http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/deer/articlegad.html
This paper by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources asks the questions that sport hunters argue about incessantly on forums, and attempts to answer them objectively. With data!
Well worth a read. Some forum members will note with the warm glow of self-congratulatory smugness that some of the things we've been banging on about forever are supported by the conclusions (apart from the longer range part of course, which doesn't make any sense). In summary:
Conclusions
This paper by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources asks the questions that sport hunters argue about incessantly on forums, and attempts to answer them objectively. With data!
Well worth a read. Some forum members will note with the warm glow of self-congratulatory smugness that some of the things we've been banging on about forever are supported by the conclusions (apart from the longer range part of course, which doesn't make any sense). In summary:
Conclusions
- Shooting percentages about 82%.
- The farther the shot, the lower the chance of getting the deer.
- Deer ran about 62 yards on average.
- Shot placement is determining factor. All things considered, broadside shoulder shot worked best compared to others.
- About 50:50, deer run vs. deer don’t run.
- Trained dog expedited recovery of all deer that ran.
- Dog very important in recovering 61 deer that left poor/no sign, 24 deer judged unrecoverable, and 19 live/wounded deer.
- Dog accounted for approximately 15 – 20% of total harvest on hunting area, i.e. 75 – 100 deer.
- No difference in effectiveness of various calibers.
- No difference between factory vs. custom firearms.
- Significant difference between bullet types. This study indicates that rapidly expanding bullets lead to deer running less often and less distance and when they run they leave better sign.