Two for One

[Jon P]

I was out stalking recently and ended up by shooting two deer with one bullet, luckily the shot placement on the both deer was good so no welfare issue, it did get me wondering how often it happens and we do not realise. This is what happened, I was stalking down into a small valley, I could see two heat sources in the thermal on the bank opposite approx 80 yds away , I watched these heat sources for 30 to 40 mins, the two heat sources were approx 30 ft away from each other on the same level , the ground covering was white grass and a few mixed broad leaf trees. I had a good 100 ft of bank behind as a back stop. After a long wait one stood up and I could see it was a fallow doe, safety catch comes off but the deer sits straight back down , but this time it’s head was visible, shot taken and the bank explodes with deer( prob 10 deer ) , look though thermal no deer or heat sources in view, I was starting to think I had missed, went over to the area to let the dog have look, one fallow doe dead with a head shot, turn around and there another one 8 ft behind her dead with a low neck shot.. this is the first time this has happened to me, but did get me thinking on how often this has happened to others.
At no time were any other heat sources seen, was also checking with binoculars prior to shot being taken.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

You've got your work cut out for you now anyway. I've seen it happen in video but never in real life. I do wonder what would happen if you shot an in season deer and inadvertently killed another that was out of season.

How would you explain that and would the ranger/police believe you?

 

[Jon P]

You've got your work cut out for you now anyway. I've seen it happen in video but never in real life. I do wonder what would happen if you shot an in season deer and inadvertently killed another that was out of season.

How would you explain that and would the ranger/police believe you?

I did take a video of everything in situ, so I guess if it had been a roe buck as the second deer you could show that. I had a stinking cold on the day and was in two minds as to wether to shot the one, having two down in that area was not good,

 

[zimsim]

Thanks for sharing, that must have been quite a surprise! I have never experienced it personally but your post certainly highlights the limitations of thermal. Despite the 'edge' it gives you, it is far from the panacea some claim, in fact it is surprising how effective vegetation is at masking a thermal signature. While observing my permission from multiple vantage points, I have often watched a barren landscape through thermal, only to find the ground littered with deer as they all stood up from cover an hour or so later .

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Was it a normal or lead free bullet that deflected?
I had this once on roe kids, I shot one which disappeared when my vision returned after the muzzle flash there was a kid standing and wobbling, I took a finish shot and found the first shot kid 10 metres away dead the second kid shot by the finisher had been hit by a piece of rib from the first shot and was stunned like a Norwegian blue even though it was standing well to the side.
Lesson learnt, now if other ones are behind but near I do not risk the shot.

 

[Jon P]

Was it a normal or lead free bullet that deflected?
I had this once on roe kids, I shot one which disappeared when my vision returned after the muzzle flash there was a kid standing and wobbling, I took a finish shot and found the first shot kid 10 metres away dead the second kid shot by the finisher had been hit by a piece of rib from the first shot and was stunned like a Norwegian blue even though it was standing well to the side.
Lesson learnt, now if other ones are behind but near I do not risk the shot.

Lead, 150 g federal power shok in 30-06, I would say the bullet went straight into neck of second deer without deviation of direction.

 

[Bowland blades]

Its not a shot i would have taken . long time back i watched my mate shoot a fox in front of a rhododendron bush not that bir really . fox killed and the ewe that was behind the bush ! As mentioned injuring another deer , as much these devices give us confidence that can be a false confidence .

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Its not a shot i would have taken . long time back i watched my mate shoot a fox in front of a rhododendron bush not that bir really . fox killed and the ewe that was behind the bush ! As mentioned injuring another deer , as much these devices give us confidence that can be a false confidence .

I agree, if there is another animal in the potential vicinity of a deflected bullet, I wouldn't take the shot but OP was hardly to know about the deer behind it. One deer presented the shot with a bank (not a bush) behind it. For all all intents and purposes, it would be a safe shot for anybody to take.

 

[Jon P]

Its not a shot i would have taken . long time back i watched my mate shoot a fox in front of a rhododendron bush not that bir really . fox killed and the ewe that was behind the bush ! As mentioned injuring another deer , as much these devices give us confidence that can be a false confidence .

