Dispatching deer with a knife?

[20-250]

I have dispatched several road casualty deer with a knife. Works best with a helper so legs can have movement limited. I wouldn't advocate poking at the rear of the head looking for the atlas joint in a beast even marginally mobile. Knife in the throat from the side just in front of the spine, cutting forwards and out. Severs multiple blood vessels leading to rapid death, obviously.
Be aware of the issuing blood and don't go to Tesco looking like Dr Crippen's apprentice. I speak from experience...

 

[Tulloch]

I know of two local stalkers who have lost an eye.
Stalkers safety is not taken seriously by police forces in my opinion.

If cops refuse to let you use a rifle or humane dispatch gun tell them to deal with it themselves, I dispatched a Roe Buck in Inverness Academy street a couple of years back, cops didn't even question my methods they were just happy it was done quick .

I know a guy who dispatched a stag in a school playground again no issue, so if the cops are being ****s let them deal with it on their own . In the end your the professional not them.

 

[Jagged77]

I think of it by prioritising the main factors:

1) shooter safety
2) bystander safety
3) animal welfare

The shooters safety always comes first. In this case the safest approach is use a firearm. If that’s the deer rifle then it brings bystander safety into play and the question of what firearm can mitigate that risk whilst still performing the job at hand. The US AVMA (using as an example of best practice with no firearm restrictions as per the UK) support small bore rifle, shotgun and pistols. A pistol would be the obvious choice for a lone deer hunter out away from a vehicle and common practice.

My opinion, I’m not going near anything with an antler, or larger hind with a knife on safety grounds. I’d be reluctant to use a knife on smaller species due to animal welfare. I use my rifle as safely as possible but am super conscious of safety using a .308 at close range and don’t like doing it. A pistol would be a far better option all around.

 

[Tim.243]

You are aware this is a thread about dispatching injured deer whilst stalking ?
You thing dispatching injured deer in the absolutely safest manner is a poor reason ?

I stand by my assumption.

If it was the safest method (small pistol) then it would be a standard across the board but it is not "A Standard" also more paperwork and all the other aspects connected. Most have not got over handing in their (pistols) Next you will want a crossbow as it is silent lol

 

[Rake Aboot]

If it was the safest method (small pistol) then it would be a standard across the board but it is not "A Standard" also more paperwork and all the other aspects connected. Most have not got over handing in their (pistols) Next you will want a crossbow as it is silent lol

God you talk some rubbish

 

[Rake Aboot]

If cops refuse to let you use a rifle or humane dispatch gun tell them to deal with it themselves, I dispatched a Roe Buck in Inverness Academy street a couple of years back, cops didn't even question my methods they were just happy it was done quick .

I know a guy who dispatched a stag in a school playground again no issue, so if the cops are being ****s let them deal with it on their own . In the end your the professional not them.

What have the cops got to do with it ?
They were dispatching deer that they had stalked

 

[Tulloch]

What have the cops got to do with it ?
They were dispatching deer that they had stalked

I was replying to another poster, who mentioned there were locations where they are told by police not use a firearm

 

[Rake Aboot]

I was replying to another poster, who mentioned there were locations where they are told by police not use a firearm

Gotcha
Talking at cross purposes bud

 

[Selous]

If it was the safest method (small pistol) then it would be a standard across the board but it is not "A Standard" also more paperwork and all the other aspects connected. Most have not got over handing in their (pistols) Next you will want a crossbow as it is silent lol

And yet abroad it is very much a normal thing - carrying a pistol for the purposes of coup de grace. Have you considered us in the UK may be well behind the curve and that perhaps it is the safest way to kill a wounded deer at close range that cannot be adequately restrained? You are correct that it has never been commonplace in the UK and there is clearly a number of stalkers who don’t feel confident using them, cannot be bothered with the paperwork or costs, can’t be arsed carrying the extra weight or don’t perceive the tangible risk of a close range back up shot with a centrefire rifle. These are all entirely valid reasons to choose not to own an HD firearm. Equally there are very valid reasons why one of our community may choose to go down the line of obtaining an HD firearm and to use it as and when they deem it to be needed. Saying that you can use a knife instead is not in my opinion an adequate argument.

 

[Rake Aboot]

And yet abroad it is very much a normal thing - carrying a pistol for the purposes of coup de grace. Have you considered us in the UK may be well behind the curve and that perhaps it is the safest way to kill a wounded deer at close range that cannot be adequately restrained? You are correct that it has never been commonplace in the UK and there is clearly a number of stalkers who don’t feel confident using them, cannot be bothered with the paperwork or costs, can’t be arsed carrying the extra weight or don’t perceive the tangible risk of a close range back up shot with a centrefire rifle. These are all entirely valid reasons to choose not to own an HD firearm. Equally there are very valid reasons why one of our community may choose to go down the line of obtaining an HD firearm and to use it as and when they deem it to be needed. Saying that you can use a knife instead is not in my opinion an adequate argument.

