Dispatching deer with a knife?

[Tim.243]

The principal is the same, just the speed differs

With the Blackfeet Bow Tribe they and the rest of us need a clear line of sight to make it work first time
As often the run and end up in a mess of branches also time is key, I can't see Robbin Hood getting out the pruning sheers to get a clear path as he would be all a quiver

 

[tackb]

My understanding is in shotguns (although I know very little about shotgun ballistics admittedly) Tungsten Matrix and Bismuth perform just as well if not better than lead.

Sorry you misunderstand me , I was referring to rifles and shotguns

 

[NP435]

I'm a bit surprised find that the best practice guides appear to have been updated to remove the method of use of knife. This is both in Scotland and England. Sometimes/rarely it
is not appropriate to use your rifle, so the correct use of knife should be defined - even if it is to say you should never attempt to go for the atlas joint (just ask @VSS )

Having said that I'm trying to recall the few occasions where I have used a knife and wondering if I couldn't have used the rifle instead...

My question is if it was appropriate to use the rifle in the first place why would it not be to finish the deer?

 

[Mungo]

My question is if it was appropriate to use the rifle in the first place why would it not be to finish the deer?

Wounded deer needing to be despatched are often in places where getting a safe backstop isn’t possible.

An example: I was called out to despatch a roe buck that had got itself impaled on the railing hidden in the hedge between two suburban gardens. The railing was stuck through its haunch, massive wound with copious blood loss. It was flailing about - so no still shot. Houses all around, within 30m.

Absolutely no way you’d use a rifle there.

 

[Mungo]

Given the archery seasons in the USA and their modern bows and arrows they can and do deliver chest shots that are as humane as a rifle.

I spent a field season doing vegetation surveys in the woods of West Virginia.

We found tens of deer skeletons or decomposing carcasses with arrows in them.

I have no doubt that archery is effective and humane when done by someone who practices A LOT, with appropriate equipment, and who limits their shots to sensible ranges in sensible conditions.

But no amount of practice and modern equipment will cancel out basic physics. No bow will ever deliver the energy or accuracy of a centre fire rifle.

I shoot in field archery competitions, so I do have some awareness here. I think that with enough practice, the right gear and the right conditions, I’d be confident killing a roe deer with my bow. But I would expect it to run, and there is absolutely no way I would be able to replicate the instant death we so often see with a well placed rifle shot.

 

[Cris]

Can’t believe this thread has got to six pages. If you have ever had to use a knife its not something you wang to do again in a hurry.

 

[sikamalc]

Over my 45 some years stalking with clients, I have had to use a knife a few times to dispatch a wounded deer. Every situation is different, and I would certainly be careful about using a knife to dispatch a large stag. In fact I never have. Iv'e always used a pistol or got the client to shoot the animal again.

If you are using a knife I would cut the throat to dispatch it. Even small deer such as CWD and Muntjac can be an issue. I hate doing it to be honest. In some instances they start to scream, especially CWD. I prefer to shoot them again if possible, rather than use a knife.

In all years of guiding and managing deer over all environments and all species, its a part of the job that I hate doing.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

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

How old were you when the pistol ban happened in 1996-7?
BTW, I do have a .410 insert for my 12G firearms and a .357 magnum insert for my 20G/.22 mag o/u here in Germany. So far they are there but have never been needed.

 

[Tim.243]

How old were you when the pistol ban happened in 1996-7?
BTW, I do have a .410 insert for my 12G firearms and a .357 magnum insert for my 20G/.22 mag o/u here in Germany. So far they are there but have never been needed.

As I posted earlier if I was offered a despatch pistol slot for my FAC I have no want/need for one even as a gift.
1996/7 35
I made my Dads 12/28b inserts from en16

 

[Selous]

My question is if it was appropriate to use the rifle in the first place why would it not be to finish the deer?

This is principally about operator safety whilst minimising unnecessary suffering ….. when discharging a deer rifle at close range the risk of subsurface ricochet and of airborne secondary missiles can be substantial, particularly in areas where topsoil is thin or non-existent. The depth of topsoil can never be predicted. Even on a firing range with carefully controlled conditions there is a minimum safe distance that a centrefire rifle suitable for deer can be discharged at. My recollection from my RSO course is that the minimum distance is 50m although DMQ reduce this to less for the HD component of the shooting test. On the last course I assisted with it was advised the firers wore eye protection. Now if it is deemed unsafe on a firing range with sand backstop it is going to be significantly less safe when in a less well controlled environment at short ranges. Shooting from a distance helps reduce the risk but that is not always feasible due to vegetation or topography. Using a less powerful cartridge with a suitable projectile does help to mitigate this risk to some degree.

 

[8x57]

I've got a lot of experience with pistols, I've personally owned 27 different pistols and shot and competed with many more different pistols over a significant number of years. Pistol shooting is a sport I still miss every day.
I believe that pistols in the right hands can be a very useful tool for humane dispatch, but they are no for everyone. There are some that should never be let anywhere near a pistol no matter how much training you gave them.
I keep thinking of the comment made by my 11 year old granddaughter's teacher when discussing a future adventure holiday with the school. One of the activities that she has opted for is rifle shooting. His comment was "Rifle shooting - I don't trust her with a pencil"

What I don't understand is the extreme dislike of pistols demonstrated by some. They are just a tool but not perhaps the right tool for you.

 

[NP435]

Wounded deer needing to be despatched are often in places where getting a safe backstop isn’t possible.

An example: I was called out to despatch a roe buck that had got itself impaled on the railing hidden in the hedge between two suburban gardens. The railing was stuck through its haunch, massive wound with copious blood loss. It was flailing about - so no still shot. Houses all around, within 30m.

Absolutely no way you’d use a rifle there.

In the circumstance you mention I certainly agree no rifle shot.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Here is a video of how to finish a boar with a knife.