Famous last words of a trophy fee gone bad, "Don't shoot again... you hit him hard on that first one!" ~ SureStrike

=======

SureStrike's tagline always gets my attention. Is there some bias against putting multiple holes in animals? I'm of the mind that any good taxidermist can fix a hole. I personally blew the heck out of a bear with my .416 Remington Magnum, using Speer 350-grain Mag Tips, and the taxidermist (Hawkins Taxidermists, LTD, in Winnipeg, MB) did wonders.

I generally shoot until whatever I'm shooting at is down. If it's still standing, I'm still shooting and reloading. I don't think I'd be inclined to cease fire on "X" animal just because some guy said "Hey, that first shot was good enough, you don't need to hit him again."

How do you gentlemen feel about follow-up shots?

(It's a slow Sunday night in Vilseck, Germany.)

Russ

I shoot until it's down or gone. Only a fool would advise not to shoot again. Ammo is cheap and we have an ethical responsibility to bring the animal down as quickly as possible.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
I shoot until it's down or gone. Only a fool would advise not to shoot again. Ammo is cheap and we have an ethical responsibility to bring the animal down as quickly as possible.

Pretty much my feelings about it, too, word for word.

Russ

Not only do I keep shooting until it's down, I shoot until it stops quivering and breathing.

I always shoot well enough that I don't need a second shot.

.....oh.....yea.....and the check is in the mail.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
I shoot until it's down or gone. Only a fool would advise not to shoot again. Ammo is cheap and we have an ethical responsibility to bring the animal down as quickly as possible.

I could not have said it better myself. I have not hunted in Africa yet, but of course I think this is the principle to follow in all hunting.

Regards,
Martin

I'm glad that this has got people thinking. I am very free with the bullets.

I've got an Inyala at home with 4 .375H&H bullets through it, including one that exited his nose.. can't even tell after the taxidermist got done with it.(It's a long story.)But the short version is he went down to the shot and as I saddled up to him to admire my trophy he came back to life that's when the gunfight started...

But I've actually heard a PH holler at a client "Don't shot again,,you hit him hard on that first one". And as I state if you want to watch a trophy fee get paid for an animal not recovered then by all means feel free to "admire" your first shot. Which is exatcley what happened on the zebra that this client hit so "hard" on his first shot.

It has beeen my experience that only the most neophite hunters are worried about one shot kills at all costs.

We all strive for a quick clean kill and if that happens on the first shot GREAT good job' but if the critter offers another shot after the first one you'd better take it or you may be sorry. And on DG sorry may be the least of your problems.

Greg Allyn

I like to shoot early and often. When we are out deer hunting, I'll shoot a coyote or a turkey if given the chance. I swear it calls the deer out. The must think I'm out of ammo or something.

My hunting buddies says that it sounds like Vietnam from my hunting spot. But I am generally the one that always comes back with something.

quote:

"Don't shoot again...you hit him hard on that first one!"

I have heard that before as well or some variation of it. Three out of the four times I have heard it I have watched someones "trophy" head out of sight over the next hill never to be seen by us again. I agree with you guys 100%. Shoot until it goes down and stays down. If it is dangerous game put another one in the spine at that point just for insurance.

I actually get criticized a bit from some of my moose hunting mates for putting in a bullet or 2 more than needed. I have the habit of firing until I can see that the animal is on its way down for sure. And I'd rather do that then have a wounded animal continue in pain for who knows how long, and with a difficult time for us going after it to get it down for good. Since we hunt the moose for meat, my hunting ethic precautions are not always appreciated by the other guys who feel I'm wasting a few kilos of mincemeat... They often prefer to "admire the shot". Even though this sometimes creates trouble.

I will however continue to do what I feel is right.

In africa, I've never had a PH tell me to stop shooting.

I have never had a problem with that issue. As a long time highpower rifle competitor (with bolt action rifles, I might add), cycling the bolt to reload and shooting again and again as long as the target is visible is instinctive.