Wasted breath trying to convert the anti gun lobbyists

 

[Tulloch]

Wasted breath trying to convert the anti gun lobbyists

Do you know how many times I wish I had a pistol when crossing a clearfell, or when being called out to places for humane dispatch and my FEO advised me not to put in for a humane dispatch pistol , all I want is a little 22 pistol nothing fancy. I have a mate who was told to use an air rifle, a sub 12 air rifle am not sure if that would work but hey lol

 

[stevec]

A friend and I used to be on a humane dispatch list.

We were advised when we started to only use a .410 shotgun. Pistols and shot pistols were discussed but we were told that only the .410 could be used due to the risk to the public of shorter barreled weapons being in circulation.

The group was disbanded a few years ago due to the vet who ran it moving out of the area and their employer having a policy of not having anything to do with firearms.

I have been told that recent RTAs are now attended to by a vet, who uses an injection, then removes the carcass for disposal.

Thankfully, I was only called out twice and a 410 did the job fine.

 

[steve dunham]

Hi guys and thank you for all your comments and advice.
but I think we are getting a bit of topic.
so the general thoughts are if possible stick the hart or go through the neck and out, making Fairbairn-Sykes proud.
After reading the comment by vss I will not be going for the atlas I think.

Thanks again Steve

 

[Selous]

@Tulloch Why did your FEO advise you not to?

 

[stevec]

I would say the neck. More certain.

 

[Tim.243]

And yet abroad it is very much a normal thing - carrying a pistol for the purposes of coup de grace. Have you considered us in the UK may be well behind the curve and that perhaps it is the safest way to kill a wounded deer at close range that cannot be adequately restrained? You are correct that it has never been commonplace in the UK and there is clearly a number of stalkers who don’t feel confident using them, cannot be bothered with the paperwork or costs, can’t be arsed carrying the extra weight or don’t perceive the tangible risk of a close range back up shot with a centrefire rifle. These are all entirely valid reasons to choose not to own an HD firearm. Equally there are very valid reasons why one of our community may choose to go down the line of obtaining an HD firearm and to use it as and when they deem it to be needed. Saying that you can use a knife instead is not in my opinion an adequate argument.

Are you aware as the OP just posted the thread is about dispatching a deer with a knife, now we have moved abroad (yourself) and Rake About is now quoting that I am a anti gun lobbyist

I posted my option which is not to use a knife but to shoot it, I have and will continue to shoot deer twice "especially" big lumps if they lift there head up!
This one at 122kg cold weight so 150+ 14 points dropped in the ditch so only see the back legs (not moving) gave it a few mins and went to check,
.270 loaded and mag back on low, took a look at it it! lifted is head so I put one in it's neck free hand from about 4 yds.





So just except that some people don't need or want one and please stop labelling people just because they disagree. People post asking what type of socks to buy let alone a pistol

 

[Tulloch]

@Tulloch Why did your FEO advise you not to?

Said that it was unlikely going to happen u der current policy and he said that it might hold up my renewal . I am not bothered to be honest they have been real good to me over the years so I have no real complaints

 

[Motard]

Very nice trophy: Congrat..

 

[Heym SR20]

I have in the past used a knife to dispatch Roe Deer. There are much better ways to do things, and if you are deer stalking then you have a much better tool in your hands.

I think time is often the best dispatch tool. If you think the animal may be wounded leave it well alone for as long as possible. Mostly they will curl up and pass away peacefully.

After you have taken the shot, if in doubt shoot again. Generally where you first shoot from is a position of stability, so the best place from which to take a follow up shot.

But by far best is not to take an iffy shot in the first place.

Tracking them with a dog and then all the human presence will just add hugely to the stress levels and in many cases may well push the deer a very long way.

Besides a deer, even just a small Roe deer are incredibly strong, and if in full flight or fight mode they all have sharp hooves let alone sharp and pointy antlers.

Dealing with RTAs is whole separate can of worms of which I have little knowledge or experience. I suspect the dispatching of the deer is the simple bit. Dealing with the police and general public will be the challenging bit.

 

[Overlay]

Very thick skin and a very very sharp blade required, and hope it goes well, if you have a antlered deer in a ditch thrashing about finish off what you started and shoot it again with your rifle if it’s safe to do so, nothing nice about using a blade especially if it puts. A Tyne through your main artery