was shooting through heather (makes a big difference to POI)
Always make sure your barrel is clear of anything that might deflect your bullet.
I hope my tales help someone one day!
Anyone else with a stalking mistake we could learn from?
I thought I would post a couple of mistakes Ive made in relation to shots I shouldn't have taken.
This is in the hope that others may learn from them.
1) The first deer I shot was at last light and it was a bit rushed, the chap I was with said "quick shoot it you have only seconds" which was added a bit of pressure. The deer died 40 yards from where it was hit. More by luck than anything else. The deer was quartering and the liver was nicked and the kidney smashed so it bled out through its renal artery. Not a clean shot and not something I was proud of.
Moral of that one, never be rushed or feel pressured into taking a shot.
2) By this time I had my own rifle and had spent a bit of time on the range and had taken a few more deer. I heart shot a hind the day before at 175 yards and the keeper was keen that if at all possible I take 2 deer in quick succession if possible.
The next day we stalked up a gully onto 2 hinds and 2 calfs laying up 180 yards away. I got in position on a ridge and poked the barrel clear of the heather. Eventually one of the hinds got up and I dropped her with a heart shot. Once I was happy she wasn't moving I turned to the calf.
Boom not much response from the beast but sounded like it had been hit. Then it dropped down just the neck and head exposed. I went for a neck shot and no reaction. At this point I was worrying what was going on with my kit and me. Tried again and no reaction. The deer started to amble off up the hill.It wasn't moving well and left a sickening feeling in my stomach.
We got the deer but its a awful position to be in to chase down a injured animal and not something I ever want to repeat.
What had gone wrong?
1st shot clear of heather 2nd shot and 3rd shot I had turned slightly and hadn't realised I was shooting through heather (makes a big difference to POI)
Always make sure your barrel is clear of anything that might deflect your bullet.
I hope my tales help someone one day!
Anyone else with a stalking mistake we could learn from?