I've heard those words twice while hunting buffalo and they made damn good sense under both sets of circumstances. Experience can be displayed in many forms. Think about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Nickudu:
I've heard those words twice while hunting buffalo and they made damn good sense under both sets of circumstances.

What were the circumstances?

Russ

quote:

Originally posted by Nickudu:
I've heard those words twice while hunting buffalo and they made damn good sense under both sets of circumstances. Experience can be displayed in many forms. Think about it.

I'm guessing that you are thinking of a situation where other potentially dangerous animals are near (buff or elephant), and silence is better than firing shots that will attract attention to oneself?

And I can understand that. But generally speaking, with non dangerous game I would still prefer to shoot. If you are thinking of something else, please tell us.

Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice..

Don't shoot again ? That reminds me of an incident recorded in our county's history. A hunter decided to hunt bear with pistols [1800s] Shoots bear, bear goes down.The bragging type,he sits astride the "dead" bear bragging to his friends.Bear wakes up -bear runs in one direction ,hunter in the other!!

If you are talking about Africa then you can not bring the meat home it is usually sold. You do not get the money the land owner or some one other then you does so keep shooting!!!! Over here you get the meat but ten pounds of wasted meat is better then a lost and waisted animal so again keep shooting!!!!
We all like to say we only need one shot but stuff goes wrong so if it is wheels down shoot again, wheels up watch, be ready and, well maby plug it again especially if it can eat, stomp or gore you. I only need one shot but just in case I have a few more!

You guys are making me feel less self conscious about my Murray Bandalero.

Maybe Nick is assuming that there is something behind the target which could catch a bullet.

Actually this did happen to me once with non DG game, a Zebra. I shot the Zebra exactly where the PH said to, the others ran off about 30-40 yards, but the one I hit kept bucking in a circle. I was ready to put another one into him, but the PH said pretty much Surestrike's line. I did hold off, and the Zebra did die, probably within 20-30 seconds, but it seemed like an eternity. he did not attempt to run off. In any case, I did take the PH's advice, and have no regrets about doing so. We were certainly both ready for a follow up shot. So, far, I don't remember any one saying that this happened on a DG hunt.
Peter.

I have never hunted in Africa, but I have lost
track of how many times Ive seen whitetail deer
hit and keep running into other hunters who
put it down and tag it. Have also walked up on
"dead" deer and shot them again when they jump
to their feet.

Not that I can't but I hate playing find the Easter Egg (blood trailing) so if it's still standing or for that matter it's head is up then I put lead in the air!!!

I keep shooting on dangerous game until I can see the bottoms of their feet ...

On a meat animal I prefer one clean shot and no follow up...I don't mind tracking them a bit, they don't make many tracks if the shot is right and you use a proper bullet...I see no need to blow an animal all to hell....

blow em all to hell! Never stop shooting an animal that is standing. Why chance it....

WB

Shoot the wiggle out of it...

shoot it again...

wait a few....

stick your knife in it

jeffe

My belief is "If you can see him moving! You can still hit him! Keep shooting!!!"

Only been to Africa once.

Got good hits on 6 animals. The Kudu, however, had not read :The Perfect Shot" and we were in for a long track and several more rounds.

The Zebra went straight down ... literally on his knees. The PH worked me around so that we could see the back of the shoulders and I hit him again for certainty. I understand they can be aggressive when hurt.

The Gemsbock was simply staggered by the imact of a 350 grain .416 X bullet with an MV of 2660 fps. I reloaded and was about to pull the trigger the second time when the PH waved me off. Just as he did, the guy fell over and was dead.

I have no reluctance to hitting one twice, especially if the species is well armed. For meat hunting I'd rather do no more damage than necessary as it robs the freezer. I probably pass some shots that I can't set up to my satisfaction. May not be a perfect balance.

You can bet that I'll do my very best to kill a buf ... and only the PH waving me off for an obvious reason is going to stall my hitting one the second time.

I´ll take Harry Selby´s inmortal advise as per Robert Ruark: kill him with the first shot, and then, when he is dead shoot him again. Then and there when sure that´s dead, shoot him again.

Kill him with the first shot, then kill him once or twice more if you need to.....

AD