I would not say the cover was that think, it was no hight then my knees , slightly different to shooting into rhododendron bush, red dot is where I was stood

 

[rem284]

I have had several buy one get on free. Once I had buy one get 2 free. All freebies were unintentional. One case was a string of red deer, shot one in front of me, hoping to get a few but they didn't stop for a second shot. The deer I shot at was 100m away dead on the spot. However about 75m away from her was another hind, dead but gently rolling down the hill. The second hind would have be at right angles to the line of fire. The only damage we could find on the collateral kill was a punctured eye. It does make me think "what is a save shot"

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

I have had several buy one get on free. Once I had buy one get 2 free. All freebies were unintentional. One case was a string of red deer, shot one in front of me, hoping to get a few but they didn't stop for a second shot. The deer I shot at was 100m away dead on the spot. However about 75m away from her was another hind, dead but gently rolling down the hill. The second hind would have be at right angles to the line of fire. The only damage we could find on the collateral kill was a punctured eye. It does make me think "what is a save shot"

Fool me once

Your post gave me a chuckle

 

[Tim.243]

You've got your work cut out for you now anyway. I've seen it happen in video but never in real life. I do wonder what would happen if you shot an in season deer and inadvertently killed another that was out of season.

How would you explain that and would the ranger/police believe you?

How many times in the partridge season have I listened to the shoot captain mention Pheasants start next month.. !!

Quite often it is the people still putting their boots and jacket on who take out a pheasant on the drive...and they were told!!

Work off your theory and the wildlife crimes officers will be going around in circles in every county

 

[SussexShooter]

Had a very similar shot to yours, also on fallow. Broadside shot into a doe which I thought I saw go left into cover, multiple other deer then appeared/ran off. Went to shot sight to find a button buck dead with a neck shot! Shortly after I followed the blood and found the doe 10m away in a ditch.

Obviously it’s not ideal and you wouldn’t take the shot if you knew there were others around, but if you’re out there doing it enough- things will happen from time to time! This was pre-thermal for me so only had my binos before the shot. Clearly from your account the thermal may not of helped anyway!

 

[Jon P]

To those who think the shot should not of been taken , luckily i am no Rolf Harris in more then one way but here is a quick sketch of the layout, I had a pretty clear line of sight for a fair distance and was there 30 -40 mins watching that area prior to the shot. Just unfortunate the deer were bedded down tight in the afternoon.

 

[Chill 123]

I have had 2 for 1 happen twice when stalking Fallow, each time has been a Doe with her fawn. Both times I shot the Doe first and didn't see the Fawn stood alongside her (luckily both fawns were killed instantly}. For people to say, "I wouldn't have taken the shot", If you have a safe backstop and can see no other deer why wouldn't you? Most deer don't stay still for long and often you have seconds to decide if to fire. Anomalies like 2 for1 may eventually happen if you shoot enough deer.
Chill

 

[HonestJohn]

I have had 2 for 1 happen twice when stalking Fallow, each time has been a Doe with her fawn. Both times I shot the Doe first and didn't see the Fawn stood alongside her (luckily both fawns were killed instantly}. For people to say, "I wouldn't have taken the shot", If you have a safe backstop and can see no other deer why wouldn't you? Most deer don't stay still for long and often you have seconds to decide if to fire. Anomalies like 2 for1 may eventually happen if you shoot enough deer.
Chill

Agreed. I always assume a mature hind/doe has a follower with her, and I will wait/observe until I’m 100% she does not before culling. Some get away due to this dedication of course, there’s a flip side to everything

 

[75]

I agree, if there is another animal in the potential vicinity of a deflected bullet, I wouldn't take the shot

Define?! Virtually impossible to say (except on an internet forum for a shot you weren't present for ). If you ruled out all possible "potentials" then you'd not shoot many deer, especially fallow or reds when they're in big groups.

Bullets do strange things sometimes and if you shoot enough deer then you'll have anomalies. Just look on here at all the examples folk cite of neck shot broadside munties etc where the bullet exits through the haunch.

I shot 2 roe with 1 bullet once. I could see both deer clearly in open woodland, good 10 feet clear between them, sound backstop and a range of about 60 yards. Traditional cup and core lead. No thermal involved. A shot I'd take again tomorrow without question.

 

[HonestJohn]

Anyone tried a 2 for 1 on purpose? Come on, be honest!

 

[plonker]

Not sure if its a slip of the pen but you have only drawn a little belly

 

[plonker]

Anyone tried a 2 for 1 on purpose? Come on, be honest!

Yes on muntjac!
One facing uphill and one down hill both broad side, guide said shoot as they were aligned perfect.
Both went 20 yards before expiring.